Jose Abreu of the White Sox made some history in 2015 by becoming the second player to hit 30 or more home runs and total 100-plus RBI in his first two seasons in the major leagues, joining Albert Pujols, who accomplished the feat in 2001-2002 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
But if you count players starting with their rookie season, there are four players with 30 HR and 100 or more RBI in their first two full major league campaigns.
Rudy York made his big league debut in 1934 with the Detroit Tigers and played only three games. He didn’t return to the majors until 1937, his rookie campaign, when he clubbed 35 home runs with 101 RBI. He followed that season with a 33-homer, 126-RBI performance in 1938.
In 1985, Jose Canseco had a cup of coffee in the majors with the A’s by appearing in 29 games after being called up in September. The following year, he captured the A.L. Rookie of the Year honors with 33 home runs and 117 RBI. He reached those plateaus again in 1987 with 31 homers and 113 RBI.
Either way you look at it, Abreu joined an exclusive big league fraternity by clubbing 30 or more homers and driving in 100-plus runs in his first two big league campaigns.
But if you count players starting with their rookie season, there are four players with 30 HR and 100 or more RBI in their first two full major league campaigns.
Rudy York made his big league debut in 1934 with the Detroit Tigers and played only three games. He didn’t return to the majors until 1937, his rookie campaign, when he clubbed 35 home runs with 101 RBI. He followed that season with a 33-homer, 126-RBI performance in 1938.
In 1985, Jose Canseco had a cup of coffee in the majors with the A’s by appearing in 29 games after being called up in September. The following year, he captured the A.L. Rookie of the Year honors with 33 home runs and 117 RBI. He reached those plateaus again in 1987 with 31 homers and 113 RBI.
Either way you look at it, Abreu joined an exclusive big league fraternity by clubbing 30 or more homers and driving in 100-plus runs in his first two big league campaigns.