George Springer becomes UConn’s MLB home run king

George Springer became UConn’s all-time MLB home run leader Tuesday night after hitting a lead-off home run off of Oakland Athletics pitcher Tanner Roark. The #SpringerDinger was the 153rd of his career, putting him ahead of Walt Dropo’s career mark of 152.

The Houston Astros star has already put some distance between him and Dropo for the record, following up his leadoff homer with another home run in the third inning to put him at 154. The two home runs on the night give Springer 33 for the year, one shy of his career high of 34 set during his World Series MVP season in 2017.

That mark of 34 home runs in 2017 tied him with Dropo’s 1950 Rookie of the Year season for most homers in a year by a UConn alumnus, a record Springer should almost certainly break this year, barring injury.

Overall, Springer is putting the finishing touches on yet another season as one of baseball’s elite outfielders with his best season as a professional. The two-time all-star owns career highs in average (.295), on-base percentage (.385), slugging percentage (.571) and walk rate (11.9 percent) while accumulating 5.6 wins above replacement (WAR).