BT
1923–1936 · 1B

Bill Terry

6' 1", 200 lbs·Lived to 91·Bats L / Throws L
Hall of Fame · 1954All-Star
The Almanac's Take

The last National Leaguer to hit .400 accomplished the feat during the most offense-heavy season in baseball history. Terry's .401 average in 1930 came when the entire NL hit .303, yet he still stood apart from his contemporaries by nearly 30 points.

Terry's .341 career average over 14 seasons with the Giants represents sustained excellence rather than a brief peak. He drove in 100-plus runs six times and rarely struck out, embodying the contact-heavy approach that defined pre-war baseball. His 154 home runs might seem modest today, but he ranked among the game's premier sluggers during an era when most first basemen were selected purely for their gloves.

Beyond the statistics, Terry bridged two distinct baseball eras. He played alongside aging legends like Rogers Hornsby while mentoring future stars, eventually managing the Giants to a World Series title in 1933. His .401 season remains the high-water mark for National League hitting in the modern era.

Career Highs
28
Most HR · 1932
129
Most RBI · 1930
.401
Best AVG · 1930
Statistical Comps

Career · Batting

14 seasons
YearTeamGABHRRBIAVGOPSOPS+
1923NY13700.143
1924NY177163524.239
1925NY11334891170.319
1926NY198225543.289
1927NY115058020121.326
1928NY114956817101.326
1929NY115060714117.372
1930NY115463323129.401
1931NY11536119112.349
1932NY115464328117.350
1933NY1123475658.322
1934NY1153602883.354
1935NY1145596664.341
1936NY179229239.310
Career172164281541078.341
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Bill Terry Stats & Analysis | The Almanac