Who led MLB in home runs in 1951?

Ralph Kiner led the majors with 42 in 1951 (NL).

Who had the highest batting average in 1951?

Stan Musial hit ..355, the best average among qualifying hitters in 1951 (NL).

Who led MLB in wins in 1951?

Larry Jansen led the majors with 23 wins in 1951 (NL).

1951 MLB League Leaders

Source Lahman databaseSeason 19512 major leagues12 boards per league

Ralph Kiner led the majors with 42 in 1951. The American League and National League leaderboards below rank every qualifying hitter and pitcher of the 1951 season, from the SABR/Lahman baseball database.

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League

Showing all major leagues combined leader boards

Batting leaders, all major leagues

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	AVG
1	Stan Musial	SLN	NL	.355
2	Richie Ashburn	PHI	NL	.344
2	Ferris Fain	PHA	AL	.344
4	Jackie Robinson	BRO	NL	.338
5	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	AL	.326
6	Roy Campanella	BRO	NL	.325
7	George Kell	DET	AL	.319
8	Ted Williams	BOS	AL	.318
9	Nellie Fox	CHA	AL	.313
9	Johnny Pesky	BOS	AL	.313

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	HR
1	Ralph Kiner	PIT	NL	42
2	Gil Hodges	BRO	NL	40
3	Roy Campanella	BRO	NL	33
3	Gus Zernial	CHA/PHA	AL	33
5	Stan Musial	SLN	NL	32
5	Bobby Thomson	NY1	NL	32
7	Andy Pafko	CHN/BRO	NL	30
7	Hank Sauer	CHN	NL	30
7	Ted Williams	BOS	AL	30
10	Sid Gordon	BSN	NL	29

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	RBI
1	Gus Zernial	CHA/PHA	AL	129
2	Ted Williams	BOS	AL	126
3	Monte Irvin	NY1	NL	121
4	Eddie Robinson	CHA	AL	117
5	Sid Gordon	BSN	NL	109
5	Ralph Kiner	PIT	NL	109
7	Roy Campanella	BRO	NL	108
7	Stan Musial	SLN	NL	108
9	Luke Easter	CLE	AL	103
9	Gil Hodges	BRO	NL	103

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	R
1	Ralph Kiner	PIT	NL	124
1	Stan Musial	SLN	NL	124
3	Gil Hodges	BRO	NL	118
4	Al Dark	NY1	NL	114
5	Dom DiMaggio	BOS	AL	113
6	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	AL	112
7	Ted Williams	BOS	AL	109
7	Eddie Yost	WS1	AL	109
9	Eddie Joost	PHA	AL	107
10	Jackie Robinson	BRO	NL	106

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	H
1	Richie Ashburn	PHI	NL	221
2	Stan Musial	SLN	NL	205
3	Carl Furillo	BRO	NL	197
4	Al Dark	NY1	NL	196
5	George Kell	DET	AL	191
6	Dom DiMaggio	BOS	AL	189
6	Nellie Fox	CHA	AL	189
8	Jackie Robinson	BRO	NL	185
9	Pee Wee Reese	BRO	NL	176
10	Monte Irvin	NY1	NL	174

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SB
1	Sam Jethroe	BSN	NL	35
2	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	AL	31
3	Richie Ashburn	PHI	NL	29
4	Jim Busby	CHA	AL	26
5	Jackie Robinson	BRO	NL	25
6	Pee Wee Reese	BRO	NL	20
6	Earl Torgeson	BSN	NL	20
8	Phil Rizzuto	NYA	AL	18
9	Bobby Avila	CLE	AL	14
9	Chico Carrasquel	CHA	AL	14

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	OPS+
1	Ralph Kiner	PIT	NL	197
2	Stan Musial	SLN	NL	193
3	Ted Williams	BOS	AL	181
4	Roy Campanella	BRO	NL	170
5	Jackie Robinson	BRO	NL	165
6	Larry Doby	CLE	AL	160
6	Bobby Thomson	NY1	NL	160
8	Monte Irvin	NY1	NL	157
9	Ferris Fain	PHA	AL	155
9	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	AL	155

Pitching leaders, all major leagues

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	W
1	Larry Jansen	NY1	NL	23
1	Sal Maglie	NY1	NL	23
3	Bob Feller	CLE	AL	22
3	Preacher Roe	BRO	NL	22
3	Warren Spahn	BSN	NL	22
6	Eddie Lopat	NYA	AL	21
6	Vic Raschi	NYA	AL	21
6	Robin Roberts	PHI	NL	21
9	Murry Dickson	PIT	NL	20
9	Mike Garcia	CLE	AL	20

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA
1	Saul Rogovin	DET/CHA	AL	2.78
2	Eddie Lopat	NYA	AL	2.91
3	Sal Maglie	NY1	NL	2.93
4	Warren Spahn	BSN	NL	2.98
5	Early Wynn	CLE	AL	3.02
6	Billy Pierce	CHA	AL	3.03
6	Robin Roberts	PHI	NL	3.03
8	Larry Jansen	NY1	NL	3.04
8	Preacher Roe	BRO	NL	3.04
10	Allie Reynolds	NYA	AL	3.05

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SO
1	Don Newcombe	BRO	NL	164
1	Vic Raschi	NYA	AL	164
1	Warren Spahn	BSN	NL	164
4	Sal Maglie	NY1	NL	146
5	Larry Jansen	NY1	NL	145
6	Early Wynn	CLE	AL	133
7	Bob Lemon	CLE	AL	132
8	Ted Gray	DET	AL	131
9	Bob Rush	CHN	NL	129
10	Mickey McDermott	BOS	AL	127

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SV
1	Ellis Kinder	BOS	AL	14
2	Ted Wilks	SLN/PIT	NL	13
3	Frank Smith	CIN	NL	11
4	Carl Scheib	PHA	AL	10
5	Lou Brissie	PHA/CLE	AL	9
5	Jim Konstanty	PHI	NL	9
7	Al Brazle	SLN	NL	7
7	Allie Reynolds	NYA	AL	7
9	Mike Garcia	CLE	AL	6
9	Clyde King	BRO	NL	6

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1951, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA+
1	Saul Rogovin	DET/CHA	AL	148
2	Eddie Lopat	NYA	AL	141
3	Early Wynn	CLE	AL	137
4	Billy Pierce	CHA	AL	136
5	Sal Maglie	NY1	NL	135
5	Allie Reynolds	NYA	AL	135
7	Warren Spahn	BSN	NL	133
8	Mike Garcia	CLE	AL	131
8	Robin Roberts	PHI	NL	131
10	Larry Jansen	NY1	NL	130

Batting leaders, American League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Ferris Fain	PHA	.344
2	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	.326
3	George Kell	DET	.319
4	Ted Williams	BOS	.318
5	Nellie Fox	CHA	.313
5	Johnny Pesky	BOS	.313
7	Bobby Avila	CLE	.304
8	Gil Coan	WS1	.303
9	Elmer Valo	PHA	.302
10	Billy Goodman	BOS	.297

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Gus Zernial	CHA/PHA	33
2	Ted Williams	BOS	30
3	Eddie Robinson	CHA	29
4	Yogi Berra	NYA	27
4	Luke Easter	CLE	27
4	Vic Wertz	DET	27
7	Al Rosen	CLE	24
8	Larry Doby	CLE	20
9	Eddie Joost	PHA	19
10	Gene Woodling	NYA	15

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Gus Zernial	CHA/PHA	129
2	Ted Williams	BOS	126
3	Eddie Robinson	CHA	117
4	Luke Easter	CLE	103
5	Al Rosen	CLE	102
6	Sam Mele	WS1	94
6	Vic Wertz	DET	94
8	Yogi Berra	NYA	88
9	Mickey Vernon	WS1	87
10	Irv Noren	WS1	86

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Dom DiMaggio	BOS	113
2	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	112
3	Ted Williams	BOS	109
3	Eddie Yost	WS1	109
5	Eddie Joost	PHA	107
6	Nellie Fox	CHA	93
6	Johnny Pesky	BOS	93
8	Yogi Berra	NYA	92
8	Billy Goodman	BOS	92
8	George Kell	DET	92

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	H
1	George Kell	DET	191
2	Dom DiMaggio	BOS	189
2	Nellie Fox	CHA	189
4	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	173
5	Ted Williams	BOS	169
6	Bobby Avila	CLE	165
7	Gil Coan	WS1	163
8	Billy Goodman	BOS	162
9	Yogi Berra	NYA	161
9	Eddie Yost	WS1	161

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	31
2	Jim Busby	CHA	26
3	Phil Rizzuto	NYA	18
4	Bobby Avila	CLE	14
4	Chico Carrasquel	CHA	14
6	Elmer Valo	PHA	11
7	Eddie Joost	PHA	10
7	George Kell	DET	10
7	Irv Noren	WS1	10
10	Nellie Fox	CHA	9

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Ted Williams	BOS	181
2	Larry Doby	CLE	160
3	Ferris Fain	PHA	155
3	Minnie Miñoso	CLE/CHA	155
5	Vic Wertz	DET	146
6	Eddie Joost	PHA	141
7	Eddie Robinson	CHA	138
8	Elmer Valo	PHA	137
9	Eddie Yost	WS1	135
9	Gus Zernial	CHA/PHA	135

Pitching leaders, American League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Bob Feller	CLE	22
2	Eddie Lopat	NYA	21
2	Vic Raschi	NYA	21
4	Mike Garcia	CLE	20
4	Ned Garver	SLA	20
4	Early Wynn	CLE	20
7	Mel Parnell	BOS	18
7	Bobby Shantz	PHA	18
9	Bob Lemon	CLE	17
9	Allie Reynolds	NYA	17

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Saul Rogovin	DET/CHA	2.78
2	Eddie Lopat	NYA	2.91
3	Early Wynn	CLE	3.02
4	Billy Pierce	CHA	3.03
5	Allie Reynolds	NYA	3.05
6	Mike Garcia	CLE	3.15
7	Mel Parnell	BOS	3.26
8	Vic Raschi	NYA	3.27
9	Mickey McDermott	BOS	3.35
10	Bob Feller	CLE	3.50

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Vic Raschi	NYA	164
2	Early Wynn	CLE	133
3	Bob Lemon	CLE	132
4	Ted Gray	DET	131
5	Mickey McDermott	BOS	127
6	Allie Reynolds	NYA	126
7	Mike Garcia	CLE	118
8	Billy Pierce	CHA	113
9	Bob Feller	CLE	111
10	Alex Kellner	PHA	94

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Ellis Kinder	BOS	14
2	Carl Scheib	PHA	10
3	Lou Brissie	PHA/CLE	9
4	Allie Reynolds	NYA	7
5	Mike Garcia	CLE	6
6	Bob Hooper	PHA	5
6	Bob Kuzava	WS1/NYA	5
6	Joe Ostrowski	NYA	5
6	Satchel Paige	SLA	5
6	Dizzy Trout	DET	5

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1951, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Saul Rogovin	DET/CHA	148
2	Eddie Lopat	NYA	141
3	Early Wynn	CLE	137
4	Billy Pierce	CHA	136
5	Allie Reynolds	NYA	135
6	Mike Garcia	CLE	131
7	Mel Parnell	BOS	127
8	Vic Raschi	NYA	126
9	Mickey McDermott	BOS	123
10	Bob Feller	CLE	118

Batting leaders, National League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Stan Musial	SLN	.355
2	Richie Ashburn	PHI	.344
3	Jackie Robinson	BRO	.338
4	Roy Campanella	BRO	.325
5	Monte Irvin	NY1	.312
6	Johnny Wyrostek	CIN	.311
7	Ralph Kiner	PIT	.309
8	Al Dark	NY1	.303
9	Carl Furillo	BRO	.295
10	Bobby Thomson	NY1	.293

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Ralph Kiner	PIT	42
2	Gil Hodges	BRO	40
3	Roy Campanella	BRO	33
4	Stan Musial	SLN	32
4	Bobby Thomson	NY1	32
6	Andy Pafko	CHN/BRO	30
6	Hank Sauer	CHN	30
8	Sid Gordon	BSN	29
8	Duke Snider	BRO	29
10	Monte Irvin	NY1	24

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Monte Irvin	NY1	121
2	Sid Gordon	BSN	109
2	Ralph Kiner	PIT	109
4	Roy Campanella	BRO	108
4	Stan Musial	SLN	108
6	Gil Hodges	BRO	103
7	Duke Snider	BRO	101
7	Bobby Thomson	NY1	101
9	Andy Pafko	CHN/BRO	93
10	Earl Torgeson	BSN	92

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Ralph Kiner	PIT	124
1	Stan Musial	SLN	124
3	Gil Hodges	BRO	118
4	Al Dark	NY1	114
5	Jackie Robinson	BRO	106
6	Sam Jethroe	BSN	101
7	Earl Torgeson	BSN	99
8	Sid Gordon	BSN	96
8	Duke Snider	BRO	96
10	Monte Irvin	NY1	94

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Richie Ashburn	PHI	221
2	Stan Musial	SLN	205
3	Carl Furillo	BRO	197
4	Al Dark	NY1	196
5	Jackie Robinson	BRO	185
6	Pee Wee Reese	BRO	176
7	Monte Irvin	NY1	174
8	Whitey Lockman	NY1	173
9	Duke Snider	BRO	168
10	Gus Bell	PIT	167

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Sam Jethroe	BSN	35
2	Richie Ashburn	PHI	29
3	Jackie Robinson	BRO	25
4	Pee Wee Reese	BRO	20
4	Earl Torgeson	BSN	20
6	Randy Jackson	CHN	14
6	Duke Snider	BRO	14
8	Al Dark	NY1	12
8	Monte Irvin	NY1	12
10	Connie Ryan	CIN	11

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Ralph Kiner	PIT	197
2	Stan Musial	SLN	193
3	Roy Campanella	BRO	170
4	Jackie Robinson	BRO	165
5	Bobby Thomson	NY1	160
6	Monte Irvin	NY1	157
7	Gil Hodges	BRO	148
8	Sid Gordon	BSN	144
9	Andy Pafko	CHN/BRO	133
10	Willie Jones	PHI	129

Pitching leaders, National League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Larry Jansen	NY1	23
1	Sal Maglie	NY1	23
3	Preacher Roe	BRO	22
3	Warren Spahn	BSN	22
5	Robin Roberts	PHI	21
6	Murry Dickson	PIT	20
6	Don Newcombe	BRO	20
8	Gerry Staley	SLN	19
9	Jim Hearn	NY1	17
10	Ewell Blackwell	CIN	16

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Sal Maglie	NY1	2.93
2	Warren Spahn	BSN	2.98
3	Robin Roberts	PHI	3.03
4	Larry Jansen	NY1	3.04
4	Preacher Roe	BRO	3.04
6	Vern Bickford	BSN	3.12
7	Ralph Branca	BRO	3.26
7	Max Lanier	SLN	3.26
9	Don Newcombe	BRO	3.28
10	Ewell Blackwell	CIN	3.44

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Don Newcombe	BRO	164
1	Warren Spahn	BSN	164
3	Sal Maglie	NY1	146
4	Larry Jansen	NY1	145
5	Bob Rush	CHN	129
6	Robin Roberts	PHI	127
7	Mel Queen	PIT	123
8	Ewell Blackwell	CIN	120
9	Ralph Branca	BRO	118
10	Preacher Roe	BRO	113

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Ted Wilks	SLN/PIT	13
2	Frank Smith	CIN	11
3	Jim Konstanty	PHI	9
4	Al Brazle	SLN	7
5	Clyde King	BRO	6
5	George Spencer	NY1	6
5	Bill Werle	PIT	6
8	Ken Raffensberger	CIN	5
9	Carl Erskine	BRO	4
9	Sheldon Jones	NY1	4

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1951, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Sal Maglie	NY1	135
2	Warren Spahn	BSN	133
3	Robin Roberts	PHI	131
4	Larry Jansen	NY1	130
4	Preacher Roe	BRO	130
6	Vern Bickford	BSN	127
7	Ralph Branca	BRO	121
7	Max Lanier	SLN	121
7	Don Newcombe	BRO	121
10	Ewell Blackwell	CIN	115

How the 1951 leaderboards are built

Batters qualify at PA >= 3.1 x their league's scheduled games that season (the batting-title rule shape, applied era-consistently; 3.1 x 162 = 502 in the modern schedule). Pitchers qualify on the W, ERA, SO and ERA+ boards at IP >= their league's scheduled games that season (1 inning per scheduled team game; 162 in the modern schedule). The saves board uses the reliever bar: IP >= one-third of scheduled games.

Adjusted stats use same-league-season normalization only: OPS+ = 100 x (OBP/lgOBP + SLG/lgSLG - 1) and ERA+ = 100 x league ERA / player ERA, computed within each player's own league that season. They are not park-adjusted and are not the full Baseball-Reference formulas. In the combined all-leagues view, adjusted values keep their own-league normalization. Unrecorded early-era stats are never invented; a board simply does not appear for a stat the source did not record that season.

Season records come from the SABR / Sean Lahman baseball database (2025 edition), used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0. Full credits live on our sources page.

Nearby seasons

1945 league leaders 1946 league leaders 1947 league leaders 1948 league leaders 1949 league leaders 1950 league leaders 1952 league leaders 1953 league leaders 1954 league leaders 1955 league leaders 1956 league leaders 1957 league leaders

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