A week or two ago, I posted about triples…so now it’s time to cover doubles. Because, why not?
The most doubles in a game is four, same as home runs. It’s been done over 40 times. Of those, 2 players did it twice. One was Albert Belle, the only guy to hit 50 homers and 50 doubles in a season (1995). The other was Billy Werber. Werber played for 5 teams in his career, stretching from 1930-1942. He also led his league in steals 3 times and was part of the Reds’ WS-winner in 1940. He compiled 271 doubles in his career. He also lived to see his 100th birthday.
The record for most doubles in a season is 67 by Earl Webb of the BoSox in 1931. 8 of the top 10 seasons occurred in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The two that weren’t were 59 by Todd Helton of the Rockies in 2000 (tied for 7th most all time) and Nick Castellanos of the Tigers and Cubs last year with 58 (10th most). It’s pretty much a certainty Castellanos won’t repeat that in his next full season with half his games at GABP after signing with the Reds in the offseason.
…and here’s the top 10 career doubles leaders, every one of them with HoF-worthy careers (Pujols, of course, isn’t eligible yet, and Rose is just plain not eligible):
1) Tris Speaker, 792
2) Pete Rose, 746
3) Stan Musial, 725
4) Ty Cobb, 724
5) Craig Biggio, 668
6) George Brett, 665
7) Albert Pujols, 661
8) Nap Lajoie, 657
9) Carl Yastrzemski, 646
10) Honus Wagner, 643
Fan Interference 
Sarcastic comment about Blastellanos!
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Doubles, the hit of choice for those fast enough to stretch singles; too slow to make it to 3B; too weak to hit it over the fence; or cursed to play in Comerica National Park.
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Spart, you may well be correct. The current popularity of homers reduces the number of double opportunities. Fewer players today (my opinion) are willing to risk an out so fewer doubles are claimed. Players take fewer chances on steals as well. Pujols is an example – he came up in a different era. If he were a rookie now he would not end a long career with this many doubles. At seventh on the career doubles list, Pujols is followed by active players Miguel Cabrera at #24 (577) and Robinson Cano at #29 (562). Then comes Nick Markakis at #64 (499). (Retired Angel Garret Anderson is still in the top 50). The next active player is #159 Ian Kinsler, so I see only four current players in the top 100 lifetime. Clearly the double is less valued today. I guess Garret Anderson’s spot is safe.
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Scratch Kinsler off your active player list, he officially retired after last season with 1,999 career hits.
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