The 2016 Reds have given up the most home runs in a single season
It finally happened. With Jason Heyward’s two-run blast in the eighth inning of Monday’s game, the Cincinnati Reds now hold the record for most home runs given up in a single season.
The record is broken. Heyward with one to left-center, two run shot. No. 242 allowed by #reds
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) September 20, 2016
The Reds came into the contest just two home runs away from the record. An Addison Russell home run in the seventh put them just one away from tying the record, and a Willson Contreras blast just a batter later tied the record. The next inning, Heyward managed the historic blast. The Reds lost the game 5-2.
Anyone who has followed the team this season knew this day would come. Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Trent Rosecrans first mentioned the possibility of the Reds setting a new single season record back in July.
If my math is correct, Reds are on pace to give up 281 home runs. Big-League record is 241.
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) July 3, 2016
They managed that feat with two weeks remaining in the regular season. Every home run the club gives up from here on out will only extend the record.
Speaking of, the 1996 Detroit Tigers are now off the hook. With 241 home runs allowed, they now sit in second place on the single season home run list. We can’t imagine the members of the team will celebrate by popping champagne, but it probably feels pretty good to no longer own that record.
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During the Reds’ run of futility this season, the club’s bullpen has certainly stood out above the rest. The club’s relievers have combined to give up 97 home runs this year (and counting), that is also a new major-league record.
If the team can take solace in anything, it’s that the bullpen probably won’t go down as the worst in history. With 12 games remaining, the Reds bullpen has posted a -3.5 fWAR. The worst bullpen of all-time, the 2013 Houston Astros, put up a -5.2 fWAR over a full season.
Anything is possible, of course, especially with this Reds bullpen, but that’s one awful record that appears to be safe for now.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
