The month of May 2019 finished with 1135 home runs, blowing away the previous record of 1069 home runs in May of 2000. More importantly, May 2019 produced the highest rate of home runs per plate appearance in the low mound ERA (1969 on), with 3.58% of plate appearances ending in home runs. May 2000 was also second at 3.37%.
The worst May in this ERA was in 1976, when home runs were hit in just 1.65% of PA.
For the current year, batters are hitting home runs in 3.51% of PA, also the highest in the low mound ERA. April and May both set records, and we’ll know in a few hours how June starts.
Just put a big asterisk to all stats in this juiced ball era. Glad to hear Cone say clearly that its the ball last night. AAA using MLB balls this year and HR rate up 50%