The article: Joe Bauman, whose 72 minor-league home runs in 1954 stood as a professional baseball record until Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001, died Tuesday. The nit picker: Well, not really. The professional baseball record is 80 HR in a season by Saddaharu Oh, who also has the career record for most homers at 868. I think he must also hold the record for the most unlikely pronounciation of a surname. In China (which is where his passport is from), it is, I have read, pronounced "Wang."
Dr. Bear: I am not sure where you got that info but 55 was the most he hit. Still great for 140 games. See homers by inning total at far right here: http://baseballguru.com/jalbright/ohshrs2.htm
FWD is, of course, right. Mr. Oh behaved reprehensibly on two occasions when American players in Japan were one homer shy of his record, with a few games to go, and playing the team Oh was managing. On Oh's orders, they were either walked or hit by the ball just about every time. (This year, Venezuelan Alex Cabrera also came within one, but he was pitched to.)
Dr. Bear Kind of sad to hear that. Saw Mr. Oh play at oldtimers game and HR contest in San Diego and seemed very gracious. A real fan favorite. I must say his HR totals were very impressive. In a 162 game season he might have avaraged 55 or so a year. Dan
