Runs Batted In : 1881 National League Top 25

Finding the American or National League leader in virtually every hitting & pitching statistic is easy-to-do. Finding the top 25 players during any given season is far more challenging. Baseball Almanac has taken away that difficult problem and is pleased to present the data you requested:

"I don't think I stayed for a complete game that first year (in Arizona). But something happened. During the second year, I started watching more intently, listening to the broadcasters talk about strategy. I started getting it. Suddenly, a 162-game season didn't seem ridiculously long anymore." - Richard Ruelas in The Arizona Republic (11-07-2001)
 

1881 Runs Batted In Leaders

Top 25 in the National League

Cap Anson 82 Chicago White Stockings 1
Charlie Bennett 64 Detroit Wolverines 2
King Kelly 55 Chicago White Stockings 3
Hardy Richardson 53 Buffalo Bisons 4
John Ward 53 Providence Grays  
Deacon White 53 Buffalo Bisons  
Lon Knight 52 Detroit Wolverines 7
Ned Williamson 48 Chicago White Stockings 8
Tom York 47 Providence Grays 9
Dan Brouthers 45 Buffalo Bisons 10
George Gore 44 Chicago White Stockings 11
Bill Phillips 44 Cleveland Blues  
Jack Rowe 43 Buffalo Bisons 13
Tom Burns 42 Chicago White Stockings 14
Pete Gillespie 41 Troy Trojans 15
John Morrill 39 Boston Red Caps 16
Martin Powell 38 Detroit Wolverines 17
Abner Dalrymple 37 Chicago White Stockings 18
Jack Farrell 36 Providence Grays 19
Joe Gerhardt 36 Detroit Wolverines  
Sadie Houck 36 Detroit Wolverines  
Bob Ferguson 35 Troy Trojans 22
Pete Hotaling 35 Worcester Ruby Legs  
Silver Flint 34 Chicago White Stockings 24
Orator Shafer 34 Cleveland Blues  



Jim Thome wore number twenty-five since he first came up with the Cleveland Indians making him the franchise record holder for that particular number (Mike Garcia is second).

The first player from the Angels franchise (they were the California Angels at the time) to wear the number twenty-five was Bob Perry.

The most recognizable Detroit Tiger to wear the number twenty-five was probably Norm Cash (who wore it from 1960 through 1974), but did you know that Hall of Famer Larry Doby also wore it during his single season with Detroit?