Throughout the storied history of Major League Baseball (MLB), numerous games have been etched in the annals of sports lore for their extraordinary scoring feats.
While baseball is known for its strategic battles and close contests, some matchups have produced an abundance of runs, leaving fans in awe. So, what is the highest scoring MLB game in history? Interestingly there is one particular contest which stands above all others, and the same two clubs almost repeated the feat around 50 years later.
The Epic Contest
On August 25, 1922, two baseball powerhouses, the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies, squared off in a game that would go down in history as the highest scoring MLB game to date. The game took place at the iconic hitter-friendly Baker Bowl in Philadelphia.
What transpired on that fateful day was nothing short of extraordinary. The Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies relentlessly attacked each other's pitchers, leading to a remarkable offensive showcase. By the end of the game, an astonishing 49 runs had been scored, leaving the final scoreline at Chicago Cubs 26, Philadelphia Phillies 23.
This record-breaking game was rife with standout performances. High-flying hitters like Chuck Klein, Cy Williams, and Max Flack unleashed a barrage of hits, propelling their respective teams to impressive run totals. The pitchers, however, endured a grueling day, as both teams combined for 50 hits in a contest that stretched over four hours.
An enduring legacy
Nearly a century has passed since that remarkable day, and the highest scoring MLB game still holds a place of honor in baseball history. Despite the evolution of the game, changes in strategies, and variations in playing styles, this offensive spectacle remains unparalleled.
Did any other games come close?
While the 1922 Cubs-Phillies game holds the record, several other games have come close to reaching this milestone. In 1939, the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Athletics engaged in a marathon game that ended with a score of 27-21 in favor of the Indians, making it the second-highest scoring game in MLB history.
In 1979, Wrigley Field played host to the Phillies against the Cubs once more, with the final score being 23-22 in favor of the visiting Philadelphia team.
The highest scoring Major League Baseball game in history, the 1922 Cubs-Phillies matchup, stands as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement that defines the sport. With the combined total of 49 runs, this epic showdown continues to capture the imagination of baseball enthusiasts worldwide.
While records are meant to be broken, this extraordinary game remains an enduring legacy, showcasing the unyielding spirit of competition and the timeless appeal of America's favorite pastime.
FAQs
The highest scoring Major League Baseball game in history, the 1922 Cubs-Phillies matchup, stands as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement that defines the sport. With the combined total of 49 runs, this epic showdown continues to capture the imagination of baseball enthusiasts worldwide.
What is the highest scoring game in Major League Baseball MLB history? ›
Starting from the 1876 National League season, the most total runs scored in a game is 49. The final score: Cubs 26 - Phillies 23.
What is the highest scoring game in the MLB World Series? ›
On October 2, 1936, playing the New York Giants, the Yankees set the team record for most runs scored in a single World Series game with 18.
What is the most common final score in MLB history? ›
The most frequently occurring final score in MLB games is 3-2 [1]. This score has occurred the most throughout history, with over 10,800 instances. Close games with one-run margins are exciting and relatively common, favoring the home team slightly due to the walk-off advantage.
Who scored the most runs in MLB history? ›
Rickey Henderson leaded the ranking of Major League Baseball all-time runs scored with 2,295 runs as of January 2024.
Is there a mercy rule in MLB? ›
'Rockies rule': Baseball fans call for MLB mercy rule after record-breaking loss. DENVER (KDVR) – There isn't a mercy rule in baseball, but some fans think there should be after the Colorado Rockies lost 16-1 in the team's season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
What is the longest MLB game ever played? ›
What is the longest baseball game in MLB history? I saw each and every one of the 753 pitches thrown in the longest MLB ever, a 25-inning game won by the Chicago White Sox over the Milwaukee Brewers at Comiskey Park on May 8-9, 1984. The game took eight hours and six minutes.
What is the most run scored in one inning? ›
Here is a look at the top 11 single-inning performances in the Modern Era (since 1900), as provided by the Elias Sports Bureau. Note: Technically, the all-time Major League record is 18 runs by the Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs) against the long-defunct Detroit Wolverines on Sept. 6, 1883.
What is the most home run in a game by one player? ›
The record for most home runs in a single game is eight, held by Jay Clarke for Corsicana of the Texas League on June 15, 1902.
Who holds the World Series record? ›
While there are reports that the New York Knickerbockers played games in 1845, the contest long recognized as the first officially recorded baseball game in U.S. history took place on June 19, 1846, in Hoboken, New Jersey: the "New York Nine" defeated the Knickerbockers, 23–1, in four innings.
Has there ever been a perfect MLB game? ›
In the history of Major League Baseball, there have been 24 total perfect games. They are understandably are a rarity because they require a pitcher to last the entirety of a game without a player from the opposing team reaching base.
What is the lowest score in MLB history? ›
The lowest game score in baseball's modern era was Allan Travers' 26-hit, 24-run start for the Detroit Tigers on May 18, 1912. His game score was a −52.
Has anyone had 3 at bats in an inning? ›
On June 18, 1953 (while Williams was away serving with the Marines in the Korean War), Stephens collected three hits in one inning during a 23-3 Red Sox victory over the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.
Who has three hits in one inning? ›
Wilbert Robinson, June 10, 1892; Rennie Stennett, September 16, 1975. Three hits in an inning. Number of occurrences: 5. Last by Johnny Damon, June 27, 2003.
What is the most runs scored by a single player in a MLB season? ›
Discrepancy in an All-Time MLB Record: Billy Hamilton's 1894 Runs Scored. QUESTION: Who holds the all-time MLB record for most runs scored by an individual player during a single season? ANSWER: Billy Hamilton of the 1894 Philadelphia Phillies. The run is unquestionably the most important statistic in baseball.
What is the highest achievement in baseball? ›
The awards were first given in 1957. Players are selected by the managers and coaches of the major league teams, who are not permitted to vote for players from their own team. The highest honour for a major league baseball player is induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York.
In what year did Major League Baseball have its 100000 th game? ›
September 6, 1963: Major League Baseball celebrates 100,000th game.
