Who led MLB in home runs in 2008?

Ryan Howard led the majors with 48 in 2008 (NL).

Who had the highest batting average in 2008?

Chipper Jones hit ..364, the best average among qualifying hitters in 2008 (NL).

Who led MLB in wins in 2008?

Cliff Lee led the majors with 22 wins in 2008 (AL).

2008 MLB League Leaders

Source Lahman databaseSeason 20082 major leagues12 boards per league

Ryan Howard led the majors with 48 in 2008. The American League and National League leaderboards below rank every qualifying hitter and pitcher of the 2008 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, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	AVG
1	Chipper Jones	ATL	NL	.364
2	Albert Pujols	SLN	NL	.357
3	Joe Mauer	MIN	AL	.328
4	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	AL	.326
5	Milton Bradley	TEX	AL	.321
5	Matt Holliday	COL	NL	.321
7	Ian Kinsler	TEX	AL	.319
8	Magglio Ordonez	DET	AL	.317
9	Cristian Guzman	WAS	NL	.316
10	Lance Berkman	HOU	NL	.312

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	HR
1	Ryan Howard	PHI	NL	48
2	Adam Dunn	CIN/ARI	NL	40
3	Carlos Delgado	NYN	NL	38
4	Ryan Braun	MIL	NL	37
4	Miguel Cabrera	DET	AL	37
4	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	NL	37
4	Albert Pujols	SLN	NL	37
8	Adrian Gonzalez	SDN	NL	36
8	Carlos Quentin	CHA	AL	36
10	Alex Rodriguez	NYA	AL	35

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	RBI
1	Ryan Howard	PHI	NL	146
2	Josh Hamilton	TEX	AL	130
3	Justin Morneau	MIN	AL	129
4	Miguel Cabrera	DET	AL	127
5	David Wright	NYN	NL	124
6	Adrian Gonzalez	SDN	NL	119
7	Albert Pujols	SLN	NL	116
8	Carlos Delgado	NYN	NL	115
8	Kevin Youkilis	BOS	AL	115
10	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	NL	113

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	R
1	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	NL	125
2	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	AL	118
3	Carlos Beltran	NYN	NL	116
4	David Wright	NYN	NL	115
5	Lance Berkman	HOU	NL	114
6	Nate McLouth	PIT	NL	113
6	Jose Reyes	NYN	NL	113
6	Chase Utley	PHI	NL	113
9	Curtis Granderson	DET	AL	112
10	Matt Holliday	COL	NL	107

H leaders

Hits leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	H
1	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	AL	213
1	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	AL	213
3	Jose Reyes	NYN	NL	204
4	Jose Lopez	SEA	AL	191
5	Josh Hamilton	TEX	AL	190
6	David Wright	NYN	NL	189
7	Justin Morneau	MIN	AL	187
7	Albert Pujols	SLN	NL	187
9	Orlando Cabrera	CHA	AL	186
9	Raul Ibanez	SEA	AL	186

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SB
1	Willy Taveras	COL	NL	68
2	Jose Reyes	NYN	NL	56
3	Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	AL	50
4	Jimmy Rollins	PHI	NL	47
5	B. J. Upton	TBA	AL	44
6	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	AL	43
7	Michael Bourn	HOU	NL	41
8	Brian Roberts	BAL	AL	40
9	Grady Sizemore	CLE	AL	38
10	Shane Victorino	PHI	NL	36

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	OPS+
1	Albert Pujols	SLN	NL	198
2	Chipper Jones	ATL	NL	181
3	Lance Berkman	HOU	NL	164
3	Milton Bradley	TEX	AL	164
5	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	NL	156
6	Matt Holliday	COL	NL	154
7	Carlos Quentin	CHA	AL	153
7	Alex Rodriguez	NYA	AL	153
9	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	NL	152
9	Kevin Youkilis	BOS	AL	152

Pitching leaders, all major leagues

W leaders

Wins leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	W
1	Cliff Lee	CLE	AL	22
1	Brandon Webb	ARI	NL	22
3	Roy Halladay	TOR	AL	20
3	Mike Mussina	NYA	AL	20
5	A. J. Burnett	TOR	AL	18
5	Tim Lincecum	SFN	NL	18
5	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	AL	18
8	Ryan Dempster	CHN	NL	17
8	Gavin Floyd	CHA	AL	17
8	Ted Lilly	CHN	NL	17

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA
1	Johan Santana	NYN	NL	2.53
2	Cliff Lee	CLE	AL	2.54
3	Tim Lincecum	SFN	NL	2.62
4	Roy Halladay	TOR	AL	2.78
5	Jake Peavy	SDN	NL	2.85
6	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	AL	2.90
7	Ryan Dempster	CHN	NL	2.96
8	Cole Hamels	PHI	NL	3.09
8	Ben Sheets	MIL	NL	3.09
10	Chad Billingsley	LAN	NL	3.14

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SO
1	Tim Lincecum	SFN	NL	265
2	A. J. Burnett	TOR	AL	231
3	Ervin Santana	LAA	AL	214
4	Roy Halladay	TOR	AL	206
4	Dan Haren	ARI	NL	206
4	Johan Santana	NYN	NL	206
4	Edinson Volquez	CIN	NL	206
8	Chad Billingsley	LAN	NL	201
9	Javier Vazquez	CHA	AL	200
10	Cole Hamels	PHI	NL	196

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SV
1	Francisco Rodriguez	LAA	AL	62
2	Jose Valverde	HOU	NL	44
3	Joakim Soria	KCA	AL	42
4	Brad Lidge	PHI	NL	41
4	Jonathan Papelbon	BOS	AL	41
4	Brian Wilson	SFN	NL	41
7	Joe Nathan	MIN	AL	39
7	Mariano Rivera	NYA	AL	39
9	Francisco Cordero	CIN	NL	34
9	Kerry Wood	CHN	NL	34

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 2008, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA+
1	Cliff Lee	CLE	AL	171
2	Johan Santana	NYN	NL	169
3	Tim Lincecum	SFN	NL	164
4	Roy Halladay	TOR	AL	156
5	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	AL	150
5	Jake Peavy	SDN	NL	150
7	Ryan Dempster	CHN	NL	145
8	Cole Hamels	PHI	NL	139
8	Ben Sheets	MIL	NL	139
10	Chad Billingsley	LAN	NL	137

Batting leaders, American League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Joe Mauer	MIN	.328
2	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	.326
3	Milton Bradley	TEX	.321
4	Ian Kinsler	TEX	.319
5	Magglio Ordonez	DET	.317
6	Kevin Youkilis	BOS	.312
7	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	.310
8	David DeJesus	KCA	.307
8	Placido Polanco	DET	.307
10	Nick Markakis	BAL	.306

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Miguel Cabrera	DET	37
2	Carlos Quentin	CHA	36
3	Alex Rodriguez	NYA	35
4	Jermaine Dye	CHA	34
4	Jim Thome	CHA	34
6	Jack Cust	OAK	33
6	Grady Sizemore	CLE	33
8	Jason Giambi	NYA	32
8	Josh Hamilton	TEX	32
8	Aubrey Huff	BAL	32

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Josh Hamilton	TEX	130
2	Justin Morneau	MIN	129
3	Miguel Cabrera	DET	127
4	Kevin Youkilis	BOS	115
5	Raul Ibanez	SEA	110
6	Aubrey Huff	BAL	108
7	Melvin Mora	BAL	104
8	Magglio Ordonez	DET	103
8	Alex Rodriguez	NYA	103
10	Carlos Peña	TBA	102

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	118
2	Curtis Granderson	DET	112
3	Brian Roberts	BAL	107
4	Nick Markakis	BAL	106
5	Jhonny Peralta	CLE	104
5	Alex Rodriguez	NYA	104
7	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	103
8	Ian Kinsler	TEX	102
8	Michael Young	TEX	102
10	Grady Sizemore	CLE	101

H leaders

Hits leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Dustin Pedroia	BOS	213
1	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	213
3	Jose Lopez	SEA	191
4	Josh Hamilton	TEX	190
5	Justin Morneau	MIN	187
6	Orlando Cabrera	CHA	186
6	Raul Ibanez	SEA	186
8	Alex Rios	TOR	185
9	Michael Young	TEX	183
10	Aubrey Huff	BAL	182

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	50
2	B. J. Upton	TBA	44
3	Ichiro Suzuki	SEA	43
4	Brian Roberts	BAL	40
5	Grady Sizemore	CLE	38
6	Chone Figgins	LAA	34
7	Carlos Gomez	MIN	33
8	Alex Rios	TOR	32
9	Johnny Damon	NYA	29
10	Ian Kinsler	TEX	26

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Milton Bradley	TEX	164
2	Carlos Quentin	CHA	153
2	Alex Rodriguez	NYA	153
4	Kevin Youkilis	BOS	152
5	Aubrey Huff	BAL	139
6	Nick Markakis	BAL	138
7	Josh Hamilton	TEX	137
8	Ian Kinsler	TEX	135
9	Vladimir Guerrero	LAA	133
10	Miguel Cabrera	DET	132

Pitching leaders, American League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Cliff Lee	CLE	22
2	Roy Halladay	TOR	20
2	Mike Mussina	NYA	20
4	A. J. Burnett	TOR	18
4	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	18
6	Gavin Floyd	CHA	17
6	Joe Saunders	LAA	17
8	Jon Lester	BOS	16
8	Ervin Santana	LAA	16
10	Mark Buehrle	CHA	15

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Cliff Lee	CLE	2.54
2	Roy Halladay	TOR	2.78
3	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	2.90
4	Jon Lester	BOS	3.21
5	John Danks	CHA	3.32
6	Mike Mussina	NYA	3.37
7	Joe Saunders	LAA	3.41
8	Scott Baker	MIN	3.45
8	Felix Hernandez	SEA	3.45
10	Zack Greinke	KCA	3.47

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	A. J. Burnett	TOR	231
2	Ervin Santana	LAA	214
3	Roy Halladay	TOR	206
4	Javier Vazquez	CHA	200
5	Zack Greinke	KCA	183
5	Gil Meche	KCA	183
7	Felix Hernandez	SEA	175
8	Josh Beckett	BOS	172
9	Cliff Lee	CLE	170
10	Justin Verlander	DET	163

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Francisco Rodriguez	LAA	62
2	Joakim Soria	KCA	42
3	Jonathan Papelbon	BOS	41
4	Joe Nathan	MIN	39
4	Mariano Rivera	NYA	39
6	B. J. Ryan	TOR	32
7	Bobby Jenks	CHA	30
8	Huston Street	OAK	18
9	Jensen Lewis	CLE	13
9	Dan Wheeler	TBA	13

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 2008, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Cliff Lee	CLE	171
2	Roy Halladay	TOR	156
3	Daisuke Matsuzaka	BOS	150
4	Jon Lester	BOS	135
5	John Danks	CHA	131
6	Mike Mussina	NYA	129
7	Joe Saunders	LAA	128
8	Scott Baker	MIN	126
8	Felix Hernandez	SEA	126
10	Zack Greinke	KCA	125

Batting leaders, National League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Chipper Jones	ATL	.364
2	Albert Pujols	SLN	.357
3	Matt Holliday	COL	.321
4	Cristian Guzman	WAS	.316
5	Lance Berkman	HOU	.312
6	Ryan Theriot	CHN	.307
7	Brian Giles	SDN	.306
7	Randy Winn	SFN	.306
9	Andre Ethier	LAN	.305
10	Skip Schumaker	SLN	.302

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Ryan Howard	PHI	48
2	Adam Dunn	CIN/ARI	40
3	Carlos Delgado	NYN	38
4	Ryan Braun	MIL	37
4	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	37
4	Albert Pujols	SLN	37
7	Adrian Gonzalez	SDN	36
8	Prince Fielder	MIL	34
9	Pat Burrell	PHI	33
9	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	33

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Ryan Howard	PHI	146
2	David Wright	NYN	124
3	Adrian Gonzalez	SDN	119
4	Albert Pujols	SLN	116
5	Carlos Delgado	NYN	115
6	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	113
7	Carlos Beltran	NYN	112
8	Aramis Ramirez	CHN	111
9	Lance Berkman	HOU	106
9	Ryan Braun	MIL	106

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	125
2	Carlos Beltran	NYN	116
3	David Wright	NYN	115
4	Lance Berkman	HOU	114
5	Nate McLouth	PIT	113
5	Jose Reyes	NYN	113
5	Chase Utley	PHI	113
8	Matt Holliday	COL	107
9	Ryan Howard	PHI	105
10	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	104

H leaders

Hits leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Jose Reyes	NYN	204
2	David Wright	NYN	189
3	Albert Pujols	SLN	187
4	Cristian Guzman	WAS	183
4	Randy Winn	SFN	183
6	Derrek Lee	CHN	181
7	Miguel Tejada	HOU	179
8	Stephen Drew	ARI	178
8	Ryan Theriot	CHN	178
10	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	177

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Willy Taveras	COL	68
2	Jose Reyes	NYN	56
3	Jimmy Rollins	PHI	47
4	Michael Bourn	HOU	41
5	Shane Victorino	PHI	36
6	Matt Kemp	LAN	35
6	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	35
8	Matt Holliday	COL	28
9	Carlos Beltran	NYN	25
9	Randy Winn	SFN	25

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Albert Pujols	SLN	198
2	Chipper Jones	ATL	181
3	Lance Berkman	HOU	164
4	Ryan Ludwick	SLN	156
5	Matt Holliday	COL	154
6	Hanley Ramirez	FLO	152
7	David Wright	NYN	147
8	Chase Utley	PHI	144
9	Adam Dunn	CIN/ARI	141
10	Aramis Ramirez	CHN	140

Pitching leaders, National League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Brandon Webb	ARI	22
2	Tim Lincecum	SFN	18
3	Ryan Dempster	CHN	17
3	Ted Lilly	CHN	17
3	Roy Oswalt	HOU	17
3	Edinson Volquez	CIN	17
7	Chad Billingsley	LAN	16
7	Aaron Cook	COL	16
7	Dan Haren	ARI	16
7	Jamie Moyer	PHI	16

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Johan Santana	NYN	2.53
2	Tim Lincecum	SFN	2.62
3	Jake Peavy	SDN	2.85
4	Ryan Dempster	CHN	2.96
5	Cole Hamels	PHI	3.09
5	Ben Sheets	MIL	3.09
7	Chad Billingsley	LAN	3.14
8	Edinson Volquez	CIN	3.21
9	Derek Lowe	LAN	3.24
10	Brandon Webb	ARI	3.30

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Tim Lincecum	SFN	265
2	Dan Haren	ARI	206
2	Johan Santana	NYN	206
2	Edinson Volquez	CIN	206
5	Chad Billingsley	LAN	201
6	Cole Hamels	PHI	196
7	Ryan Dempster	CHN	187
8	Matt Cain	SFN	186
8	Ricky Nolasco	FLO	186
10	Ted Lilly	CHN	184

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Jose Valverde	HOU	44
2	Brad Lidge	PHI	41
2	Brian Wilson	SFN	41
4	Francisco Cordero	CIN	34
4	Kerry Wood	CHN	34
6	Brian Fuentes	COL	30
7	Kevin Gregg	FLO	29
8	Salomon Torres	MIL	28
9	Brandon Lyon	ARI	26
10	Jon Rauch	WAS/ARI	18

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 2008, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Johan Santana	NYN	169
2	Tim Lincecum	SFN	164
3	Jake Peavy	SDN	150
4	Ryan Dempster	CHN	145
5	Cole Hamels	PHI	139
5	Ben Sheets	MIL	139
7	Chad Billingsley	LAN	137
8	Edinson Volquez	CIN	133
9	Derek Lowe	LAN	132
10	Brandon Webb	ARI	130

How the 2008 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

2002 league leaders 2003 league leaders 2004 league leaders 2005 league leaders 2006 league leaders 2007 league leaders 2009 league leaders 2010 league leaders 2011 league leaders 2012 league leaders 2013 league leaders 2014 league leaders

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