Times on base explained

In baseball statistics, the term times on base (TOB), is the cumulative total number of times a batter has reached base as a result of a hit, base on balls, or hit by pitch. This statistic does not include times reaching base by way of an error, uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction or a fielder's choice, making the statistic somewhat of a misnomer.

Times on base leaders in Major League Baseball

Career

As of the end of the 2021 season, the following are the top 10 players in career times on base.^[1]

1. Pete Rose – 5929
2. Barry Bonds – 5599
3. Ty Cobb – 5532
4. Rickey Henderson – 5343
5. Carl Yastrzemski – 5304
6. Stan Musial – 5282
7. Hank Aaron – 5205
8. Tris Speaker – 4998
9. Babe Ruth – 4978
10. Eddie Collins – 4891

Single-season

1. Babe Ruth, Yankees (1923) – 379
2. Barry Bonds, Giants (2004) – 376
3. Ted Williams, Red Sox (1949) – 358
4. Barry Bonds, Giants (2002) – 356
5. Billy Hamilton, Phillies (1894) – 355
6. Babe Ruth, Yankees (1921) – 353
7. Babe Ruth, Yankees (1924) – 346
8. Ted Williams, Red Sox (1947) – 345
9. Three players are tied for ninth:
   1. Lou Gehrig, Yankees (1936) -342
   2. Wade Boggs, Red Sox (1988) – 342
   3. Barry Bonds, Giants (2001) – 342

Single game

Three players have had 9 TOB in a single game:^[2]

• Max Carey, July 7, 1922 – six hits, three walks (18-inning game)^[3]
• Johnny Burnett, July 10, 1932 – nine hits (18-inning game)^[4]
• Stan Hack, August 9, 1942 – five hits, four walks (18-inning game)^[5]

Burnett's nine hits are the record for most hits in a single game in MLB history, albeit in extra innings.

See also

• On-base percentage (OBP), which is the ratio of TOB to the sum of at bats, base on balls, hit by pitch, and sacrifice flies

External links

• All-time career leaders from baseball-reference.com
• All-time single-season leaders from baseball-reference.com

Notes and References

1. Web site: Career Leaders & Records for Times On Base . Baseball Reference. August 15, 2022.
2. Web site: Batting Game Finder: From 1908 to 2018, (requiring TOB>=8), sorted by greatest TOB . Baseball Reference. August 17, 2018.
3. Web site: New York Giants 9, Pittsburgh Pirates 8 . . July 7, 1922 . September 16, 2022.
4. Web site: Philadelphia Athletics 18, Cleveland Indians 17 . . July 10, 1932 . September 16, 2022.
5. Web site: Chicago Cubs 10, Cincinnati Reds 8 (1) . . August 9, 1942 . September 16, 2022.