Here's a bizarre thought: what's the most homers allowed in a season by a pitcher before 1920?  The answer, unsurprisingly is the main pitcher for the 1884 Cubs, Larry Corcoran.   That year homers over a ridiculously short fence, in other years ruled doubles, were homers.  Multiple Cubs hit over 20 and Ned Williamson set the pre-Ruth record of 27.  What is surprising - at first - is that it's more than anyone had hit in a season, with 35 HRA.  I say at first because when you think about it, this makes sense.  The man threw over 500 innings.

What's a little more surprising is that three more guys were at 27, tying Williamson.  They all pitched between 338-349 IP, none of which was too extreme.

If you're curious, 35 remained the record until 1948, when Murray Dickson of the Cards allowed 39.  Jeepers.

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