As the MLB regular season ended on Sunday, the biggest question was whether Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks grad Giancarlo Stanton would hit his 60th homer of the season for the Miami Marlins. With Linden’s Aaron Judge also having an historically great home run season — in fact, the best rookie season in MLB history — we thought it would be fun to look up all of those from California high schools who have hit at least 50 homers in a single season.
Giancarlo Stanton visited his alma mater in 2015 when a new baseball diamond was built and opened. Photo: ndhs.org.
73 – Barry Bonds (Serra, San Mateo)
Set current all-time MLB record in 2001 with SF Giants. Add asterisk if you wish.
70 – Mark McGwire (Damien, La Verne)
Broke Roger Maris’ record set in 1961 in 1998 with St. Louis. Also attended USC. Brother Dan (the QB) went to Claremont High.
65 – Mark McGwire (Damien, La Verne)
Made a run at his total of 70 the very next season. Also add asterisk if you wish.
59 – Giancarlo Stanton (Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks)
Our 2006-07 State Athlete of the Year has been unbelievable second half of this season for Miami Marlins.
58 – Mark McGwire (Damien, La Verne)
The year before he hit 70, the big red-head knocked them out routinely in 1997 also with Cardinals.
54 – Ralph Kiner (Alhambra)
In 1949, he was belting long-balls for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His total was highest in the majors from 1939 to 1960.
52 – George Foster (Leuzinger, Lawndale)
He was part of the Big Red Machine and hit this many homers in 1977.
52 – Aaron Judge (Linden)
His homer on Saturday at Yankee Stadium set team record for most homers in a season at home that was held by Babe Ruth. He earlier broke Mark McGwire’s all-time rookie record of 49 set in 1987 when McGwire was with Oakland.
51 – Cecil Fielder (Nogales, La Puente)
He hit his homers in 1990 for the Detroit Tigers. His son, Prince Fielder, hit 50 in 2007, but Prince didn’t go to high school in California.
50 – Brady Anderson (Carlsbad)
This is most ever for anyone from CIF San Diego Section. He was playing for Baltimore Orioles in 1996 and is from same high school as 2002 World Series MVP Troy Glaus.
50 – Greg Vaughn (Kennedy, Sacramento)
He also had two other 40-homer seasons in MLB career. Hit his 50 for San Diego Padres in 1998.
