Here is the 2nd part of the list of best offensive seasons listed by player age. For the criteria, and my picks for ages 18-29 please check out part 1. Enjoy!

30-Miguel Cabrera

This was a neck-and-neck race. It could be fair to say that I should choose Ty Cobb’s 1917 season over Cabrera’s season, which isn’t even finished yet. Cobb’s 209 OPS+ is the highest of any player in their age 30 season, and he led the league in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. However I am willing to jump the gun, and claim Miguel Cabrera has been even better. He has a very good chance to become the first player in MLB history to win back-to-back triple crowns. He is dominating in average and RBI, and is less than a half dozen behind Chris Davis for the lead in homers. By the way, he would not only lead the Al in these 3 categories, but the entire Major Leagues. Another great age 30 season was put in by Hack Wilson, who accumulated a record 191 RBI in 1930.

31-Babe Ruth

This one was easy. Ruth was clearly the top choice. In 1926 he had a 225 OPS+ and a 216 wRC+. He led the league in homers, runs, RBI, walks, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.  Honestly there is a case to be made that Ruth could be the top contender for 10 of these seasons. The man was incredible, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Other players that could have won in a non-Ruthian universe were Lou Gehrig, who had the triple crown in 1934, and Rickey Henderson’s MVP 1990 season, when he led the league in OPS+ and steals.

32-Babe Ruth

Well, here we go again. In 1927  Ruth set the new MLB record with 60 homeruns. It would not be broken until 1961, by Roger Maris. He also recorded a .486 OBP and a .772 SLG. This Ruth guy was kind of ridiculous. Other players in consideration were Rogers Hornsby, who was his usual ho-hum .380+ hitter, and Sammy Sosa who had 64 dingers and a .437 OBP. There really was no other choice than Ruth though.

33-Babe Ruth

I am sick of seeing him here. You are sick of seeing him here. Honestly, he leaves me no choice. He had a typical Ruth season, 54 homers, 137 walks, 163 runs, and a 206 OPS+. Gehrig was also great as a 33 year old. He hit .354/.478/.696 in 1936. It is a little unfair that they were teammates.

34-Mark McGwire

Finally! I am so happy it is somebody new. This selection might make a lot of people upset. In 1998 McGwire he slugged a new record 70 homeruns, while at the same time leading the NL in OBP at .470. It is completely understandable to dismiss what he did, due to the PED’s, but quite frankly that is not the way my mind works. If you are the type of person that can’t ignore his use of performance enhancing drugs, than Honus Wagner in 1908 or Willie Mays in 1965 would be wise choices. Both players led their league in OBP and SLG.

35-Ted Williams

1954 was Williams first full season back from defending America in the Korean War. It was his second tour of duty, having fought in World War II previously. It is amazing that he was able to come back from the time away without missing a beat. In 1954 he had a .513 OBP, again a .513 OBP. That is insane. He also hit a homerun every 13 at-bats, an elite level rate. I will readily admit that I am slightly biased by the story of Williams coming back from a War, and being amazing from the get-go. If you feel Ruth, and his 211 OPS+ in 1930 is better, I can’t really argue with that.

36-Barry Bonds

Heads up, if you hate Barry Bonds, and I don’t begrudge you if you do, then you might get frustrated from here on out. In 2001 he transformed from first ballot Hall of Famer, to greatest player of all time. I freaking loved Barry Bonds. The man was a sight to behold with the bat, he pretty much either crushed the ball, or didn’t swing. In 2001 he set a MLB record with 73 homeruns. He also had a record .863 SLG%. There were no competitors for this title, but both Ruth and Williams were great at 36 years old.

37-Barry Bonds

In 2002 Bonds had a Major League record 268 OPS+. He walked 198 times. He hit 46 homers in only 403 at-bats. He was somehow better than the year before. If not for Bonds obliterating the  record books in the beginning of the millennium I would have chosen Hank Aaron. Aaron had arguably his best offensive season at the age of 37. He hit 47 homeruns, and had a career best 194 OPS+.

38-Ted Williams

This one is a complete tossup. Bonds had a .529 on-base percentage and a .749 slugging percentage. Ted Williams had a .525 on-base percentage and a .731 slugging percentage. Bonds only had 3 more plate appearances. Williams was 2 points higher in OPS+. Williams had a 9 point lead in wRC+. This is about as close of a race as there is. I went with Williams, but with very little work I could be talked into Bonds. A complete coin flip.

39-Barry Bonds

Major League record .609 OBP. Major league record 232 walks. Major League record 1.422 OPS. Nobody else has an OPS of at least 1.100 in their age 39 season. There is no reason to go further, it’s just not close. Ted Williams won the batting title as a 39 year old. Cy Williams led the league in homers when he was 39 years old. Paul Molitor led the AL in hits at 39 years old. Also, Jim Thome had a .412 OBP and a .627 SLG, but was limited to only 340 plate appearances.

40-Edgar Martinez

Let me start with a disclaimer; I am from Washington State, and grew up watching Edgar Martinez everyday. I am not going to sit here and tell you that has nothing to do with my selection. However, I still believe it is the right choice. In 2003 he came to the plate 603 times, and had a batting line of .294/.406/.489. He amassed 24 homers and drove in 98 runs. Those numbers have rarely been reached by a player in their 40’s. His 141 OPS+ is a tick below Willie Mays, but he had almost 70 more plate appearances. Dave Winfield was also awesome as a 40 year old, hitting .290/.377/.491.