The Numbers Game

6 ... The number of ways for a batter to reach first base without getting a hit: walk; hit by a pitch; error; fielder’s choice; strikeout and wild pitch; catcher’s interference.

47 ... The greatest number of home runs in a single season by Hank Aaron, who holds the career home run record with 755. That came in 1971. Aaron won only four home run titles in his 23-year career, and topped the 40-home run mark eight times. He averaged just under 33 home runs a year over his career.

2,245 ... The record for runs in a career. Ty Cobb is the all-time leader, followed by Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron (2,174) and Pete Rose (2,165).

160,000 ... The approximate number of baseballs used in one major league season. Between five and six dozen (60-72) balls are used for every game. If there are 2,430 games played in a season, that means about 160,000 are used every year.