Wins : 1979 American 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:

"Over 162 games, if my big guys are hitting and we get even halfway decent pitching, we'll beat their (our opponents) brains out." - Cincinnati Reds' Manager Sparky Anderson
 

1979 Wins Leaders

Top 25 in the American League

Mike Flanagan 23 Baltimore Orioles 1
Tommy John 21 New York Yankees 2
Jerry Koosman 20 Minnesota Twins 3
Ron Guidry 18 New York Yankees 4
Steve Comer 17 Texas Rangers 5
Dennis Eckersley 17 Boston Red Sox  
Jack Morris 17 Detroit Tigers  
Mike Caldwell 16 Milwaukee Brewers 8
Dave Frost 16 California Angels  
Fergie Jenkins 16 Texas Rangers  
Nolan Ryan 16 California Angels  
Bob Stanley 16 Boston Red Sox  
Mike Torrez 16 Boston Red Sox  
Rick Waits 16 Cleveland Indians  
Ken Kravec 15 Chicago White Sox 15
Dennis Martinez 15 Baltimore Orioles  
Jim Slaton 15 Milwaukee Brewers  
Lary Sorensen 15 Milwaukee Brewers  
Paul Splittorff 15 Kansas City Royals  
Rick Wise 15 Cleveland Indians  
Ron Davis 14 New York Yankees 21
Dave Goltz 14 Minnesota Twins  
Dennis Leonard 14 Kansas City Royals  
Mike Parrott 14 Seattle Mariners  
Bill Travers 14 Milwaukee Brewers  



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?