How many MLB players have won the Triple Crown? This is a question that has intrigued baseball fans for decades. The Triple Crown is an achievement that only the most exceptional players can achieve, as it involves leading the league in three major statistical categories: batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBIs) in a single season. Since the inception of the MLB, only a select few players have been able to claim this prestigious honor.
The first player to win the Triple Crown was Boston Red Sox great, Harry Hooper, in 1912. Since then, only 17 players have achieved this remarkable feat. The most recent Triple Crown winner was Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, who accomplished the feat in 2012. This article will take a closer look at each of these 17 Triple Crown winners, highlighting their achievements and the impact they had on the game of baseball.
1. Harry Hooper (1912) – The first-ever Triple Crown winner, Hooper hit .429 with 22 home runs and 128 RBIs for the Red Sox.
2. Ty Cobb (1911) – Cobb won the Triple Crown in 1911, hitting .377 with 29 home runs and 127 RBIs for the Detroit Tigers.
3. Rogers Hornsby (1924) – Hornsby is often considered the greatest offensive player of his era, winning the Triple Crown in 1924 with a .401 batting average, 42 home runs, and 143 RBIs for the St. Louis Cardinals.
4. Rogers Hornsby (1925) – Hornsby won the Triple Crown for the second time in 1925, hitting .403 with 39 home runs and 143 RBIs for the St. Louis Cardinals.
5. Jimmie Foxx (1933) – Foxx won the Triple Crown in 1933, hitting .348 with 48 home runs and 163 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox.
6. Lou Gehrig (1934) – Gehrig won the Triple Crown in 1934, hitting .363 with 47 home runs and 165 RBIs for the New York Yankees.
7. Ted Williams (1946) – Williams won the Triple Crown in 1946, hitting .406 with 37 home runs and 121 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox.
8. Jackie Robinson (1949) – Robinson won the Triple Crown in 1949, hitting .342 with 37 home runs and 124 RBIs for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
9. Mickey Mantle (1956) – Mantle won the Triple Crown in 1956, hitting .353 with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs for the New York Yankees.
10. Frank Robinson (1966) – Robinson won the Triple Crown in 1966, hitting .316 with 49 home runs and 122 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles.
11. Carl Yastrzemski (1967) – Yaz won the Triple Crown in 1967, hitting .326 with 44 home runs and 121 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox.
12. Rod Carew (1977) – Carew won the Triple Crown in 1977, hitting .388 with 48 home runs and 124 RBIs for the Minnesota Twins.
13. George Brett (1980) – Brett won the Triple Crown in 1980, hitting .390 with 44 home runs and 118 RBIs for the Kansas City Royals.
14. Wade Boggs (1985) – Boggs won the Triple Crown in 1985, hitting .357 with 46 home runs and 126 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox.
15. Cal Ripken Jr. (1988) – Ripken won the Triple Crown in 1988, hitting .324 with 21 home runs and 114 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles.
16. Frank Thomas (1991) – Thomas won the Triple Crown in 1991, hitting .355 with 41 home runs and 110 RBIs for the Chicago White Sox.
17. Miguel Cabrera (2012) – Cabrera won the Triple Crown in 2012, hitting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBIs for the Detroit Tigers.
These 17 players have etched their names in baseball history by winning the Triple Crown. Their achievements serve as a testament to their extraordinary talent and the high standards of excellence in the game. While the number of Triple Crown winners is relatively small, the significance of this accomplishment cannot be overstated. These players have left an indelible mark on the sport and will always be remembered as some of the greatest in MLB history.
