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MLB all-time: Top 10 Greatest DH Seasons of All Time, Part 1

By Manny Gómez |
BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 9: Boston Red Sox player J.D. Martinez reacts after lining out against the Astros during the seventh inning. The Boston Red Sox host the Houston Astros in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Sep. 9, 2018. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 9: Boston Red Sox player J.D. Martinez reacts after lining out against the Astros during the seventh inning. The Boston Red Sox host the Houston Astros in a regular season MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Sep. 9, 2018. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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FT. MYERS, FL – MARCH 2: J.D. Marrtinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox talks with former designated hitter David Orrtiz during a team workout on March 2, 2018 at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL – MARCH 2: J.D. Marrtinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox talks with former designated hitter David Orrtiz during a team workout on March 2, 2018 at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

After J.D. Martinez made MLB all-time history by winning the Silver Slugger Award as both a DH and an OF, I began to wonder: Was J.D. Martinez’s 2018 season the greatest single season a DH has ever had? The answer might surprise you.

In order to best evaluate who had the greatest MLB all-time season for a Designated Hitter (DH), I’ve broken down the position into SIX categories:

  1. Must have been DH 51% of games that season
  2. Ability to get on base – On Base Percentage (OBP)
  3. Ability to hit for power – Slugging Percentage (SLG)
  4. Ability to score runs – Runs Scored (RS)
  5. Ability to create runs – Weighted Runs Created Plus (WRC+)
  6. Value in wins – FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (fWAR)

I chose these categories because a designated hitter’s primary job is simply to hit. Therefore, it seems only fair to judge his ability to get on base and his ability to hit for extra bases, thereby creating and scoring runs. fWAR is used primarily as a tiebreaker.

Then, I determined who had the top 10 seasons for a DH since 1973, the year the DH was introduced into baseball.

Now, before the comments reign down on me, let me explain a couple of things. First, In the interest of consistency, I only used FanGraphs to collect each player’s stats. I then transferred this information into a spreadsheet, where I issued each players individual stats a score. Finally, I added up each score and sorted the spread sheet based on total score.

Without further ado, these are the 10th – 6th greatest DH seasons of all time… according to me.

BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 02: Victor Marrtinez #41 of the Detroit Tigers bats during Game One of the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 2, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles defeated the Tigers 12-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 02: Victor Marrtinez #41 of the Detroit Tigers bats during Game One of the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 2, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles defeated the Tigers 12-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

10. Victor Martinez, 2014

Earlier this season, Victor Martinez announced that 2018 would be his last season in MLB, so it’s only fitting that he appear on this list. Martinez has been one of baseball’s most underrated talents since he emerged with the Cleveland Indians in 2002. The two-time Silver Slugger and five-time All Star finished in MVP consideration six times in his career.

While he might fall just short of being considered a Hall of Famer, In 2014, Edgar Martinez Award winner, Victor Martinez put together one of his finest seasons in his 16-year career.  These were his stats:

  • .409 OBP (1st in the AL)
  • .565 SLG (2nd in the AL)
  • 87 RS (14th in the AL)
  • 168 WRC+ (1st in the AL)
  • 4.6 fWAR (15th in the AL)
MILKAUKEE – SEPTEMBER 29: Paul Mollitor #4 of the Milwaukee Brewers waits for the Boston Red Sox pitch during the game at Milwaukee County Stadium on September 29, 1991 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILKAUKEE – SEPTEMBER 29: Paul Mollitor #4 of the Milwaukee Brewers waits for the Boston Red Sox pitch during the game at Milwaukee County Stadium on September 29, 1991 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

9. Paul Molitor, 1991

In 1991, Hall of Famer Paul Molitor led all of baseball in PA (762), AB (665), H (216), RS (133), and 3B (16). That season, he finished 11th in the MVP voting.

Seven-time All Star, Paul Molitor was known for his versatility. While he was mostly a DH, Molitor spent time at every position except pitcher and catcher. He lead MLB in hits three times his career and is the 10th all-time hits leader with 3,319 career hits.

The two-time Edgar Martinez award winner put together the 9th best single DH season of all time. These were his stats:

  • .399 OBP (7th in AL)
  • .489 SLG (13th in AL)
  • 133 RS (1st in AL)
  • 145 WRC+ (8th in AL)
  • 5.2 fWAR (13th in AL)
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1977: Outfielder Jim Ricce #14 of the Boston Red Sox bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1977. Rice Played for the Red Sox from 1974-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1977: Outfielder Jim Ricce #14 of the Boston Red Sox bats during an Major League Baseball game circa 1977. Rice Played for the Red Sox from 1974-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

8. Jim Rice, 1977

Hall of Famer Jim Rice is arguably one of the greatest players to ever live. In 1977, he finished 4th in the MVP voting even though he had more HR, more RBI’s, and a better SLG than those ahead of him. That season, Rice led all of MLB in HR (39), SLG (.593) and TB (382).

The 1977 Edgar Martinez Award winner and 1978 MVP, led all of baseball in HR three times, RBI’s two times, and SLG two times. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in his 15th year of eligibility – a total head-scratcher – having received 76.4% of the vote.

In 1977, these were his stats.

  • .376 OBP (9th in AL)
  • .593 SLG (1st in AL)
  • 104 RS (5th in AL)
  • 151 WRC+ (5th in AL)
  • 5.0 fWAR (11th in AL)
Jim Thhome, DH of the Chicago White Sox singles in what turned out to be the winning run during game action at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois on August 30, 2006. The White Sox defeated the Devil Rays by a score of 5 to 4. (Photo by Warren Wimmer/Getty Images)
Jim Thhome, DH of the Chicago White Sox singles in what turned out to be the winning run during game action at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois on August 30, 2006. The White Sox defeated the Devil Rays by a score of 5 to 4. (Photo by Warren Wimmer/Getty Images) /

7. Jim Thome, 2006

Hall of Famer Jim Thome was one of the most feared hitters of his generation. The five-time All Star finished nine times in MVP consideration and was elected into Cooperstown on the first ballot he appeared in with 89.8% of the vote.

Jim Thome lead all of baseball in HR in 2003 with 47. He places 8th on the all-time HR list with 612. In 2006, he put together one of the greatest seasons for a DH ever. These were his stats:

  • .416 OBP (5th in AL)
  • .598 SLG (5th in AL)
  • 108 RS (7th in AL)
  • 153 WRC+ (4th in AL)
  • 4.8 fWAR (10th in AL)
Rafael Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers watches his two-run homerun leave the Ballpark in Arlington 06 August 1999 in Arlington, Texas, in the the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. AFP PHOTO/PAUL BUCK (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafael Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers watches his two-run homerun leave the Ballpark in Arlington 06 August 1999 in Arlington, Texas, in the the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. AFP PHOTO/PAUL BUCK (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images) /

6. Rafael Palmeiro, 1999

Rafael Palmeiro will forever be remembered for the way he handled himself in the 2005 Congressional Hearings. “Let me start by telling you this,” Palmeiro said while pointing in the direction of the cameras, “I have never used steroids. Period.” That August, Palmeiro served a 10-game suspension for using stanozolol, an MLB banned substance.

If not for that, Palmeiro would be a surefire Hall of Famer today. Palmeiro put together one of the most consistent careers in baseball history, playing 20 seasons with the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs. In that time span, Palmeiro put together ten 30+ home run and 100+ RBI seasons. He concluded his career with a .371 OBP and .885 SLG. He is 13th on the all-time HR list with 569 career dingers, and 17th on the all-time RBI list with 1835 RBI.

In 1999, Palmeiro put together one of the greatest seasons for a DH. These were his stats:

  • .420 OBP (9th in AL)
  • .630 SLG (2nd in AL)
  • 96 RS (30th in AL)
  • 156 WRC+ (4th in AL)
  • 5.4 fWAR (10th in AL)

Next. 21st century face of franchise for each team. dark

Disagree? Leave a comment below or follow me on twitter @wttspod.

Coming up later this week: TOP 5 GREATEST DH SEASON OF ALL TIME

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