Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber started Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays with a bang. The left-handed slugger hit his record-setting 14th leadoff home run of the 2024 season. Alfonso Soriano held the previous record with 13 leadoff home runs for the New York Yankees in 2003.
Schwarber tied Soriano for the most leadoff home runs in a season in Major League Baseball history on September 4 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Roger Centre. He has been on a tear lately hitting seven home runs since September 3. He was named National League Player of the Week for the first week of September.
Schwarber isn’t the traditional leadoff hitter. He’s a power hitter who draws a lot of walks. He also strikes out a lot, but his overall production makes up for it. He’s not the typical speedy, contact hitter. The 31-year-old is having arguably the best season of his 10-year career. Schwarber is slashing .251/.372/.496 with an .868 OPS, 35 home runs and 95 RBI.
Schwarber’s Home Run Success Powering Phillies Toward Division Title
The Phillies hold a seven-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East as of September 10. They’re tied atop the NL standings with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a battle to see which team will be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Schwarber’s success this season has played a large part in the team’s overall success in the standings. His leadoff home runs, and home runs in general, are tone setters which helps the Phillies gain momentum day in and day out.
Schwarber’s historic season isn’t done yet. The Phillies have 17 games left in the regular season. He has the chance to add on to his single-season leadoff home run total and climb up the list for most leadoff home runs of all-time. Schwarber is No. 9 all-time with 45 leadoff home runs. Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson has the most leadoff home runs in history with 81.
Schwarber left Tuesday night’s ballgame with left elbow discomfort. He was 1-for-1 with a home run, walk and two runs scored before leaving the game. Buddy Kennedy pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Phillies hope it’s nothing serious because Schwarber is an important piece in what the organization feels is a World Series-caliber team.
More Philadelphia Phillies Articles
More MLB Articles
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
- Category
-
Philadelphia Phillies
