Who led MLB in home runs in 1979?

Dave Kingman led the majors with 48 in 1979 (NL).

Who had the highest batting average in 1979?

Keith Hernandez hit ..344, the best average among qualifying hitters in 1979 (NL).

Who led MLB in wins in 1979?

Mike Flanagan led the majors with 23 wins in 1979 (AL).

1979 MLB League Leaders

Source Lahman databaseSeason 19792 major leagues12 boards per league

Dave Kingman led the majors with 48 in 1979. The American League and National League leaderboards below rank every qualifying hitter and pitcher of the 1979 season, from the SABR/Lahman baseball database.

← 1978 leaders All seasons 1980 leaders →

League

Showing all major leagues combined leader boards

Batting leaders, all major leagues

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	AVG
1	Keith Hernandez	SLN	NL	.344
2	Fred Lynn	BOS	AL	.333
3	Pete Rose	PHI	NL	.331
4	George Brett	KCA	AL	.329
5	Brian Downing	CAL	AL	.326
6	Jim Rice	BOS	AL	.325
7	Al Oliver	TEX	AL	.323
8	Paul Molitor	ML4	AL	.322
9	Sixto Lezcano	ML4	AL	.321
10	Steve Kemp	DET	AL	.318

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	HR
1	Dave Kingman	CHN	NL	48
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	45
2	Gorman Thomas	ML4	AL	45
4	Fred Lynn	BOS	AL	39
4	Jim Rice	BOS	AL	39
6	Don Baylor	CAL	AL	36
7	Ken Singleton	BAL	AL	35
8	Dave Winfield	SDN	NL	34
9	Bob Horner	ATL	NL	33
10	Bobby Grich	CAL	AL	30

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	RBI
1	Don Baylor	CAL	AL	139
2	Jim Rice	BOS	AL	130
3	Gorman Thomas	ML4	AL	123
4	Fred Lynn	BOS	AL	122
5	Dave Winfield	SDN	NL	118
6	Dave Kingman	CHN	NL	115
7	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	114
8	Darrell Porter	KCA	AL	112
9	Ken Singleton	BAL	AL	111
10	Steve Garvey	LAN	NL	110

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	R
1	Don Baylor	CAL	AL	120
2	George Brett	KCA	AL	119
3	Jim Rice	BOS	AL	117
4	Keith Hernandez	SLN	NL	116
4	Fred Lynn	BOS	AL	116
6	Carney Lansford	CAL	AL	114
7	Willie Wilson	KCA	AL	113
8	Ron LeFlore	DET	AL	110
8	Omar Moreno	PIT	NL	110
10	Ruppert Jones	SEA	AL	109

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	H
1	George Brett	KCA	AL	212
2	Garry Templeton	SLN	NL	211
3	Keith Hernandez	SLN	NL	210
4	Pete Rose	PHI	NL	208
5	Steve Garvey	LAN	NL	204
6	Jim Rice	BOS	AL	201
7	Buddy Bell	TEX	AL	200
8	Omar Moreno	PIT	NL	196
9	Dave Parker	PIT	NL	193
10	Gary Matthews	ATL	NL	192

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SB
1	Willie Wilson	KCA	AL	83
2	Ron LeFlore	DET	AL	78
3	Omar Moreno	PIT	NL	77
4	Bill North	SFN	NL	58
5	Davey Lopes	LAN	NL	44
5	Frank Taveras	PIT/NYN	NL	44
7	Rodney Scott	MON	NL	39
8	Al Bumbry	BAL	AL	37
8	Enos Cabell	HOU	NL	37
8	Tony Scott	SLN	NL	37

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	OPS+
1	Fred Lynn	BOS	AL	182
2	Dave Winfield	SDN	NL	167
3	Mike Schmidt	PHI	NL	166
4	Dave Kingman	CHN	NL	165
5	Sixto Lezcano	ML4	AL	164
6	Keith Hernandez	SLN	NL	162
7	Jim Rice	BOS	AL	160
8	Dave Parker	PIT	NL	154
9	Larry Parrish	MON	NL	153
10	Steve Kemp	DET	AL	152

Pitching leaders, all major leagues

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	W
1	Mike Flanagan	BAL	AL	23
2	Tommy John	NYA	AL	21
2	Joe Niekro	HOU	NL	21
2	Phil Niekro	ATL	NL	21
5	Jerry Koosman	MIN	AL	20
6	Steve Carlton	PHI	NL	18
6	Ron Guidry	NYA	AL	18
6	Rick Reuschel	CHN	NL	18
6	J. R. Richard	HOU	NL	18
10	Steve Comer	TEX	AL	17

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA
1	J. R. Richard	HOU	NL	2.71
2	Tom Hume	CIN	NL	2.76
3	Ron Guidry	NYA	AL	2.78
4	Tommy John	NYA	AL	2.96
5	Burt Hooton	LAN	NL	2.97
6	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	AL	2.99
7	Joe Niekro	HOU	NL	3.00
7	Steve Rogers	MON	NL	3.00
9	Ken Forsch	HOU	NL	3.04
9	Bill Lee	MON	NL	3.04

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SO
1	J. R. Richard	HOU	NL	313
2	Nolan Ryan	CAL	AL	223
3	Steve Carlton	PHI	NL	213
4	Phil Niekro	ATL	NL	208
5	Ron Guidry	NYA	AL	201
6	Mike Flanagan	BAL	AL	190
7	Bert Blyleven	PIT	NL	172
8	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	AL	164
9	Jerry Koosman	MIN	AL	157
10	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	AL	150

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SV
1	Bruce Sutter	CHN	NL	37
2	Mike Marshall	MIN	AL	32
3	Kent Tekulve	PIT	NL	31
4	Jim Kern	TEX	AL	29
5	Gene Garber	ATL	NL	25
6	Joe Sambito	HOU	NL	22
7	Aurelio Lopez	DET	AL	21
7	Don Stanhouse	BAL	AL	21
9	Gary Lavelle	SFN	NL	20
10	Sid Monge	CLE	AL	19

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1979, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA+
1	Ron Guidry	NYA	AL	152
2	Tommy John	NYA	AL	142
3	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	AL	141
4	J. R. Richard	HOU	NL	138
5	Mike Flanagan	BAL	AL	137
6	Tom Hume	CIN	NL	135
7	Jack Morris	DET	AL	129
8	Mike Caldwell	ML4	AL	128
9	Burt Hooton	LAN	NL	126
9	Scott McGregor	BAL	AL	126

Batting leaders, American League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Fred Lynn	BOS	.333
2	George Brett	KCA	.329
3	Brian Downing	CAL	.326
4	Jim Rice	BOS	.325
5	Al Oliver	TEX	.323
6	Paul Molitor	ML4	.322
7	Sixto Lezcano	ML4	.321
8	Steve Kemp	DET	.318
8	Chet Lemon	CHA	.318
10	Bruce Bochte	SEA	.316

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Gorman Thomas	ML4	45
2	Fred Lynn	BOS	39
2	Jim Rice	BOS	39
4	Don Baylor	CAL	36
5	Ken Singleton	BAL	35
6	Bobby Grich	CAL	30
7	Willie Horton	SEA	29
7	Reggie Jackson	NYA	29
7	Ben Oglivie	ML4	29
10	Butch Hobson	BOS	28

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Don Baylor	CAL	139
2	Jim Rice	BOS	130
3	Gorman Thomas	ML4	123
4	Fred Lynn	BOS	122
5	Darrell Porter	KCA	112
6	Ken Singleton	BAL	111
7	George Brett	KCA	107
8	Cecil Cooper	ML4	106
8	Willie Horton	SEA	106
10	Steve Kemp	DET	105

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Don Baylor	CAL	120
2	George Brett	KCA	119
3	Jim Rice	BOS	117
4	Fred Lynn	BOS	116
5	Carney Lansford	CAL	114
6	Willie Wilson	KCA	113
7	Ron LeFlore	DET	110
8	Ruppert Jones	SEA	109
9	Darrell Porter	KCA	101
10	Dan Ford	CAL	100

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	H
1	George Brett	KCA	212
2	Jim Rice	BOS	201
3	Buddy Bell	TEX	200
4	Carney Lansford	CAL	188
4	Paul Molitor	ML4	188
6	Don Baylor	CAL	186
7	Willie Wilson	KCA	185
8	Cecil Cooper	ML4	182
9	Willie Horton	SEA	180
9	Ron LeFlore	DET	180

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Willie Wilson	KCA	83
2	Ron LeFlore	DET	78
3	Al Bumbry	BAL	37
4	Bump Wills	TEX	35
5	Bobby Bonds	CLE	34
6	Ruppert Jones	SEA	33
6	Paul Molitor	ML4	33
6	Willie Randolph	NYA	33
9	Rick Manning	CLE	30
9	Amos Otis	KCA	30

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Fred Lynn	BOS	182
2	Sixto Lezcano	ML4	164
3	Jim Rice	BOS	160
4	Steve Kemp	DET	152
4	Ken Singleton	BAL	152
6	George Brett	KCA	150
7	Reggie Jackson	NYA	147
8	Darrell Porter	KCA	144
9	Don Baylor	CAL	141
9	Bobby Grich	CAL	141

Pitching leaders, American League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Mike Flanagan	BAL	23
2	Tommy John	NYA	21
3	Jerry Koosman	MIN	20
4	Ron Guidry	NYA	18
5	Steve Comer	TEX	17
5	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	17
5	Jack Morris	DET	17
8	Mike Caldwell	ML4	16
8	Dave Frost	CAL	16
8	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	16

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Ron Guidry	NYA	2.78
2	Tommy John	NYA	2.96
3	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	2.99
4	Mike Flanagan	BAL	3.08
5	Jack Morris	DET	3.28
6	Mike Caldwell	ML4	3.29
7	Scott McGregor	BAL	3.35
8	Jerry Koosman	MIN	3.38
9	Ross Baumgarten	CHA	3.54
10	Dave Frost	CAL	3.57

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Nolan Ryan	CAL	223
2	Ron Guidry	NYA	201
3	Mike Flanagan	BAL	190
4	Fergie Jenkins	TEX	164
5	Jerry Koosman	MIN	157
6	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	150
7	Dave Goltz	MIN	132
7	Ken Kravec	CHA	132
7	Dennis Martinez	BAL	132
10	Mike Parrott	SEA	127

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Mike Marshall	MIN	32
2	Jim Kern	TEX	29
3	Aurelio Lopez	DET	21
3	Don Stanhouse	BAL	21
5	Sid Monge	CLE	19
6	Rich Gossage	NYA	18
7	Mark Clear	CAL	14
7	Ed Farmer	TEX/CHA	14
7	Byron McLaughlin	SEA	14
10	Dick Drago	BOS	13

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1979, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Ron Guidry	NYA	152
2	Tommy John	NYA	142
3	Dennis Eckersley	BOS	141
4	Mike Flanagan	BAL	137
5	Jack Morris	DET	129
6	Mike Caldwell	ML4	128
7	Scott McGregor	BAL	126
8	Jerry Koosman	MIN	125
9	Ross Baumgarten	CHA	119
10	Dave Frost	CAL	118

Batting leaders, National League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Keith Hernandez	SLN	.344
2	Pete Rose	PHI	.331
3	Ray Knight	CIN	.318
4	Steve Garvey	LAN	.315
5	Bob Horner	ATL	.314
5	Garry Templeton	SLN	.314
7	Dave Parker	PIT	.310
8	Dave Winfield	SDN	.308
9	Larry Parrish	MON	.307
10	Gary Matthews	ATL	.304

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Dave Kingman	CHN	48
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	45
3	Dave Winfield	SDN	34
4	Bob Horner	ATL	33
5	Larry Parrish	MON	30
6	Ron Cey	LAN	28
6	Steve Garvey	LAN	28
6	Davey Lopes	LAN	28
9	Gary Matthews	ATL	27
10	Jack Clark	SFN	26

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Dave Winfield	SDN	118
2	Dave Kingman	CHN	115
3	Mike Schmidt	PHI	114
4	Steve Garvey	LAN	110
5	Keith Hernandez	SLN	105
6	Bob Horner	ATL	98
7	Dave Parker	PIT	94
8	Andre Dawson	MON	92
9	Gary Matthews	ATL	90
10	Dusty Baker	LAN	88

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Keith Hernandez	SLN	116
2	Omar Moreno	PIT	110
3	Davey Lopes	LAN	109
3	Dave Parker	PIT	109
3	Mike Schmidt	PHI	109
6	Garry Templeton	SLN	105
7	Jerry Royster	ATL	103
8	Dave Kingman	CHN	97
8	Gary Matthews	ATL	97
8	Dave Winfield	SDN	97

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Garry Templeton	SLN	211
2	Keith Hernandez	SLN	210
3	Pete Rose	PHI	208
4	Steve Garvey	LAN	204
5	Omar Moreno	PIT	196
6	Dave Parker	PIT	193
7	Gary Matthews	ATL	192
8	Dave Winfield	SDN	184
9	Warren Cromartie	MON	181
9	Lee Mazzilli	NYN	181

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Omar Moreno	PIT	77
2	Bill North	SFN	58
3	Davey Lopes	LAN	44
3	Frank Taveras	PIT/NYN	44
5	Rodney Scott	MON	39
6	Enos Cabell	HOU	37
6	Tony Scott	SLN	37
8	Jose Cruz	HOU	36
9	Andre Dawson	MON	35
9	Jerry Royster	ATL	35

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Dave Winfield	SDN	167
2	Mike Schmidt	PHI	166
3	Dave Kingman	CHN	165
4	Keith Hernandez	SLN	162
5	Dave Parker	PIT	154
6	Larry Parrish	MON	153
7	Bob Horner	ATL	150
8	Ron Cey	LAN	149
9	Ted Simmons	SLN	145
10	Gary Matthews	ATL	142

Pitching leaders, National League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Joe Niekro	HOU	21
1	Phil Niekro	ATL	21
3	Steve Carlton	PHI	18
3	Rick Reuschel	CHN	18
3	J. R. Richard	HOU	18
6	Rick Sutcliffe	LAN	17
7	Bill Lee	MON	16
7	Tom Seaver	CIN	16
9	Silvio Martinez	SLN	15
9	Pete Vuckovich	SLN	15

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	J. R. Richard	HOU	2.71
2	Tom Hume	CIN	2.76
3	Burt Hooton	LAN	2.97
4	Joe Niekro	HOU	3.00
4	Steve Rogers	MON	3.00
6	Ken Forsch	HOU	3.04
6	Bill Lee	MON	3.04
8	Gaylord Perry	SDN	3.06
9	Tom Seaver	CIN	3.14
10	Bruce Kison	PIT	3.19

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	J. R. Richard	HOU	313
2	Steve Carlton	PHI	213
3	Phil Niekro	ATL	208
4	Bert Blyleven	PIT	172
5	Lynn McGlothen	CHN	147
6	Don Sutton	LAN	146
7	Craig Swan	NYN	145
7	Pete Vuckovich	SLN	145
9	Steve Rogers	MON	143
10	Gaylord Perry	SDN	140

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Bruce Sutter	CHN	37
2	Kent Tekulve	PIT	31
3	Gene Garber	ATL	25
4	Joe Sambito	HOU	22
5	Gary Lavelle	SFN	20
6	Elias Sosa	MON	18
7	Tom Hume	CIN	17
8	Doug Bair	CIN	16
8	Tug McGraw	PHI	16
10	Grant Jackson	PIT	14

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1979, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	J. R. Richard	HOU	138
2	Tom Hume	CIN	135
3	Burt Hooton	LAN	126
4	Joe Niekro	HOU	124
4	Steve Rogers	MON	124
6	Ken Forsch	HOU	123
6	Bill Lee	MON	123
8	Gaylord Perry	SDN	122
9	Tom Seaver	CIN	119
10	Bruce Kison	PIT	117

How the 1979 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

1973 league leaders 1974 league leaders 1975 league leaders 1976 league leaders 1977 league leaders 1978 league leaders 1980 league leaders 1981 league leaders 1982 league leaders 1983 league leaders 1984 league leaders 1985 league leaders

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