Baseball Reference Blog
Top 12 Players with Most Postseason Home Runs in MLB History
Posted by Andrew Weiser on November 29, 2023
October. The weather starts cooling down and the leaves begin to change. But most importantly October is synonymous with the Major League Baseball postseason. As we gear up for the 2023 fall classic between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers, we would be remiss to overlook some other notable storylines from the 2023 postseason, namely Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber slugging his way to the MLB postseason home run record among lefties and Astros second baseman Jose Altuve mashing his way closer to the all-time record for most postseason home runs. So who leads MLB in postseason home runs? Let’s look at the 12 players who have touched ‘em all at least 18 times in October.
Manny Ramírez
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 225lb (183cm, 102kg)
Born: May 30, 1972 (Age: 51-149d) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic do
Draft: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round (13th) of the 1991 MLB June Amateur Draft from George Washington HS (New York, NY).
High School: George Washington HS (New York, NY)
Debut:
September 2, 1993
(Age 21-095d,
16,396th in major league history)
vs. MIN 4 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
April 6, 2011
(Age 38-311d)
vs. LAA 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1994 season
Agents: Boras Corporation • Previously: Eric Goldschmidt, Greg Genske, Jeff Moorad
Full Name: Manuel Aristides Ramírez
Nicknames: Man-Ram, Manny Being Manny or Mannywood
Pronunciation: \Ruh-MEER-ez\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
69.3
8244
2574
555
.312
1544
1831
38
.411
.585
.996
154
Standing alone holding 29 October homers, the most home runs in postseason history, is outfielder Manny Ramírez. While the eventual World Series MVP only hit a single home run during the Red Sox’s curse-breaking 2004 championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals, his postseason consistency throughout his career is remarkable. Of Ramírez’s 19 seasons in the majors, he played in the postseason 11 times, competing in 23 total postseason series. His 29 postseason home runs came in 493 plate appearances, good for the standing MLB postseason home run record.
Jose Altuve
Position: Second Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
5-6, 166lb (168cm, 75kg)
Team: Houston Astros (majors)
Born: May 6, 1990 (Age: 33-173d) in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela ve
Debut:
July 20, 2011
(Age 21-075d,
20,011th in major league history)
vs. WSN 5 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2011 season
2023 Contract Status: Signed thru 2024, 7 yrs/$163.5M (18-24)
Service Time (01/2023): 11.072 • Free Agent: 2025
Agents: Boras Corporation • Previously: Octagon
Full Name: Jose Carlos Altuve
Nicknames: Tuve
Pronunciation: \al-TOO-vay\
Instagram: @josealtuve27
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
2.8
49.3
360
6665
112
2047
17
209
.311
.307
76
1062
51
747
14
293
.393
.364
.522
.471
.915
.834
151
129
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has gone yard 27 times and counting in the postseason, which makes him the man who leads the MLB in postseason home runs among active players. Altuve hit his most postseason home runs during the Astros’ 2017 World Series run in which he hit seven home runs across 80 plate appearances in the ALDS, ALCS and World Series. The Astros remain a force to be reckoned with in the AL and it may not be long before we see him overtake Manny Ramírez for the most home runs in postseason history.
Bernie Williams
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
6-2, 180lb (188cm, 81kg)
Born: September 13, 1968 (Age: 55-043d) in San Juan, Puerto Rico pr
High School: Escuela Libre de Musica (Puerto Rico)
Debut:
July 7, 1991
(Age 22-297d,
15,975th in major league history)
vs. BAL 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 1, 2006
(Age 38-018d)
vs. TOR 1 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1991 season
Agents: Boras Corporation
Full Name: Bernabe Williams
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
49.6
7869
2336
287
.297
1366
1257
147
.381
.477
.858
125
Third on the list of MLB postseason home run leaders is Yankee great Bernie Williams. The outfielder spent his entire 16-year career in pinstripes and played in 25 postseason series in 12 Octobers where he hit 22 home runs in 545 plate appearances. His postseason high of six came during the Yankees’ 1996 World Series run. Williams played in six total World Series’ in which he had five career World Series home runs.
Derek Jeter
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-3, 195lb (190cm, 88kg)
Born: June 26, 1974 (Age: 49-122d) in Pequannock, NJ us
Draft: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (6th) of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft from Central HS (Kalamazoo, MI).
High School: Central HS (Kalamazoo, MI)
Debut:
May 29, 1995
(Age 20-337d,
16,671st in major league history)
vs. SEA 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 2014
(Age 40-094d)
vs. BOS 2 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2020. (Voted by BBWAA on 396/397 ballots)
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1996 season
Agents: Casey Close (Excel Sports Management) • Previously: CAA Sports (Jennifer Brasile)
National Team: us USA (WBC)
Full Name: Derek Sanderson Jeter
Nicknames: Mr. November, The Captain, Captain Clutch or DJ
Pronunciation: \JEE-ter\
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
71.3
11195
3465
260
.310
1923
1311
358
.377
.440
.817
115
Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter amassed 20 postseason home runs over his illustrious 20 season career. These came in 16 postseasons over 734 plate appearances. Consistency is key! The Captain made it to seven world championship series in his postseason career, winning five of them. However, he has only hit three home runs in a World Series game, including two during the 2000 championship Subway Series against the Mets.
Kyle Schwarber
Position: Leftfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Right
6-0, 229lb (183cm, 103kg)
Team: Philadelphia Phillies (majors)
Born: March 5, 1993 (Age: 30-235d) in Middletown, OH us
Draft: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 1st round (4th) of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington, IN).
High School: Middletown HS (Middletown, OH)
School: Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington, IN)
Debut:
June 16, 2015
(Age 22-103d,
20,915th in major league history)
vs. CLE 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2015 season
2023 Contract Status: Signed thru 2025, 4 yrs/$79M (22-25)
Service Time (01/2023): 7.086 • Free Agent: 2026
Agents: Excel Sports Management
National Team: us USA (College)
Full Name: Kyle Joseph Schwarber
Nicknames: Hulk, Schwarbs, Warbird or Schwarbie
Pronunciation: \SHWAR-burr\
Instagram: @kschwarb12
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
0.7
11.9
585
3367
115
763
47
246
.197
.227
108
579
104
548
0
22
.343
.340
.474
.492
.817
.831
122
121
The honor of the second most home runs in postseason history among active players belongs to Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber, with 20 and counting. The majority of Schwarber’s postseason home runs, or “Schwarbombs” as his fans affectionately call them, have come from his time with the Phillies and Cubs, although he does have three from the 2021 postseason with the Red Sox. Perhaps most remarkable are his staggering five home runs in a single series, the 2023 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Schwarber turns 31 in March 2024 so it’s entirely possible we see him near or at the top of this list when he finally hangs his bat up.
Albert Pujols
Positions: First Baseman, Leftfielder and Third Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-3, 235lb (190cm, 106kg)
Born: January 16, 1980 (Age: 43-283d) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic do
Draft: Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur Draft from Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, MO).
High School: Fort Osage HS (Independence, MO)
School: Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, MO)
Debut:
April 2, 2001
(Age 21-076d,
17,809th in major league history)
vs. COL 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 4, 2022
(Age 42-261d)
vs. PIT 2 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2001 season
Agents: MVP Sports Group
Full Name: Jose Alberto Pujols
Nicknames: Prince Albert, Phat Albert, The Machine, La Maquina or Tio Albert
Pronunciation: \POO-hulse\
Instagram: @albertpujols
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
- 3x MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- 11x All-Star
- 2x World Series
- 2x Gold Glove
- 6x Silver Slugger
- Batting Title
- NLCS MVP
- 3x ML PoY
Career
101.5
11421
3384
703
.296
1914
2218
117
.374
.544
.918
145
There are currently three players among postseason home run leaders with 19 and the only non-active player of the three is 11-time All Star first baseman Albert Pujols. Pujols’ most homers in a single series, four, came in the 2004 NCLS against the Houston Astros. He was named NCLS MVP after batting .500 and driving in 9 RBI during the series as well. Of his 19 postseason home runs, 18 of them were hit as a St. Louis Cardinal. His lone postseason home run with the Angels came during the 2014 ALDS against the Kansas City Royals.
Alex Bregman
Positions: Third Baseman and Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-0, 192lb (183cm, 87kg)
Team: Houston Astros (majors)
Born: March 30, 1994 (Age: 29-210d) in Albuquerque, NM us
Draft: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 29th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft from Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, NM) and the Houston Astros in the 1st round (2nd) of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA).
High School: Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, NM)
School: Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA)
Debut:
July 25, 2016
(Age 22-117d,
21,201st in major league history)
vs. NYY 4 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2016 season
2023 Contract Status: Signed thru 2024, 5 yrs/$100M (20-24)
Service Time (01/2023): 6.070 • Free Agent: 2025
Agents: Boras Corporation • Previously: Tidal Sports
National Team: us USA (WBC,College,18U,16U)
Full Name: Alexander David Bregman
Nicknames: A-Breg or Breggy
Pronunciation: \BREGG-min\
Instagram: @abreg_1
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
4.9
35.4
622
3576
163
981
25
165
.262
.274
103
615
98
588
3
39
.363
.373
.441
.487
.804
.861
122
135
Another active Houston Astro finds himself on the list of postseason home run leaders as Alex Bregman has hit 19 through the 2023 postseason. It certainly helps to compete for the MLB postseason home run record when you play for a contemporary dynasty. Bregman has spent his entire eight-year career thus far with the Astros and has played in 19 series over seven postseasons. He has also played in four World Series, providing ample opportunities for postseason homers. Bregman has capitalized on this opportunity by hitting at least one home run in 12 of his 19 playoff series. He has also hit three home runs in a series twice, the 2019 World Series and the 2023 ALCS.
George Springer
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-3, 220lb (190cm, 99kg)
Team: Toronto Blue Jays (majors)
Born: September 19, 1989 (Age: 34-037d) in New Britain, CT us
Draft: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 48th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Avon Old Farms School (Avon, CT) and the Houston Astros in the 1st round (11th) of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT).
High School: Avon Old Farms School (Avon, CT)
School: University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT)
Debut:
April 16, 2014
(Age 24-209d,
20,584th in major league history)
vs. KCR 5 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2014 season
2023 Contract Status: Signed thru 2026, 6 yrs/$150M (21-26)
Service Time (01/2023): 8.166 • Free Agent: 2027
Agents: Excel Sports Management • Previously: The Legacy Agency
National Team: us USA (College)
Full Name: George Chelston Springer
Nicknames: Horhay
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
2.1
36.2
613
4512
158
1206
21
242
.258
.267
87
802
72
656
20
86
.327
.354
.405
.482
.732
.835
102
128
Joining Pujols and Bregman with 19, the fifth most postseason home runs hit is Bregman’s former Astros teammate, George Springer. Springer’s presence on this list is due in no small part to his monster 2017 World Series performance where he mashed five homers while hitting .379 on his way to a world championship and a World Series MVP honor. Despite appearing in the 2023 and 2022 postseason with Toronto Blue Jays, all of Springer’s October home runs came during his time in Houston.
Reggie Jackson
Position: Rightfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-0, 195lb (183cm, 88kg)
Born: May 18, 1946 (Age: 77-161d) in Abington, PA us
Draft: Drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 1st round (2nd) of the 1966 MLB June Amateur Draft from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ).
High School: Cheltenham HS (Wyncote, PA)
School: Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
Debut:
June 9, 1967
(Age 21-022d,
12,584th in major league history)
vs. CLE 3 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
October 4, 1987
(Age 41-139d)
vs. CHW 3 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1993.
(Voted by BBWAA on 396/423 ballots)
View Reggie Jackson’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1967 season
Full Name: Reginald Martinez Jackson
Nicknames: Mr. October
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Relatives: Cousin of Barry Bonds
Career
73.9
9864
2584
563
.262
1551
1702
228
.356
.490
.846
139
Rounding out the list who leads MLB in postseason home runs are four players with 18 postseason dingers to their name, including Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson. Jackson appeared in 11 postseasons with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees and California Angels and won five World Series rings. Jackson may have hit even more career postseason home runs had he not been injured for the 1972 World Series. Jackson’s best postseason series came with the Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 World Series. Jackson hit .450 with eight RBI and five home runs in the series, driving the Yankees to a championship and earning himself the title of World Series MVP.
Mickey Mantle
Positions: Centerfielder and First Baseman
Bats: Both • Throws: Right
5-11, 195lb (180cm, 88kg)
Born: October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, OK us
Died: August 13, 1995 (Aged 63-297d) in Dallas, TX
Buried: Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park, Dallas, TX
High School: Commerce HS (Commerce, OK)
Debut:
April 17, 1951
(Age 19-179d,
10,769th in major league history)
vs. BOS 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game:
September 28, 1968
(Age 36-344d)
vs. BOS 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1974.
(Voted by BBWAA on 322/365 ballots)
View Mickey Mantle’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1951 season
Full Name: Mickey Charles Mantle
Nicknames: The Mick, The Commerce Comet or Muscles
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject
Career
110.2
8102
2415
536
.298
1676
1509
153
.421
.557
.977
172
Another Yankee great finds himself on the list of postseason home run leaders with 18 in Mickey Mantle. However, what distinguishes Mantle from the rest of the players on this list is he is the only player among postseason home run leaders who hit all of his before the expanded playoff format. In his 12 World Series, Mantle also hit for a .535 slugging percentage and 40 total RBI. He hit three home runs in a World Series thrice in 1956, 1960 and 1964.
Nelson Cruz
Positions: Designated Hitter and Rightfielder
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 230lb (188cm, 104kg)
Born: July 1, 1980 (Age: 43-117d) in Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic do
High School: Monte Cristi (Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic)
Debut:
September 17, 2005
(Age 25-078d,
18,796th in major league history)
vs. HOU 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2006 season
2023 Contract Status: Signed thru 2023, 1 yr/$1M (23)
Service Time (01/2023): 15.082 • Free Agent: 2024
Agents: Bryce Dixon • Previously: ISE Baseball
Full Name: Nelson Ramon Cruz
Nicknames: Boomstick
Pronunciation: \CROOZ\
Instagram: @ncboomstick23
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
-0.3
42.2
143
7501
35
2053
5
464
.245
.274
9
1090
23
1325
1
84
.283
.343
.399
.513
.681
.856
88
130
Also with 18 total postseason home runs in veteran outfielder Nelson Cruz. The 2011 ALCS MVP hit a whopping six homers in that series with the Texas Rangers, the most in a single series of any postseason home run leaders on this list. Cruz has appeared in seven postseasons with four teams, hitting at least one home run with each of them.
Carlos Correa
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-4, 220lb (193cm, 99kg)
Team: Minnesota Twins (majors)
Born: September 22, 1994 (Age: 29-034d) in Ponce, Puerto Rico pr
Draft: Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1st round (1st) of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (Gurabo, Puerto Rico).
High School: Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (Gurabo, Puerto Rico)
Debut:
June 8, 2015
(Age 20-259d,
20,902nd in major league history)
vs. CHW 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 2015 season
2023 Contract Status: Signed thru 2028, 6 yrs/$200M (23-28) & 29-32 team option
Service Time (01/2023): 7.119 • Free Agent: 2029
Agents: WME Baseball • Previously: The Legacy Agency
Full Name: Carlos Javier Correa
Nicknames: The Captain, Showrrea or I Am Groot
Instagram: @teamcjcorrea
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
2023
Career
1.4
40.9
514
3860
118
1051
18
173
.230
.272
60
568
65
618
0
33
.312
.351
.399
.468
.711
.820
94
124
Finally, wrapping up this list of the MLB postseason home run leaders is another former Astro and current Minnesota Twin, shortstop Carlos Correa. Correa has yet to make the postseason with Minnesota, so we may see him higher on this list at some point. For now, his 18 postseason homers have come in 358 plate appearances with the Astros across 18 series.
During the 2020 postseason, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena hit 10 home runs over 20 games in three series, the most postseason home runs in a single postseason.
No player has hit four home runs in a playoff game. However, 11 players have hit three home runs in a single game. Babe Ruth is the only player to achieve three postseason home runs in a single game two times.
Babe Ruth – New York Yankees (Game 4, 1926 World Series)
Babe Ruth – New York Yankees (Game 4, 1928 World Series)
Bob Robertson – Pittsburgh Pirates (Game 2, 1971 NLCS)
Reggie Jackson – New York Yankees (Game 6, 1977 World Series)
George Brett – Kansas City Royals (Game 3, 1978 ALCS)
Adam Kennedy – Anaheim Angels (Game 5, 2002 ALCS)
Adrian Beltre – Texas Rangers (Game 4, 2011 ALDS)
Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals (Game 3, 2011 World Series)
Pablo Sandoval – San Francisco Giants (Game 1, 2012 World Series)
Jose Altuve – Houston Astros (Game 1, 2017 ALDS)
Enrique Hernandez – Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 5, 2017 NLCS)
Chris Taylor – Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 5, 2021 NLCS)
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