Data was derived from https://www.baseball-reference.com/ and can be viewed at this link sorted by year.
Batting Average ("Leading the league in hitting."): minimum requirements for averages. Those requirements have changed a lot since early in the previous century. Monday, December 27, 2021
You can't make up stuff like this.
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Definitions used in tables below:
National League (NL)
American League (AL)
BA NLp: BA for NL leader
BA ALp: BA for AL leader
P NL-AL: (BA NLp)-(BA ALp)
P Dif/NL %: (P NL-AL)/(BA NL) percent difference between players BA; negative number means AL > NL.
BA NL
BA AL
BA P-NL: (BA NLp) - (BA NL) difference between NL player and NL
BA P-AL: (BA ALp) - (BA AL) difference between AL player and AL
Dif/NL %: (BA P-NL) / (BA NL) percent above NL
Dif/AL %: (BA P-AL) / (BA AL) percent above AL
The percent above league 1903-2021 ranged from 57.61% to 21.18%, both in the AL.
No NL batter was at least 50% above NL BA. Four AL batters were at least 50% above AL BA, eleven times:
Cobb 6
Lajoie 2
Williams 2
Speaker 1Highest and lowest NL BA champs:
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1924 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Babe Ruth+* (NYY) | .424 | .378 | .046 | 10.85% | .283 | .290 | .141 | .088 | 49.69% | 30.34% |
| 1925 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .403 | .393 | .010 | 2.48% | .292 | .292 | .111 | .101 | 38.01% | 34.59% |
| 1930 | Bill Terry+* (NYG) | Al Simmons+ (PHA) | .401 | .381 | .020 | 4.99% | .303 | .288 | .098 | .093 | 32.34% | 32.29% |
| 1922 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .401 | .420 | -.019 | -4.74% | .292 | .285 | .109 | .135 | 37.33% | 47.37% |
| 1929 | Lefty O'Doul* (PHI) | Lew Fonseca (CLE) | .398 | .369 | .029 | 7.29% | .294 | .284 | .104 | .085 | 35.37% | 29.93% |
| 1921 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .397 | .394 | .003 | 0.76% | .289 | .292 | .108 | .102 | 37.37% | 34.93% |
| 1994 | Tony Gwynn+* (SDP) | Paul O'Neill* (NYY) | .394 | .359 | .035 | 8.88% | .267 | .273 | .127 | .086 | 47.57% | 31.50% |
| 1928 | Rogers Hornsby+ (BSN) | Goose Goslin+* (WSH) | .387 | .379 | .008 | 2.07% | .281 | .281 | .106 | .098 | 37.72% | 34.88% |
| 1935 | Arky Vaughan+* (PIT) | Buddy Myer* (WSH) | .385 | .349 | .036 | 9.35% | .277 | .280 | .108 | .069 | 38.99% | 24.64% |
| 1923 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .384 | .403 | -.019 | -4.95% | .286 | .282 | .098 | .121 | 34.27% | 42.91% |
| 1927 | Paul Waner+* (PIT) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .380 | .398 | -.018 | -4.74% | .282 | .285 | .098 | .113 | 34.75% | 39.65% |
| 1999 | Larry Walker+* (COL) | Nomar Garciaparra (BOS) | .379 | .357 | .022 | 5.80% | .268 | .275 | .111 | .082 | 41.42% | 29.82% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 2021 | Trea Turner (2TM) | Yuli Gurriel (HOU) | .328 | .319 | .009 | 2.74% | .242 | .245 | .086 | .074 | 35.54% | 30.20% |
| 1956 | Henry Aaron+ (MLN) | Mickey Mantle+# (NYY) | .328 | .353 | -.025 | -7.62% | .256 | .260 | .072 | .093 | 28.13% | 35.77% |
| 2018 | Christian Yelich* (MIL) | Mookie Betts (BOS) | .326 | .346 | -.020 | -6.13% | .247 | .249 | .079 | .097 | 31.98% | 38.96% |
| 1963 | Tommy Davis (LAD) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .326 | .321 | .005 | 1.53% | .245 | .247 | .081 | .074 | 33.06% | 29.96% |
| 1960 | Dick Groat (PIT) | Pete Runnels* (BOS) | .325 | .320 | .005 | 1.54% | .255 | .255 | .070 | .065 | 27.45% | 25.49% |
| 1980 | Bill Buckner* (CHC) | George Brett+* (KCR) | .324 | .390 | -.066 | -20.37% | .259 | .269 | .065 | .121 | 25.10% | 44.98% |
| 1983 | Bill Madlock (PIT) | Wade Boggs+* (BOS) | .323 | .361 | -.038 | -11.76% | .255 | .266 | .068 | .095 | 26.67% | 35.71% |
| 1919 | Edd Roush+* (CIN) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .321 | .384 | -.063 | -19.63% | .258 | .268 | .063 | .116 | 24.42% | 43.28% |
| 1915 | Larry Doyle* (NYG) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .320 | .369 | -.049 | -15.31% | .248 | .248 | .072 | .121 | 29.03% | 48.79% |
| 2014 | Justin Morneau* (COL) | Jose Altuve (HOU) | .319 | .341 | -.022 | -6.90% | .249 | .253 | .070 | .088 | 28.11% | 34.78% |
| 1991 | Terry Pendleton# (ATL) | Julio Franco (TEX) | .319 | .341 | -.022 | -6.90% | .250 | .260 | .069 | .081 | 27.60% | 31.15% |
| 1988 | Tony Gwynn+* (SDP) | Wade Boggs+* (BOS) | .313 | .366 | -.053 | -16.93% | .248 | .259 | .065 | .107 | 26.21% | 41.31% |
No surprise, Rogers Hornsby has the highest NL BA for a league leader. In the second column from the right you'll see that his .424 was 49.69% above the NL BA .283 with non rounded numbers. Also note that the AL BA in 1924 was even higher at .290. Babe Ruth led the AL in 1924 with .378: 30.34% above the AL BA. Hornsby was .141 higher than the NL BA.
P Dif/NL %: the difference between the players divided by the NL BA, which was chosen arbitrarily. The result is that in 1924 Hornsby's BA was 10.85% higher than that of the AL champ, Babe Ruth. That's the only year that Ruth was BA champ.
Hopefully this description will give you an idea of how to read the table excerpts in this post.
Highest and lowest AL BA champs:
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1922 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .401 | .420 | -.019 | -4.74% | .292 | .285 | .109 | .135 | 37.33% | 47.37% |
| 1911 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .334 | .419 | -.085 | -25.45% | .260 | .273 | .074 | .146 | 28.46% | 53.48% |
| 1912 | Heinie Zimmerman (CHC) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .372 | .409 | -.037 | -9.95% | .272 | .265 | .100 | .144 | 36.76% | 54.34% |
| 1920 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .370 | .407 | -.037 | -10.00% | .270 | .283 | .100 | .124 | 37.04% | 43.82% |
| 1941 | Pete Reiser* (BRO) | Ted Williams+* (BOS) | .343 | .406 | -.063 | -18.37% | .258 | .266 | .085 | .140 | 32.95% | 52.63% |
| 1923 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .384 | .403 | -.019 | -4.95% | .286 | .282 | .098 | .121 | 34.27% | 42.91% |
| 1927 | Paul Waner+* (PIT) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .380 | .398 | -.018 | -4.74% | .282 | .285 | .098 | .113 | 34.75% | 39.65% |
| 1921 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .397 | .394 | .003 | 0.76% | .289 | .292 | .108 | .102 | 37.37% | 34.93% |
| 1925 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .403 | .393 | .010 | 2.48% | .292 | .292 | .111 | .101 | 38.01% | 34.59% |
| 1980 | Bill Buckner* (CHC) | George Brett+* (KCR) | .324 | .390 | -.066 | -20.37% | .259 | .269 | .065 | .121 | 25.10% | 44.98% |
| 1931 | Chick Hafey+ (STL) | Al Simmons+ (PHA) | .349 | .390 | -.041 | -11.75% | .277 | .278 | .072 | .112 | 25.99% | 40.29% |
| 1913 | Jake Daubert* (BRO) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .350 | .389 | -.039 | -11.14% | .262 | .256 | .088 | .133 | 33.59% | 51.95% |
| 1977 | Dave Parker* (PIT) | Rod Carew+* (MIN) | .338 | .388 | -.050 | -14.79% | .262 | .266 | .076 | .122 | 29.01% | 45.86% |
| 1957 | Stan Musial+* (STL) | Ted Williams+* (BOS) | .351 | .388 | -.037 | -10.54% | .260 | .255 | .091 | .133 | 35.00% | 52.16% |
| 1936 | Paul Waner+* (PIT) | Luke Appling+ (CHW) | .373 | .388 | -.015 | -4.02% | .278 | .289 | .095 | .099 | 34.17% | 34.26% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1908 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .354 | .324 | .030 | 8.47% | .239 | .239 | .115 | .085 | 48.12% | 35.56% |
| 1964 | Roberto Clemente+ (PIT) | Tony Oliva+* (MIN) | .339 | .323 | .016 | 4.72% | .254 | .247 | .085 | .076 | 33.46% | 30.77% |
| 1965 | Roberto Clemente+ (PIT) | Tony Oliva+* (MIN) | .329 | .321 | .008 | 2.43% | .249 | .242 | .080 | .079 | 32.13% | 32.64% |
| 1963 | Tommy Davis (LAD) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .326 | .321 | .005 | 1.53% | .245 | .247 | .081 | .074 | 33.06% | 29.96% |
| 1960 | Dick Groat (PIT) | Pete Runnels* (BOS) | .325 | .320 | .005 | 1.54% | .255 | .255 | .070 | .065 | 27.45% | 25.49% |
| 2021 | Trea Turner (2TM) | Yuli Gurriel (HOU) | .328 | .319 | .009 | 2.74% | .242 | .245 | .086 | .074 | 35.54% | 30.20% |
| 1972 | Billy Williams+* (CHC) | Rod Carew+* (MIN) | .333 | .318 | .015 | 4.50% | .248 | .239 | .085 | .079 | 34.27% | 33.05% |
| 1966 | Matty Alou* (PIT) | Frank Robinson+ (BAL) | .342 | .316 | .026 | 7.60% | .256 | .240 | .086 | .076 | 33.59% | 31.67% |
| 1945 | Phil Cavarretta* (CHC) | Snuffy Stirnweiss (NYY) | .355 | .309 | .046 | 12.96% | .265 | .255 | .090 | .054 | 33.96% | 21.18% |
| 1905 | Cy Seymour* (CIN) | Elmer Flick+* (CLE) | .377 | .308 | .069 | 18.30% | .255 | .241 | .122 | .067 | 47.84% | 27.80% |
| 1968 | Pete Rose# (CIN) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .335 | .301 | .034 | 10.15% | .243 | .230 | .092 | .071 | 37.86% | 30.87% |
George Sisler is number one. His .420 BA was 47.37% higher than the AL BA. But unlike Hornsby, Sisler has five among the tops in AL BA who exceeded the AL BA by more than 50%. Don't worry, we'll sort on that below. It may be the best way to compare an average stat, especially across eras.
The .301 at the bottom was addressed in a recent post:
Comparing BA leaders Bill Terry (.401 in 1930) and Carl Yastrzemski (.301 in 1968). Monday, December 27, 2021
Frank Robinson won the triple crown in 1966 with that .316 BA. It was the only year that he led in the triple crown stats: BA, HR, RBI.
Highest and lowest NL BA (the entire league):
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1930 | Bill Terry+* (NYG) | Al Simmons+ (PHA) | .401 | .381 | .020 | 4.99% | .303 | .288 | .098 | .093 | 32.34% | 32.29% |
| 1929 | Lefty O'Doul* (PHI) | Lew Fonseca (CLE) | .398 | .369 | .029 | 7.29% | .294 | .284 | .104 | .085 | 35.37% | 29.93% |
| 1922 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .401 | .420 | -.019 | -4.74% | .292 | .285 | .109 | .135 | 37.33% | 47.37% |
| 1925 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .403 | .393 | .010 | 2.48% | .292 | .292 | .111 | .101 | 38.01% | 34.59% |
| 1921 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .397 | .394 | .003 | 0.76% | .289 | .292 | .108 | .102 | 37.37% | 34.93% |
| 1923 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .384 | .403 | -.019 | -4.95% | .286 | .282 | .098 | .121 | 34.27% | 42.91% |
| 1924 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Babe Ruth+* (NYY) | .424 | .378 | .046 | 10.85% | .283 | .290 | .141 | .088 | 49.69% | 30.34% |
| 1927 | Paul Waner+* (PIT) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .380 | .398 | -.018 | -4.74% | .282 | .285 | .098 | .113 | 34.75% | 39.65% |
| 1928 | Rogers Hornsby+ (BSN) | Goose Goslin+* (WSH) | .387 | .379 | .008 | 2.07% | .281 | .281 | .106 | .098 | 37.72% | 34.88% |
| 1926 | Bubbles Hargrave (CIN) | Heinie Manush+* (DET) | .353 | .378 | -.025 | -7.08% | .280 | .281 | .073 | .097 | 26.07% | 34.52% |
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| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1988 | Tony Gwynn+* (SDP) | Wade Boggs+* (BOS) | .313 | .366 | -.053 | -16.93% | .248 | .259 | .065 | .107 | 26.21% | 41.31% |
| 1972 | Billy Williams+* (CHC) | Rod Carew+* (MIN) | .333 | .318 | .015 | 4.50% | .248 | .239 | .085 | .079 | 34.27% | 33.05% |
| 1916 | Hal Chase (CIN) | Tris Speaker+* (CLE) | .339 | .386 | -.047 | -13.86% | .247 | .248 | .092 | .138 | 37.25% | 55.65% |
| 2018 | Christian Yelich* (MIL) | Mookie Betts (BOS) | .326 | .346 | -.020 | -6.13% | .247 | .249 | .079 | .097 | 31.98% | 38.96% |
| 2020 | Juan Soto* (WSN) | DJ LeMahieu (NYY) | .351 | .364 | -.013 | -3.70% | .246 | .243 | .105 | .121 | 42.68% | 49.79% |
| 1989 | Tony Gwynn+* (SDP) | Kirby Puckett+ (MIN) | .336 | .339 | -.003 | -0.89% | .246 | .261 | .090 | .078 | 36.59% | 29.89% |
| 1963 | Tommy Davis (LAD) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .326 | .321 | .005 | 1.53% | .245 | .247 | .081 | .074 | 33.06% | 29.96% |
| 1909 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .339 | .377 | -.038 | -11.21% | .244 | .244 | .095 | .133 | 38.93% | 54.51% |
| 1906 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | George Stone* (SLB) | .339 | .358 | -.019 | -5.60% | .244 | .249 | .095 | .109 | 38.93% | 43.78% |
| 1907 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .350 | .350 | -.001 | -0.26% | .243 | .247 | .107 | .103 | 43.83% | 41.87% |
| 1968 | Pete Rose# (CIN) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .335 | .301 | .034 | 10.15% | .243 | .230 | .092 | .071 | 37.86% | 30.87% |
| 2021 | Trea Turner (2TM) | Yuli Gurriel (HOU) | .328 | .319 | .009 | 2.74% | .242 | .245 | .086 | .074 | 35.54% | 30.20% |
| 1908 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .354 | .324 | .030 | 8.47% | .239 | .239 | .115 | .085 | 48.12% | 35.56% |
Bill Terry was NL BA champ in the only season that either league had BA at least .300.
Highest and lowest AL BA (the entire league):
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1925 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .403 | .393 | .010 | 2.48% | .292 | .292 | .111 | .101 | 38.01% | 34.59% |
| 1921 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .397 | .394 | .003 | 0.76% | .289 | .292 | .108 | .102 | 37.37% | 34.93% |
| 1924 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Babe Ruth+* (NYY) | .424 | .378 | .046 | 10.85% | .283 | .290 | .141 | .088 | 49.69% | 30.34% |
| 1936 | Paul Waner+* (PIT) | Luke Appling+ (CHW) | .373 | .388 | -.015 | -4.02% | .278 | .289 | .095 | .099 | 34.17% | 34.26% |
| 1930 | Bill Terry+* (NYG) | Al Simmons+ (PHA) | .401 | .381 | .020 | 4.99% | .303 | .288 | .098 | .093 | 32.34% | 32.29% |
| 1922 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .401 | .420 | -.019 | -4.74% | .292 | .285 | .109 | .135 | 37.33% | 47.37% |
| 1927 | Paul Waner+* (PIT) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .380 | .398 | -.018 | -4.74% | .282 | .285 | .098 | .113 | 34.75% | 39.65% |
| 1929 | Lefty O'Doul* (PHI) | Lew Fonseca (CLE) | .398 | .369 | .029 | 7.29% | .294 | .284 | .104 | .085 | 35.37% | 29.93% |
| 1920 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .370 | .407 | -.037 | -10.00% | .270 | .283 | .100 | .124 | 37.04% | 43.82% |
| 1923 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Harry Heilmann+ (DET) | .384 | .403 | -.019 | -4.95% | .286 | .282 | .098 | .121 | 34.27% | 42.91% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 2021 | Trea Turner (2TM) | Yuli Gurriel (HOU) | .328 | .319 | .009 | 2.74% | .242 | .245 | .086 | .074 | 35.54% | 30.20% |
| 1904 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Nap Lajoie+ (CLE) | .349 | .376 | -.027 | -7.74% | .249 | .244 | .100 | .132 | 40.16% | 54.10% |
| 1909 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .339 | .377 | -.038 | -11.21% | .244 | .244 | .095 | .133 | 38.93% | 54.51% |
| 2020 | Juan Soto* (WSN) | DJ LeMahieu (NYY) | .351 | .364 | -.013 | -3.70% | .246 | .243 | .105 | .121 | 42.68% | 49.79% |
| 1910 | Sherry Magee (PHI) | Nap Lajoie+ (CLE) | .331 | .383 | -.052 | -15.71% | .256 | .243 | .075 | .140 | 29.30% | 57.61% |
| 1965 | Roberto Clemente+ (PIT) | Tony Oliva+* (MIN) | .329 | .321 | .008 | 2.43% | .249 | .242 | .080 | .079 | 32.13% | 32.64% |
| 1905 | Cy Seymour* (CIN) | Elmer Flick+* (CLE) | .377 | .308 | .069 | 18.30% | .255 | .241 | .122 | .067 | 47.84% | 27.80% |
| 1966 | Matty Alou* (PIT) | Frank Robinson+ (BAL) | .342 | .316 | .026 | 7.60% | .256 | .240 | .086 | .076 | 33.59% | 31.67% |
| 1908 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .354 | .324 | .030 | 8.47% | .239 | .239 | .115 | .085 | 48.12% | 35.56% |
| 1972 | Billy Williams+* (CHC) | Rod Carew+* (MIN) | .333 | .318 | .015 | 4.50% | .248 | .239 | .085 | .079 | 34.27% | 33.05% |
| 1967 | Roberto Clemente+ (PIT) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .357 | .326 | .031 | 8.68% | .249 | .236 | .108 | .090 | 43.37% | 38.14% |
| 1968 | Pete Rose# (CIN) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .335 | .301 | .034 | 10.15% | .243 | .230 | .092 | .071 | 37.86% | 30.87% |
1968 was the last season for Mickey Mantle. People thought that his .237 BA was shocking but it was 3% above AL BA.
There are three triple crowns among those bottom AL BA:
1909: Ty Cobb
1966 Frank Robinson
1967 Carl Yastrzemski
Highest and lowest NL BA champs percent above NL BA:
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1924 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | Babe Ruth+* (NYY) | .424 | .378 | .046 | 10.85% | .283 | .290 | .141 | .088 | 49.69% | 30.34% |
| 1908 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .354 | .324 | .030 | 8.47% | .239 | .239 | .115 | .085 | 48.12% | 35.56% |
| 1905 | Cy Seymour* (CIN) | Elmer Flick+* (CLE) | .377 | .308 | .069 | 18.30% | .255 | .241 | .122 | .067 | 47.84% | 27.80% |
| 1994 | Tony Gwynn+* (SDP) | Paul O'Neill* (NYY) | .394 | .359 | .035 | 8.88% | .267 | .273 | .127 | .086 | 47.57% | 31.50% |
| 1948 | Stan Musial+* (STL) | Ted Williams+* (BOS) | .376 | .369 | .007 | 1.86% | .261 | .266 | .115 | .103 | 44.06% | 38.72% |
| 1971 | Joe Torre+ (STL) | Tony Oliva+* (MIN) | .363 | .337 | .026 | 7.16% | .252 | .247 | .111 | .090 | 44.05% | 36.44% |
| 1907 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .350 | .350 | -.001 | -0.26% | .243 | .247 | .107 | .103 | 43.83% | 41.87% |
| 1967 | Roberto Clemente+ (PIT) | Carl Yastrzemski+* (BOS) | .357 | .326 | .031 | 8.68% | .249 | .236 | .108 | .090 | 43.37% | 38.14% |
| 2002 | Barry Bonds* (SFG) | Manny Ramirez (BOS) | .370 | .349 | .021 | 5.68% | .259 | .264 | .111 | .085 | 42.86% | 32.20% |
| 2020 | Juan Soto* (WSN) | DJ LeMahieu (NYY) | .351 | .364 | -.013 | -3.70% | .246 | .243 | .105 | .121 | 42.68% | 49.79% |
| 1946 | Stan Musial+* (STL) | Mickey Vernon* (WSH) | .365 | .353 | .012 | 3.29% | .256 | .256 | .109 | .097 | 42.58% | 37.89% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1956 | Henry Aaron+ (MLN) | Mickey Mantle+# (NYY) | .328 | .353 | -.025 | -7.62% | .256 | .260 | .072 | .093 | 28.13% | 35.77% |
| 2014 | Justin Morneau* (COL) | Jose Altuve (HOU) | .319 | .341 | -.022 | -6.90% | .249 | .253 | .070 | .088 | 28.11% | 34.78% |
| 1938 | Ernie Lombardi+ (CIN) | Jimmie Foxx+ (BOS) | .342 | .349 | -.007 | -2.05% | .267 | .281 | .075 | .068 | 28.09% | 24.20% |
| 2005 | Derrek Lee (CHC) | Michael Young (TEX) | .335 | .331 | .004 | 1.19% | .262 | .268 | .073 | .063 | 27.86% | 23.51% |
| 2007 | Matt Holliday (COL) | Magglio Ordonez (DET) | .340 | .363 | -.023 | -6.76% | .266 | .271 | .074 | .092 | 27.82% | 33.95% |
| 1991 | Terry Pendleton# (ATL) | Julio Franco (TEX) | .319 | .341 | -.022 | -6.90% | .250 | .260 | .069 | .081 | 27.60% | 31.15% |
| 1960 | Dick Groat (PIT) | Pete Runnels* (BOS) | .325 | .320 | .005 | 1.54% | .255 | .255 | .070 | .065 | 27.45% | 25.49% |
| 1983 | Bill Madlock (PIT) | Wade Boggs+* (BOS) | .323 | .361 | -.038 | -11.76% | .255 | .266 | .068 | .095 | 26.67% | 35.71% |
| 1988 | Tony Gwynn+* (SDP) | Wade Boggs+* (BOS) | .313 | .366 | -.053 | -16.93% | .248 | .259 | .065 | .107 | 26.21% | 41.31% |
| 1926 | Bubbles Hargrave (CIN) | Heinie Manush+* (DET) | .353 | .378 | -.025 | -7.08% | .280 | .281 | .073 | .097 | 26.07% | 34.52% |
| 1931 | Chick Hafey+ (STL) | Al Simmons+ (PHA) | .349 | .390 | -.041 | -11.75% | .277 | .278 | .072 | .112 | 25.99% | 40.29% |
| 1980 | Bill Buckner* (CHC) | George Brett+* (KCR) | .324 | .390 | -.066 | -20.37% | .259 | .269 | .065 | .121 | 25.10% | 44.98% |
| 1919 | Edd Roush+* (CIN) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .321 | .384 | -.063 | -19.63% | .258 | .268 | .063 | .116 | 24.42% | 43.28% |
Rogers Hornsby at .424 in 1924 when the NL BA was .283 rounds up to 50% but no NL BA champ ever reach 50% above NL BA. How about the AL?
Highest and lowest AL BA champs percent above AL BA:
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1910 | Sherry Magee (PHI) | Nap Lajoie+ (CLE) | .331 | .383 | -.052 | -15.71% | .256 | .243 | .075 | .140 | 29.30% | 57.61% |
| 1916 | Hal Chase (CIN) | Tris Speaker+* (CLE) | .339 | .386 | -.047 | -13.86% | .247 | .248 | .092 | .138 | 37.25% | 55.65% |
| 1909 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .339 | .377 | -.038 | -11.21% | .244 | .244 | .095 | .133 | 38.93% | 54.51% |
| 1917 | Edd Roush+* (CIN) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .341 | .383 | -.042 | -12.32% | .249 | .248 | .092 | .135 | 36.95% | 54.44% |
| 1912 | Heinie Zimmerman (CHC) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .372 | .409 | -.037 | -9.95% | .272 | .265 | .100 | .144 | 36.76% | 54.34% |
| 1904 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Nap Lajoie+ (CLE) | .349 | .376 | -.027 | -7.74% | .249 | .244 | .100 | .132 | 40.16% | 54.10% |
| 1911 | Honus Wagner+ (PIT) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .334 | .419 | -.085 | -25.45% | .260 | .273 | .074 | .146 | 28.46% | 53.48% |
| 1941 | Pete Reiser* (BRO) | Ted Williams+* (BOS) | .343 | .406 | -.063 | -18.37% | .258 | .266 | .085 | .140 | 32.95% | 52.63% |
| 1957 | Stan Musial+* (STL) | Ted Williams+* (BOS) | .351 | .388 | -.037 | -10.54% | .260 | .255 | .091 | .133 | 35.00% | 52.16% |
| 1913 | Jake Daubert* (BRO) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .350 | .389 | -.039 | -11.14% | .262 | .256 | .088 | .133 | 33.59% | 51.95% |
| 1918 | Zack Wheat+* (BRO) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .335 | .382 | -.047 | -14.03% | .254 | .254 | .081 | .128 | 31.89% | 50.39% |
| 2020 | Juan Soto* (WSN) | DJ LeMahieu (NYY) | .351 | .364 | -.013 | -3.70% | .246 | .243 | .105 | .121 | 42.68% | 49.79% |
| 1915 | Larry Doyle* (NYG) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .320 | .369 | -.049 | -15.31% | .248 | .248 | .072 | .121 | 29.03% | 48.79% |
| 1914 | Jake Daubert* (BRO) | Ty Cobb+* (DET) | .329 | .368 | -.039 | -11.85% | .251 | .248 | .078 | .120 | 31.08% | 48.39% |
| 1922 | Rogers Hornsby+ (STL) | George Sisler+* (SLB) | .401 | .420 | -.019 | -4.74% | .292 | .285 | .109 | .135 | 37.33% | 47.37% |
| 1977 | Dave Parker* (PIT) | Rod Carew+* (MIN) | .338 | .388 | -.050 | -14.79% | .262 | .266 | .076 | .122 | 29.01% | 45.86% |
| 1980 | Bill Buckner* (CHC) | George Brett+* (KCR) | .324 | .390 | -.066 | -20.37% | .259 | .269 | .065 | .121 | 25.10% | 44.98% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year | Player NL | Player AL | BA NLp | BA ALp | P NL-AL | P Dif/NL % | BA NL | BA AL | BA P-NL | BA P-AL | Dif/NL % | Dif/AL % |
| 1978 | Dave Parker* (PIT) | Rod Carew+* (MIN) | .334 | .333 | .001 | 0.30% | .254 | .261 | .080 | .072 | 31.50% | 27.59% |
| 1990 | Willie McGee# (STL) | George Brett+* (KCR) | .335 | .329 | .006 | 1.79% | .256 | .259 | .079 | .070 | 30.86% | 27.03% |
| 2006 | Freddy Sanchez (PIT) | Joe Mauer* (MIN) | .344 | .347 | -.003 | -0.87% | .265 | .275 | .079 | .072 | 29.81% | 26.18% |
| 1944 | Dixie Walker* (BRO) | Lou Boudreau+ (CLE) | .357 | .327 | .030 | 8.40% | .261 | .260 | .096 | .067 | 36.78% | 25.77% |
| 1982 | Al Oliver* (MON) | Willie Wilson# (KCR) | .331 | .332 | -.001 | -0.30% | .258 | .264 | .073 | .068 | 28.29% | 25.76% |
| 1960 | Dick Groat (PIT) | Pete Runnels* (BOS) | .325 | .320 | .005 | 1.54% | .255 | .255 | .070 | .065 | 27.45% | 25.49% |
| 1998 | Larry Walker+* (COL) | Bernie Williams# (NYY) | .363 | .339 | .024 | 6.61% | .262 | .271 | .101 | .068 | 38.55% | 25.09% |
| 1935 | Arky Vaughan+* (PIT) | Buddy Myer* (WSH) | .385 | .349 | .036 | 9.35% | .277 | .280 | .108 | .069 | 38.99% | 24.64% |
| 1938 | Ernie Lombardi+ (CIN) | Jimmie Foxx+ (BOS) | .342 | .349 | -.007 | -2.05% | .267 | .281 | .075 | .068 | 28.09% | 24.20% |
| 2005 | Derrek Lee (CHC) | Michael Young (TEX) | .335 | .331 | .004 | 1.19% | .262 | .268 | .073 | .063 | 27.86% | 23.51% |
| 1979 | Keith Hernandez* (STL) | Fred Lynn* (BOS) | .344 | .333 | .011 | 3.20% | .261 | .270 | .083 | .063 | 31.80% | 23.33% |
| 2008 | Chipper Jones+# (ATL) | Joe Mauer* (MIN) | .364 | .328 | .036 | 9.89% | .260 | .268 | .104 | .060 | 40.00% | 22.39% |
| 2003 | Albert Pujols (STL) | Bill Mueller# (BOS) | .359 | .326 | .033 | 9.19% | .262 | .267 | .097 | .059 | 37.02% | 22.10% |
| 1945 | Phil Cavarretta* (CHC) | Snuffy Stirnweiss (NYY) | .355 | .309 | .046 | 12.96% | .265 | .255 | .090 | .054 | 33.96% | 21.18% |
The AL had higher highs but lower lows. Eleven (four players) AL BA champs were at least 50% above AL BA. But five were below 24% above AL BA. The lowest NL was 24.42%.
The AL list was extended to include relatively modern players Rod Carew and George Brett. Brett played in only 117 games in 1980 when he batted .390 and had only 449 At Bats (AB). But Rod Carew played in 155 games and had 616 AB, a true full season.
There may be future posts which present the data a little differently, including by some arbitrary groups of years, like 1950-1969 to cover Mantle, Mays, Aaron years when they led in BA:
| Year | Player | BA | L BA | % above |
| 1954 | Willie Mays+ (NYG) | .345 | .265 | 30.19% |
| 1956 | Mickey Mantle+# (NYY) | .353 | .260 | 35.77% |
| 1956 | Henry Aaron+ (MLN) | .328 | .256 | 28.13% |
| 1959 | Henry Aaron+ (MLN) | .355 | .260 | 36.54% |
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