# List of Major League Baseball progressive career home runs leaders

The following is a chronology of the top ten leaders in lifetime home runs in Major League Baseball. This includes any home runs hit by a player during official regular season games (i.e., excluding playoffs or exhibition games) in the National Association (1871–1875), National League (since 1876), the American Association (1882–1891), the Union Association (1884), the Players' League (1890), the American League (since 1901), and the Federal League (1914–1915).
The list helps contextualize the evolution of one of the most prized achievements in United States sports. In the early 1930s, Babe Ruth had almost 400 more home runs than the next player, his longtime teammate Lou Gehrig; when Joe DiMaggio retired in 1951, he was fifth on the all-time list.

## Career home run leaders by year

Key to symbols in player table :
| † | Player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame |
| ‡ | Player is still active |
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | (tied) |
| 1871 | Meyerle 4 | Pike 4 | Treacey 4 | Bass 3 | Cuthbert 3 | Sutton 3 | | | | | |
| 1872 | Pike 10 | Treacey 6 | Meyerle 5 | Cuthbert 4 | Bass 3 | Gedney 3 | Hall 3 | Sutton 3 | Wood 3 | T York 3 | |
| 1873 | Pike 14 | Meyerle 8 | Treacey 7 | Cuthbert 6 | T York 5 | Wright† 5 | Gedney 4 | | | | |
| 1874 | Pike 15 | Meyerle 9 | Cuthbert 8 | Treacey 7 | Wright† 7 | O'Rourke† 6 | Clapp 5 | Gedney 5 | McVey 5 | T York 5 | |
| 1875 | Pike 15 | O'Rourke† 12 | Meyerle 10 | Wright† 9 | Cuthbert 8 | Hall 8 | McVey 8 | Start 8 | Treacey 7 | White† 5 | Gedney, T York, Clapp 5 |
| 1876 | Pike 16 | O'Rourke† 14 | Hall 13 | Meyerle 10 | Wright† 10 | McVey 9 | Cuthbert 8 | Start 8 | Treacey 7 | T York 6 | White† 6 |
| 1877 | Pike 20 | O'Rourke† 14 | Hall 13 | Meyerle 10 | Wright† 10 | McVey 9 | Start 9 | Cuthbert 8 | White† 8 | Treacey 7 | T York 7 |
| 1878 | Pike 20 | O'Rourke† 15 | Hall 13 | McVey 11 | Meyerle 10 | Start 10 | Wright† 10 | Jones 9 | Cuthbert 8 | White† 8 | T York 8 |
| 1879 | Pike 20 | Jones 18 | O'Rourke† 16 | Hall 13 | Start 12 | McVey 11 | Wright† 11 | Meyerle 10 | Hines 9 | White† 9 | T York 9 |
| 1880 | Jones 23 | O'Rourke† 22 | Pike 20 | Hall 13 | Hines 12 | Start 12 | McVey 11 | Wright† 11 | Meyerle 10 | White† 9 | Jo O'Rourke, T York 9 |
| 1881 | Jones 23 | O'Rourke† 22 | Pike 20 | Hines 14 | Hall 13 | Brouthers† 12 | Start 12 | Wright† 11 | T York 11 | McVey 11 | |
| 1882 | O'Rourke† 24 | Jones 23 | Pike 20 | Brouthers† 18 | Hines 18 | Bennett 13 | Hall 13 | Stovey 13 | Start 12 | T York 12 | |
| 1883 | Jones 33 | Stovey 27 | O'Rourke† 25 | Hines 22 | Brouthers† 21 | Pike 20 | Bennett 18 | Farrell 14 | Wood 14 | T York 14 | |
| 1884 | Jones 40 | Stovey 37 | Brouthers† 35 | Williamson 35 | O'Rourke† 30 | Pfeffer 27 | Anson† 26 | Dalrymple 26 | Hines 25 | Dunlap 24 | |
| 1885 | Stovey 50 | Jones 45 | Brouthers† 42 | Williamson 38 | Dalrymple 37 | O'Rourke† 35 | Anson† 33 | Pfeffer 32 | K Kelly† 31 | Wood 27 | |
| 1886 | Stovey 57 | Brouthers† 53 | Jones 51 | Williamson 44 | Anson† 43 | Dalrymple 40 | Pfeffer 39 | O'Rourke† 36 | Hines 35 | K Kelly† 35 | |
| 1887 | Brouthers† 65 | Stovey 61 | Jones 56 | Pfeffer 55 | Williamson 53 | Anson† 50 | Hines 45 | Wood 45 | K Kelly† 43 | Dalrymple 42 | |
| 1888 | Brouthers† 74 | Stovey 70 | Pfeffer 63 | Anson† 62 | Williamson 61 | Jones 56 | Reilly 54 | Connor† 53 | Denny 52 | K Kelly† 52 | |
| 1889 | Stovey 89 | Brouthers† 81 | Denny 70 | Pfeffer 70 | Anson† 69 | Connor† 66 | Williamson 62 | K Kelly† 61 | Reilly 59 | Jones 56 | Wood 56 |
| 1890 | Stovey 101 | Brouthers† 82 | Connor† 80 | Anson† 76 | Pfeffer 75 | Denny 73 | K Kelly† 65 | Reilly 65 | Wood 65 | Williamson 64 | |
| 1891 | Stovey 117 | Brouthers† 87 | Connor† 87 | Anson† 84 | Pfeffer 82 | Denny 73 | Reilly 69 | Richardson 68 | Wood 68 | K Kelly† 67 | |
| 1892 | Stovey 121 | Connor† 99 | Brouthers† 92 | Anson† 85 | Pfeffer 84 | Denny 73 | Ryan 73 | Thompson† 72 | Richardson 70 | K Kelly† 69 | Reilly 69 |
| 1893 | Stovey 122 | Connor† 110 | Brouthers† 94 | Pfeffer 87 | Anson† 85 | Thompson† 83 | Tiernan 77 | Ryan 76 | Denny 74 | Richardson 70 | |
| 1894 | Stovey 122 | Connor† 118 | Brouthers† 103 | Thompson† 96 | Pfeffer 92 | Anson† 90 | Tiernan 82 | Ryan 79 | Denny 74 | Richardson 70 | |
| 1895 | Connor† 126 | Stovey 122 | Thompson† 114 | Brouthers† 105 | Anson† 92 | Pfeffer 92 | Tiernan 89 | Ryan 85 | Denny 74 | Duffy† 73 | |
| 1896 | Connor† 137 | Thompson† 126 | Stovey 122 | Brouthers† 106 | Tiernan 96 | Anson† 94 | Pfeffer 94 | Ryan 88 | Duffy† 78 | Denny 74 | |
| 1897 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 126 | Stovey 122 | Brouthers† 106 | Tiernan 101 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | Ryan 93 | Duffy† 89 | Denny 74 | |
| 1898 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Brouthers† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Anson† 97 | Duffy† 97 | Ryan 97 | Pfeffer 94 | Clements 76 | |
| 1899 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Brouthers† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Duffy† 102 | Ryan 100 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | Delahanty† 80 | |
| 1900 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Brouthers† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Ryan 105 | Duffy† 104 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | Long 86 | |
| 1901 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Ryan 105 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | Delahanty† 90 | |
| 1902 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 111 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 100 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | |
| 1903 –1913 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | |
| 1914 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Anson† 97 | Pfeffer 94 | Wagner† 94 |
| 1915 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 100 | Anson† 97 | |
| 1916 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 101 | Anson† 97 | |
| 1917 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 101 | Cravath 98 | |
| 1918 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Cravath 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 101 | |
| 1919 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Ryan 118 | Cravath 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 101 | |
| 1920 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Cravath 119 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Ruth† 103 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 101 |
| 1921 | Ruth† 162 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Cravath 119 | Ryan 118 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 | Delahanty† 101 | Wagner† 101 |
| 1922 | Ruth† 197 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Cravath 119 | Ryan 118 | Walker 116 | C Williams 108 | Brouthers† 106 | Duffy† 106 | Tiernan 106 |
| 1923 | Ruth† 238 | C Williams 149 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Stovey 122 | Cravath 119 | Ryan 118 | Walker 118 | Hornsby† 116 | K Williams 108 | |
| 1924 | Ruth† 284 | C Williams 173 | Hornsby† 141 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | K Williams 126 | Stovey 122 | Cravath 119 | Ryan 118 | Walker 118 | |
| 1925 | Ruth† 309 | C Williams 186 | Hornsby† 180 | K Williams 151 | Connor† 138 | Thompson† 127 | Wheat† 126 | Stovey 122 | Cravath 119 | Ryan 118 | Walker 118 |
| 1926 | Ruth† 356 | C Williams 204 | Hornsby† 191 | K Williams 168 | Connor† 138 | Wheat† 131 | Thompson† 127 | Fournier 126 | G Kelly† 123 | Stovey 122 | |
| 1927 | Ruth† 416 | C Williams 234 | Hornsby† 217 | K Williams 185 | Connor† 138 | Fournier 136 | Heilmann† 135 | Wheat† 132 | G Kelly† 128 | Thompson† 127 | |
| 1928 | Ruth† 470 | C Williams 246 | Hornsby† 238 | K Williams 193 | Heilmann† 149 | Connor† 138 | Fournier 136 | Meusel 136 | Wheat† 132 | G Kelly† 131 | |
| 1929 | Ruth† 516 | Hornsby† 277 | C Williams 251 | K Williams 196 | Heilmann† 164 | Bottomley† 146 | Gehrig† 146 | Meusel 146 | Connor† 138 | Wilson† 137 | |
| 1930 | Ruth† 565 | Hornsby† 279 | C Williams 251 | K Williams 196 | Wilson† 193 | Gehrig† 187 | Heilmann† 183 | Bottomley† 161 | Meusel 156 | Simmons† 151 | |
| 1931 | Ruth† 611 | Hornsby† 295 | C Williams 251 | Gehrig† 233 | Wilson† 206 | K Williams 196 | Heilmann† 183 | Simmons† 173 | Bottomley† 170 | Goslin† 169 | |
| 1932 | Ruth† 652 | Hornsby† 296 | Gehrig† 267 | C Williams 251 | Wilson† 229 | Simmons† 208 | K Williams 196 | Goslin† 186 | Heilmann† 183 | Bottomley† 181 | |
| 1933 | Ruth† 686 | Gehrig† 299 | Hornsby† 299 | C Williams 251 | Wilson† 238 | Foxx† 222 | Simmons† 222 | Goslin† 196 | K Williams 196 | Bottomley† 194 | |
| 1934 | Ruth† 708 | Gehrig† 348 | Hornsby† 300 | Foxx† 266 | C Williams 251 | Wilson† 244 | Simmons† 240 | Klein† 211 | Ott† 211 | Goslin† 209 | |
| 1935 | Ruth† 714 | Gehrig† 378 | Foxx† 302 | Hornsby† 300 | Simmons† 256 | C Williams 251 | Wilson† 244 | Ott† 242 | Klein† 232 | Goslin† 218 | |
| 1936 | Ruth† 714 | Gehrig† 427 | Foxx† 343 | Hornsby† 300 | Ott† 275 | Simmons† 269 | Klein† 257 | C Williams 251 | Wilson† 244 | Goslin† 242 | |
| 1937 | Ruth† 714 | Gehrig† 464 | Foxx† 379 | Ott† 306 | Hornsby† 301 | Simmons† 277 | Klein† 272 | C Williams 251 | Goslin† 246 | Wilson† 244 | |
| 1938 | Ruth† 714 | Gehrig† 493 | Foxx† 429 | Ott† 342 | Hornsby† 301 | Simmons† 298 | Klein† 280 | C Williams 251 | Goslin† 248 | Wilson† 244 | |
| 1939 | Ruth† 714 | Gehrig† 493 | Foxx† 464 | Ott† 369 | Simmons† 305 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 292 | C Williams 251 | Goslin† 248 | Wilson† 244 | |
| 1940 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 500 | Gehrig† 493 | Ott† 388 | Simmons† 306 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 299 | C Williams 251 | Goslin† 248 | Greenberg† 247 | |
| 1941 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 519 | Gehrig† 493 | Ott† 415 | Simmons† 306 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | C Williams 251 | Greenberg† 249 | Goslin† 248 | |
| 1942 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 527 | Gehrig† 493 | Ott† 445 | Simmons† 306 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Johnson 252 | C Williams 251 | Greenberg† 249 | |
| 1943 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 527 | Gehrig† 493 | Ott† 463 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Johnson 259 | C Williams 251 | Greenberg† 249 | |
| 1944 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 527 | Gehrig† 493 | Ott† 489 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Johnson 276 | C Williams 251 | Greenberg† 249 | |
| 1945 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 510 | Gehrig† 493 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Johnson 288 | Greenberg† 262 | C Williams 251 | |
| 1946 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Simmons† 307 | Greenberg† 306 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Johnson 288 | R York 256 | |
| 1947 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Greenberg† 331 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Johnson 288 | R York 277 | |
| 1948 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Greenberg† 331 | Simmons† 307 | DiMaggio† 303 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | Mize† 297 | |
| 1949 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Greenberg† 331 | DiMaggio† 317 | Mize† 316 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | |
| 1950 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | DiMaggio† 349 | Mize† 341 | Greenberg† 331 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | Klein† 300 | |
| 1951 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 351 | Greenberg† 331 | T Williams† 323 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | |
| 1952 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 355 | Greenberg† 331 | T Williams† 324 | Simmons† 307 | Hornsby† 301 | |
| 1953 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | T Williams† 337 | Greenberg† 331 | Kiner† 329 | Simmons† 307 | |
| 1954 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | T Williams† 366 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | Kiner† 351 | Greenberg† 331 | Simmons† 307 | |
| 1955 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | T Williams† 394 | Kiner† 369 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | Greenberg† 331 | Musial† 325 | |
| 1956 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | T Williams† 418 | Kiner† 369 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | Musial† 352 | Greenberg† 331 | |
| 1957 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | T Williams† 456 | Musial† 381 | Kiner† 369 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | Greenberg† 331 | |
| 1958 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | T Williams† 482 | Musial† 398 | Kiner† 369 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | Greenberg† 331 | Snider† 331 |
| 1959 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | T Williams† 492 | Musial† 412 | Kiner† 369 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | Snider† 354 | |
| 1960 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Musial† 429 | Kiner† 369 | Snider† 368 | DiMaggio† 361 | Mize† 359 | |
| 1961 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Musial† 444 | Snider† 384 | Mantle† 374 | Mathews† 370 | Kiner† 369 | |
| 1962 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Musial† 463 | Mantle† 404 | Mathews† 399 | Snider† 389 | Hodges† 370 | |
| 1963 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Musial† 475 | Mathews† 422 | Mantle† 419 | Mays† 406 | Snider† 403 | |
| 1964 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Gehrig† 493 | Musial† 475 | Mantle† 454 | Mays† 453 | Mathews† 445 | Snider† 407 | |
| 1965 | Ruth† 714 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Mays† 505 | Gehrig† 493 | Mathews† 477 | Musial† 475 | Mantle† 473 | Snider† 407 | |
| 1966 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 542 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Ott† 511 | Mantle† 496 | Gehrig† 493 | Mathews† 493 | Musial† 475 | Aaron† 442 | |
| 1967 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 564 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mantle† 518 | Ott† 511 | Mathews† 509 | Gehrig† 493 | Aaron† 481 | Musial† 475 | |
| 1968 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 587 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Ott† 511 | Aaron† 510 | Gehrig† 493 | Musial† 475 | |
| 1969 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 600 | Aaron† 554 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Ott† 511 | Banks† 497 | Gehrig† 493 | |
| 1970 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 628 | Aaron† 592 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Ott† 511 | Banks† 509 | Gehrig† 493 | |
| 1971 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 646 | Aaron† 639 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Killebrew† 515 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 | Ott† 511 | |
| 1972 | Ruth† 714 | Aaron† 673 | Mays† 654 | Killebrew† 541 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | Robinson† 522 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 | |
| 1973 | Ruth† 714 | Aaron† 713 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 552 | Killebrew† 546 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 | |
| 1974 | Aaron† 733 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 574 | Killebrew† 559 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 | |
| 1975 | Aaron† 745 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 | |
| 1976 –1978 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 | |
| 1979 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 520 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 |
| 1980 –1984 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 521 | Mathews† 512 | Banks† 512 |
| 1985 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | Jackson† 530 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 521 | |
| 1986 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 548 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 521 | |
| 1987 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | Schmidt† 530 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 521 |
| 1988 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Schmidt† 542 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 521 |
| 1989 –1998 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Schmidt† 548 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | T Williams† 521 | McCovey† 521 |
| 1999 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Schmidt† 548 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | McGwire 522 | |
| 2000 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | McGwire 554 | Schmidt† 548 | Mantle† 536 | Foxx† 534 | |
| 2001 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Bonds 567 | Jackson† 563 | Schmidt† 548 | Mantle† 536 | |
| 2002 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Bonds 613 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Schmidt† 548 | Mantle† 536 | |
| 2003 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Bonds 658 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Schmidt† 548 | Sosa 539 | |
| 2004 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Bonds 703 | Mays† 660 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Sosa 574 | Killebrew† 573 | Jackson† 563 | Palmeiro 551 | |
| 2005 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Bonds 708 | Mays† 660 | Sosa 588 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Palmeiro 569 | Jackson† 563 | |
| 2006 | Aaron† 755 | Bonds 734 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Sosa 588 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Palmeiro 569 | Griffey Jr.† 563 | Jackson† 563 |
| 2007 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Sosa 609 | Griffey Jr.† 593 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Palmeiro 569 | |
| 2008 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 611 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Killebrew† 573 | Palmeiro 569 | |
| 2009 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | Rodríguez 583 | Killebrew† 573 | |
| 2010 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Rodríguez 613 | Sosa 609 | Thome† 589 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | |
| 2011 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Rodríguez 629 | Sosa 609 | Thome† 604 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | |
| 2012 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Rodríguez 647 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | |
| 2013 –2014 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Mays† 660 | Rodríguez 654 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | |
| 2015 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 687 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | McGwire 583 | |
| 2016 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 696 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Pujols 591 | Robinson† 586 | |
| 2017 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 696 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Pujols 614 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | |
| 2018 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 696 | Mays† 660 | Pujols 633 | Griffey† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | |
| 2019 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 696 | Mays† 660 | Pujols 656 | Griffey† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | |
| 2020 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 696 | Pujols 662 | Mays† 660 | Griffey† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | |
| 2021 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Rodríguez 696 | Pujols 679 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | |
| Since 2022 | Bonds 762 | Aaron† 755 | Ruth† 714 | Pujols 703 | Rodríguez 696 | Mays† 660 | Griffey Jr.† 630 | Thome† 612 | Sosa 609 | Robinson† 586 | |
    Statistics updated through 2022 season.

## Leadership dates

Starting with Harry Stovey passing Charley Jones in August 1885, there have been seven changes of the career home run leader. Stovey held the title twice, having lost it to Dan Brouthers in June 1887 and then regaining it from Brouthers in August 1889. In the modern era—since the formation of the American League in 1901—there have only been four players who have held the title.
| Player | Became leader | Became leader | Career | Career | Date surpassed | Duration of reign | Ref. |
| Player | HR no. | Date hit | Total HR | Last year | Date surpassed | Duration of reign | Ref. |
| Charley Jones | | | 56 | 1888 | August 11, 1885† | | |
| Harry Stovey | 46 | August 11, 1885 | 122 | 1893 | June 29, 1887† | 1y 10m 18d | |
| Dan Brouthers | 59 | June 29, 1887 | 106 | 1904 | August 13, 1889† | 2y 1m 15d | |
| Harry Stovey | ‡ | August 13, 1889 | 122 | 1893 | June 23, 1895 | 5y 10m 10d | |
| Roger Connor | 123 | June 23, 1895 | 138 | 1897 | July 18, 1921 | 26y 25d | |
| Babe Ruth | 139 | July 18, 1921 | 714 | 1935 | April 8, 1974 | 52y 8m 21d | |
| Hank Aaron | 715 | April 8, 1974 | 755 | 1976 | August 7, 2007 | 33y 3m 30d | |
| Barry Bonds | 756 | August 7, 2007 | 762 | 2007 | — | 17y 3m 2d | |
    † indicates the player hit additional home runs after being passed.
    ‡ source material is unclear of Stovey's home run count when passing Brouthers