The list helps contextualize the evolution of one of the most prized achievements in U.S. sports. It is interesting to note, for example, that in the early 1930s, Babe Ruth had 300 more home runs than the next player, his longtime teammate Lou Gehrig; or that when Joe DiMaggio retired in 1951, he was fifth on the all-time list.
Active players are marked in bold italics. Stats as of the end of the 2008 MLB regular season.