Who led MLB in home runs in 1974?

Mike Schmidt led the majors with 36 in 1974 (NL).

Who had the highest batting average in 1974?

Rod Carew hit ..364, the best average among qualifying hitters in 1974 (AL).

Who led MLB in wins in 1974?

Catfish Hunter led the majors with 25 wins in 1974 (AL).

1974 MLB League Leaders

Source Lahman databaseSeason 19742 major leagues12 boards per league

Mike Schmidt led the majors with 36 in 1974. The American League and National League leaderboards below rank every qualifying hitter and pitcher of the 1974 season, from the SABR/Lahman baseball database.

← 1973 leaders All seasons 1975 leaders →

League

Showing all major leagues combined leader boards

Batting leaders, all major leagues

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	AVG
1	Rod Carew	MIN	AL	.364
2	Ralph Garr	ATL	NL	.353
3	Al Oliver	PIT	NL	.321
4	Jorge Orta	CHA	AL	.316
5	Bill Buckner	LAN	NL	.314
5	Greg Gross	HOU	NL	.314
7	Bill Madlock	CHN	NL	.313
7	Richie Zisk	PIT	NL	.313
9	Steve Garvey	LAN	NL	.312
10	Hal McRae	KCA	AL	.310

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	HR
1	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	36
2	Johnny Bench	CIN	NL	33
3	Dick Allen	CHA	AL	32
3	Jim Wynn	LAN	NL	32
5	Reggie Jackson	OAK	AL	29
6	Tony Perez	CIN	NL	28
7	Cesar Cedeno	HOU	NL	26
7	Gene Tenace	OAK	AL	26
9	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	AL	25
9	Bobby Darwin	MIN	AL	25

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	RBI
1	Johnny Bench	CIN	NL	129
2	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	AL	118
3	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	116
4	Steve Garvey	LAN	NL	111
5	Jim Wynn	LAN	NL	108
6	Sal Bando	OAK	AL	103
6	Ted Simmons	SLN	NL	103
8	Cesar Cedeno	HOU	NL	102
9	Tony Perez	CIN	NL	101
10	Reggie Smith	SLN	NL	100

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	R
1	Pete Rose	CIN	NL	110
2	Johnny Bench	CIN	NL	108
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	108
4	Joe Morgan	CIN	NL	107
5	Lou Brock	SLN	NL	105
6	Jim Wynn	LAN	NL	104
7	Darrell Evans	ATL	NL	99
8	Bobby Bonds	SFN	NL	97
8	Larry Bowa	PHI	NL	97
8	Richie Hebner	PIT	NL	97

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	H
1	Rod Carew	MIN	AL	218
2	Ralph Garr	ATL	NL	214
3	Dave Cash	PHI	NL	206
4	Steve Garvey	LAN	NL	200
5	Al Oliver	PIT	NL	198
6	Rennie Stennett	PIT	NL	196
7	Lou Brock	SLN	NL	194
8	Greg Gross	HOU	NL	185
8	Pete Rose	CIN	NL	185
10	Larry Bowa	PHI	NL	184

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SB
1	Lou Brock	SLN	NL	118
2	Davey Lopes	LAN	NL	59
3	Joe Morgan	CIN	NL	58
4	Cesar Cedeno	HOU	NL	57
5	Bill North	OAK	AL	54
6	Bobby Bonds	SFN	NL	41
6	Dave Concepcion	CIN	NL	41
8	Larry Bowa	PHI	NL	39
9	Rod Carew	MIN	AL	38
10	Enzo Hernandez	SDN	NL	37

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	OPS+
1	Willie Stargell	PIT	NL	171
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	170
3	Dick Allen	CHA	AL	168
4	Joe Morgan	CIN	NL	166
5	Reggie Smith	SLN	NL	163
6	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	AL	159
6	Reggie Jackson	OAK	AL	159
8	Ralph Garr	ATL	NL	155
9	Rod Carew	MIN	AL	154
9	Jim Wynn	LAN	NL	154

Pitching leaders, all major leagues

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	W
1	Catfish Hunter	OAK	AL	25
1	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	AL	25
3	Steve Busby	KCA	AL	22
3	Mike Cuellar	BAL	AL	22
3	Nolan Ryan	CAL	AL	22
3	Luis Tiant	BOS	AL	22
7	Jim Kaat	CHA	AL	21
7	Gaylord Perry	CLE	AL	21
9	Andy Messersmith	LAN	NL	20
9	Phil Niekro	ATL	NL	20

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA
1	Buzz Capra	ATL	NL	2.28
2	Phil Niekro	ATL	NL	2.38
3	Jon Matlack	NYN	NL	2.41
4	Mike Marshall	LAN	NL	2.42
5	Catfish Hunter	OAK	AL	2.49
6	Gaylord Perry	CLE	AL	2.51
7	Andy Messersmith	LAN	NL	2.59
8	Bert Blyleven	MIN	AL	2.66
9	Lynn McGlothen	SLN	NL	2.69
10	Jim Barr	SFN	NL	2.74

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SO
1	Nolan Ryan	CAL	AL	367
2	Bert Blyleven	MIN	AL	249
3	Steve Carlton	PHI	NL	240
4	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	AL	225
5	Andy Messersmith	LAN	NL	221
6	Gaylord Perry	CLE	AL	216
7	Mickey Lolich	DET	AL	202
8	Tom Seaver	NYN	NL	201
9	Steve Busby	KCA	AL	198
10	Jon Matlack	NYN	NL	195

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SV
1	Terry Forster	CHA	AL	24
2	Mike Marshall	LAN	NL	21
3	Tom Murphy	ML4	AL	20
4	Bill Campbell	MIN	AL	19
5	Tom Buskey	NYA/CLE	AL	18
5	Rollie Fingers	OAK	AL	18
7	Sparky Lyle	NYA	AL	15
7	Randy Moffitt	SFN	NL	15
9	Pedro Borbon	CIN	NL	14
10	John Hiller	DET	AL	13

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1974, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA+
1	Buzz Capra	ATL	NL	159
2	Phil Niekro	ATL	NL	152
3	Mike Marshall	LAN	NL	150
3	Jon Matlack	NYN	NL	150
5	Catfish Hunter	OAK	AL	145
6	Gaylord Perry	CLE	AL	144
7	Andy Messersmith	LAN	NL	140
8	Bert Blyleven	MIN	AL	136
9	Lynn McGlothen	SLN	NL	134
10	Jim Barr	SFN	NL	132

Batting leaders, American League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Rod Carew	MIN	.364
2	Jorge Orta	CHA	.316
3	Hal McRae	KCA	.310
4	Lou Piniella	NYA	.305
5	Elliott Maddox	NYA	.303
6	Lenny Randle	TEX	.302
7	Dick Allen	CHA	.301
7	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	.301
7	Carl Yastrzemski	BOS	.301
10	Joe Rudi	OAK	.293

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Dick Allen	CHA	32
2	Reggie Jackson	OAK	29
3	Gene Tenace	OAK	26
4	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	25
4	Bobby Darwin	MIN	25
6	Sal Bando	OAK	22
6	John Mayberry	KCA	22
6	Graig Nettles	NYA	22
6	Frank Robinson	CAL/CLE	22
6	Joe Rudi	OAK	22

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	118
2	Sal Bando	OAK	103
3	Joe Rudi	OAK	99
4	Ken Henderson	CHA	95
5	Bobby Darwin	MIN	94
6	Reggie Jackson	OAK	93
7	Dick Allen	CHA	88
7	Hal McRae	KCA	88
7	Bobby Murcer	NYA	88
10	Tommy Davis	BAL	84

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Carl Yastrzemski	BOS	93
2	Bobby Grich	BAL	92
3	Reggie Jackson	OAK	90
4	Amos Otis	KCA	87
5	Rod Carew	MIN	86
6	Don Money	ML4	85
7	Dick Allen	CHA	84
7	Sal Bando	OAK	84
7	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	84
10	Frank Robinson	CAL/CLE	81

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Rod Carew	MIN	218
2	Tommy Davis	BAL	181
3	Don Money	ML4	178
4	Ken Henderson	CHA	176
5	Joe Rudi	OAK	174
6	George Scott	ML4	170
7	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	167
7	Hal McRae	KCA	167
9	Bobby Murcer	NYA	166
9	Jorge Orta	CHA	166

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Bill North	OAK	54
2	Rod Carew	MIN	38
3	John Lowenstein	CLE	36
4	Bert Campaneris	OAK	34
5	Freddie Patek	KCA	33
6	Mickey Rivers	CAL	30
7	Don Baylor	BAL	29
8	Paul Blair	BAL	27
9	Lenny Randle	TEX	26
10	Reggie Jackson	OAK	25

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Dick Allen	CHA	168
2	Jeff Burroughs	TEX	159
2	Reggie Jackson	OAK	159
4	Rod Carew	MIN	154
5	Carl Yastrzemski	BOS	148
6	Hal McRae	KCA	144
7	Oscar Gamble	CLE	139
8	Ken Henderson	CHA	137
9	Frank Robinson	CAL/CLE	136
10	Larry Hisle	MIN	135

Pitching leaders, American League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Catfish Hunter	OAK	25
1	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	25
3	Steve Busby	KCA	22
3	Mike Cuellar	BAL	22
3	Nolan Ryan	CAL	22
3	Luis Tiant	BOS	22
7	Jim Kaat	CHA	21
7	Gaylord Perry	CLE	21
9	Wilbur Wood	CHA	20
10	Jim Bibby	TEX	19

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Catfish Hunter	OAK	2.49
2	Gaylord Perry	CLE	2.51
3	Bert Blyleven	MIN	2.66
4	Al Fitzmorris	KCA	2.79
5	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	2.82
6	Nolan Ryan	CAL	2.89
7	Jim Kaat	CHA	2.92
7	Luis Tiant	BOS	2.92
9	Jim Perry	CLE	2.96
10	Pat Dobson	NYA	3.07

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Nolan Ryan	CAL	367
2	Bert Blyleven	MIN	249
3	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	225
4	Gaylord Perry	CLE	216
5	Mickey Lolich	DET	202
6	Steve Busby	KCA	198
7	Frank Tanana	CAL	180
8	Joe Coleman	DET	177
9	Luis Tiant	BOS	176
10	Vida Blue	OAK	174

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Terry Forster	CHA	24
2	Tom Murphy	ML4	20
3	Bill Campbell	MIN	19
4	Tom Buskey	NYA/CLE	18
4	Rollie Fingers	OAK	18
6	Sparky Lyle	NYA	15
7	John Hiller	DET	13
8	Steve Foucault	TEX	12
8	Grant Jackson	BAL	12
10	Doug Bird	KCA	10

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1974, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Catfish Hunter	OAK	145
2	Gaylord Perry	CLE	144
3	Bert Blyleven	MIN	136
4	Al Fitzmorris	KCA	129
5	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	128
6	Nolan Ryan	CAL	125
7	Jim Kaat	CHA	124
7	Luis Tiant	BOS	124
9	Jim Perry	CLE	122
10	Pat Dobson	NYA	118

Batting leaders, National League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Ralph Garr	ATL	.353
2	Al Oliver	PIT	.321
3	Bill Buckner	LAN	.314
3	Greg Gross	HOU	.314
5	Bill Madlock	CHN	.313
5	Richie Zisk	PIT	.313
7	Steve Garvey	LAN	.312
8	Bake McBride	SLN	.309
8	Reggie Smith	SLN	.309
10	Lou Brock	SLN	.306

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Mike Schmidt	PHI	36
2	Johnny Bench	CIN	33
3	Jim Wynn	LAN	32
4	Tony Perez	CIN	28
5	Cesar Cedeno	HOU	26
6	Darrell Evans	ATL	25
6	Willie Stargell	PIT	25
8	Lee May	HOU	24
9	Reggie Smith	SLN	23
10	Joe Morgan	CIN	22

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Johnny Bench	CIN	129
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	116
3	Steve Garvey	LAN	111
4	Jim Wynn	LAN	108
5	Ted Simmons	SLN	103
6	Cesar Cedeno	HOU	102
7	Tony Perez	CIN	101
8	Reggie Smith	SLN	100
8	Richie Zisk	PIT	100
10	Ron Cey	LAN	97

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Pete Rose	CIN	110
2	Johnny Bench	CIN	108
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	108
4	Joe Morgan	CIN	107
5	Lou Brock	SLN	105
6	Jim Wynn	LAN	104
7	Darrell Evans	ATL	99
8	Bobby Bonds	SFN	97
8	Larry Bowa	PHI	97
8	Richie Hebner	PIT	97

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Ralph Garr	ATL	214
2	Dave Cash	PHI	206
3	Steve Garvey	LAN	200
4	Al Oliver	PIT	198
5	Rennie Stennett	PIT	196
6	Lou Brock	SLN	194
7	Greg Gross	HOU	185
7	Pete Rose	CIN	185
9	Larry Bowa	PHI	184
10	Bill Buckner	LAN	182

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Lou Brock	SLN	118
2	Davey Lopes	LAN	59
3	Joe Morgan	CIN	58
4	Cesar Cedeno	HOU	57
5	Bobby Bonds	SFN	41
5	Dave Concepcion	CIN	41
7	Larry Bowa	PHI	39
8	Enzo Hernandez	SDN	37
9	Bill Buckner	LAN	31
10	Bake McBride	SLN	30

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Willie Stargell	PIT	171
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	170
3	Joe Morgan	CIN	166
4	Reggie Smith	SLN	163
5	Ralph Garr	ATL	155
6	Jim Wynn	LAN	154
7	Johnny Bench	CIN	150
8	Richie Zisk	PIT	148
9	Bob Bailey	MON	143
10	Rick Monday	CHN	142

Pitching leaders, National League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Andy Messersmith	LAN	20
1	Phil Niekro	ATL	20
3	Jack Billingham	CIN	19
3	Don Sutton	LAN	19
5	Don Gullett	CIN	17
5	Jim Lonborg	PHI	17
7	Buzz Capra	ATL	16
7	Steve Carlton	PHI	16
7	Lynn McGlothen	SLN	16
7	Carl Morton	ATL	16

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Buzz Capra	ATL	2.28
2	Phil Niekro	ATL	2.38
3	Jon Matlack	NYN	2.41
4	Mike Marshall	LAN	2.42
5	Andy Messersmith	LAN	2.59
6	Lynn McGlothen	SLN	2.69
7	Jim Barr	SFN	2.74
8	Jim Rooker	PIT	2.78
9	Larry Dierker	HOU	2.90
10	Mike Caldwell	SFN	2.95

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Steve Carlton	PHI	240
2	Andy Messersmith	LAN	221
3	Tom Seaver	NYN	201
4	Jon Matlack	NYN	195
4	Phil Niekro	ATL	195
6	Bill Bonham	CHN	191
7	Jerry Koosman	NYN	188
8	Don Gullett	CIN	183
9	Don Sutton	LAN	179
10	John D'Acquisto	SFN	167

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Mike Marshall	LAN	21
2	Randy Moffitt	SFN	15
3	Pedro Borbon	CIN	14
4	Dave Giusti	PIT	12
5	Tom House	ATL	11
5	Chuck Taylor	MON	11
7	Ken Forsch	HOU	10
7	Dale Murray	MON	10
7	Oscar Zamora	CHN	10
10	Al Hrabosky	SLN	9

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1974, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Buzz Capra	ATL	159
2	Phil Niekro	ATL	152
3	Mike Marshall	LAN	150
3	Jon Matlack	NYN	150
5	Andy Messersmith	LAN	140
6	Lynn McGlothen	SLN	134
7	Jim Barr	SFN	132
8	Jim Rooker	PIT	130
9	Larry Dierker	HOU	125
10	Mike Caldwell	SFN	123

How the 1974 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

1968 league leaders 1969 league leaders 1970 league leaders 1971 league leaders 1972 league leaders 1973 league leaders 1975 league leaders 1976 league leaders 1977 league leaders 1978 league leaders 1979 league leaders 1980 league leaders

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