Bases on Balls : 2005 American League Top 25

Finding the American or National League leader in virtually every hitting & pitching statistic is easy-to-do. Finding the top 25 players during any given season is far more challenging. Baseball Almanac has taken away that difficult problem and is pleased to present the data you requested:

"Although baseball decided to extend the regular season deeper into October to play 162 games (after the 09-11 disaster), why not just play 154? Baseball has dealt with shortened seasons before. (Bud) Selig spoke about the sanctity of playing 162 games, but baseball played 154 games until 1961. Baseball should have just let the games go and continued with the current schedule." - Joe Morgan on ESPN (September 19, 2001)
 

2005 Bases on Balls Leaders

Top 25 in the American League

Jason Giambi 108 New York Yankees 1
David Ortiz 102 Boston Red Sox 2
Alex Rodriguez 91 New York Yankees 3
Richie Sexson 89 Seattle Mariners 4
Paul Konerko 81 Chicago White Sox 5
Manny Ramirez 80 Boston Red Sox 6
Travis Hafner 79 Cleveland Indians 7
Gary Sheffield 78 New York Yankees 8
Derek Jeter 77 New York Yankees 9
David Dellucci 76 Texas Rangers 10
Gregg Zaun 73 Toronto Blue Jays 11
Mark Teixeira 72 Texas Rangers 12
Raul Ibanez 71 Seattle Mariners 13
Brian Roberts 67 Baltimore Orioles 14
Jorge Posada 66 New York Yankees 15
Chone Figgins 64 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 16
Brandon Inge 63 Detroit Tigers 17
Victor Martinez 63 Cleveland Indians  
Hideki Matsui 63 New York Yankees  
Jason Varitek 62 Boston Red Sox 20
Vladimir Guerrero 61 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 21
Julio Lugo 61 Tampa Bay Devil Rays  
Joe Mauer 61 Minnesota Twins  
Matt Stairs 60 Kansas City Royals 24
Bill Mueller 59 Boston Red Sox 25



Did you know that more than forty players have worn the number twenty-five for the Boston Red Sox — including Jack Clark, Denny Galehouse, Dizzy Trout and Tony Conigliaro.

The most recognizable Detroit Tiger to wear the number twenty-five was probably Norm Cash (who wore it from 1960 through 1974), but did you know that Hall of Famer Larry Doby also wore it during his single season with Detroit?

Future Hall of Famer Sammy Sosa is best known for wearing number twenty-one; however, when the young slugger played for the Chicago White Sox (1989-1991) he only wore number twenty-five.