What are the best records in modern MLB history?

Unmatched Feats: Modern MLB Records That Redefine Greatness

Modern baseball, spanning roughly from 1961 onward with the expansion era, has seen records that push the limits of endurance, skill, and evolution in the sport. These aren’t dusty stats from the dead-ball era—they’re the real benchmarks set in an age of pitch tracking, media pressure, and steroid scandals. Here’s a breakdown of the most astonishing and unshakable records from the modern era as of September 5, 2025.

Single-Season Home Run Record

Barry Bonds — 73 Home Runs (2001)

No one has hit more home runs in a single season than Barry Bonds did in 2001. Whether you view it through the lens of performance-enhancing drug controversies or not, 73 home runs is a monstrous achievement. Pitchers avoided him, fans packed stadiums, and he still broke the record. The previous mark of 70 by Mark McGwire in 1998 already seemed out of reach, but Bonds obliterated it.

Consecutive Games Played

Cal Ripken Jr. — 2,632 Games (1982–1998)

This isn’t just a record—it’s a monument. Cal Ripken Jr.’s streak broke Lou Gehrig’s longstanding 2,130 games in 1995, but he didn’t stop there. Ripken kept going for another 500 games, finally ending the streak on his own terms. No modern player has come close. Given the era of load management and analytics-driven rest, this record likely stands forever.

Strikeouts in a Season

Matt Olson — 238 Strikeouts (2023)

Yes, it’s a negative stat, but it’s telling. Matt Olson set the modern single-season strikeout record in 2023. This reflects how much the game has changed, with launch angles and uppercuts prioritized over contact. It’s a signal of the risk/reward era of power hitting, where home runs are worth the Ks.

Single-Season Batting Average High

Tony Gwynn — .394 (1994)

He didn’t break .400, but Tony Gwynn’s 1994 season deserves a spotlight. The season ended early due to the player strike, but Gwynn finished at .394. In today’s game, where .300 is elite, his nearly .400 campaign is astounding. It was a clinic in plate discipline and bat control during a time of rising strikeouts.

Consecutive Scoreless Innings

Orel Hershiser — 59 Innings (1988)

Hershiser’s 1988 stretch of 59 scoreless innings remains untouched. This wasn’t in the dead-ball era. This was against rosters stacked with modern hitters, with pitch counts rising and scouting reports growing. Pitchers today rarely get the leash to chase this kind of streak, making it even more untouchable now.

Single-Season Wins by a Pitcher

Denny McLain — 31 Wins (1968)

McLain’s 31-win season is the last time a pitcher reached the 30-win mark. In today’s five-man rotations and pitch count era, 20 wins is a milestone. McLain was a workhorse, throwing 336 innings that season. Since then, no one has even sniffed 30 wins, and it’s likely no one will again.

Career Saves

Mariano Rivera — 652 Saves (1995–2013)

Rivera’s cutter, playoff dominance, and sheer consistency make this record legendary. With 652 saves, Rivera redefined the closer role. Even with modern bullpen specialization, no active closer is within 100 saves of his total as of 2025. His playoff resume only cements his status further.

Most Strikeouts in a Single Game

Max Scherzer & Kerry Wood — 20 Ks (1998, 2016)

Roger Clemens did it twice. Kerry Wood did it in just his fifth career start. Max Scherzer did it in 2016. All share the 20-strikeout mark in a nine-inning game. With pitch count restrictions tightening and hitters swinging for the fences, this record remains elite and rarefied.

Longest Hitting Streak

Jimmy Rollins — 38 Games (2005–2006)

In the modern era, nobody has cracked Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game streak. But among modern players, Jimmy Rollins’ 38-game run across the 2005 and 2006 seasons is the longest. Hitting streaks demand consistency, health, and luck. Rollins’ feat deserves more shine than it gets.

OPS+ Single-Season High

Barry Bonds — 268 OPS+ (2002)

OPS+ adjusts for park and league context, and Bonds’ 268 OPS+ in 2002 is unreal. That means he was 168% better than the average hitter. It’s not just the home runs—it’s his OBP, slugging, and command of the strike zone. He had a .582 OBP that season. Yes, .582.

Modern Records Snapshot Table