Cubs Career Home Run Leaders: Sammy Sosa, Ernie Banks the Pace Setters

It hasn't been smooth sailing for Chicago Cubs fans, but they're blessed with a rich and storied history that includes two players who have hit more than 500 homers in Cubbie blue.

Here's a look at the top 10 career home run hitters in Cubs franchise history (as of Jan. 10, 2025):

Cubs career home run leaders

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Cubs career home run list

1. Sammy Sosa (545 home runs)

Years with team: 1992-2004
Games with team: 1,811
Acquired: Trade with White Sox (March 30, 1992)

Between his role as Mark McGwire's foil in the great home run record chase of 1998 and solo pursuit of 70 in 2001, Sosa became synonymous with the longball in a big way with the Cubs. He reached the 60-homer plateau three times, earning MVP honors ahead of McGwire with his 66 moon shots in '98.

2. Ernie Banks (512 home runs)

Years with team: 1953-71
Games with team: 2,528
Acquired: Free agency (Sept. 8, 1953)

"Mr. Cub" might not hold the team's all-time home run record any longer, but he remains one of the most revered players in the franchise's storied history. Banks won back-to-back MVPs with the Cubbies, smashing a combined 92 home runs in those seasons, and reached the 40-homer plateau four times in all.

3. Billy Williams (392 home runs)

Years with team: 1959-74
Games with team: 2,213
Acquired: Free agency (1956)

Williams was a terrific compliment to Banks on those 1960s Cubs teams, making his name as one of the most consistent and durable players in the league (setting a major-league record by playing 695 consecutive games in the outfield). He also hit 30+ home runs five times for good measure.

4. Ron Santo (337 home runs)

Years with team: 1960-73
Games with team: 2,126
Acquired: Free agency (1959)

Another player you're sure to find on most Cubs fans' Mount Rushmore, Santo was one of the most patient hitters in baseball during his prime, leading the National League in walks four times over a five-year span. The man could rake, as well, putting together four straight 30-homer seasons from 1965-68.

5. Ryne Sandberg (282 home runs)

Years with team: 1982-97
Games with team: 2,151
Acquired: Trade with Philadelphia (Jan. 27, 1982)

The man they call "Ryno" brought a rare power stroke to the second base position in the 1980s and 1990s, highlighted by a 40-homer season in 1990 that made him the first 2B in history with consecutive 30-home run campaigns. He would follow that up with back-to-back 26-homer performances in 1991 and '92.

6. Anthony Rizzo (242 home runs)

Years with team: 2012-21
Games with team: 1,308
Acquired: Trade with San Diego (Jan. 6, 2012)

He's the only active player on the Cubs' all-time home run list, but he won't be adding to his total. Rizzo waved goodbye to the Cubs faithful when he was dealt to the New York Yankees on July 29, 2021 – but cans still have fond memories of the four straight 30-HR, 100-RBI seasons he posted from 2014-17.

7. Aramis Ramirez (239 home runs)

Years with team: 2003-11
Games with team: 1,124
Acquired: Trade with Pittsburgh (July 23, 2003)

Ramirez was a good hitter in parts of six seasons with Pittsburgh, but a July 2003 trade to the Windy City unlocked a whole new level of dominance. Ramirez batted .294 while averaging nearly 27 home runs in his nine seasons with the Cubs, including three-straight 30-home runs seasons capped by a career-best 38 in a remarkable 2006 campaign.

8. Gabby Hartnett (231 home runs)

Years with team: 1922-40
Games with team: 1,926
Acquired: Sent from Worcester (1922)

The Cubs' first Home Run King needed nearly 2,000 games to reach his respectable home-run tally, but helped his cause tremendously with an out-of-nowhere 37-homer campaign in 1930 that came with a .339 batting average and earned him a top-15 spot in MVP voting. He wouldn't hit more than 22 home runs in a season for the remainder of his career.

9. Bill Nicholson (205 home runs)

Years with team: 1939-48
Games with team: 1,349
Acquired: Purchased from Chattanooga (June 26, 1939)

Nicholson might not get the kind of league-wide attention reserved for more prominent players of his era, but in his prime, he was one of the most intimidating sluggers in baseball. Nicholson led the NL in home runs in 1943 and '44, earning top-3 MVP results in both. He added four other 20-home run seasons before landing in Philadelphia, where his star faded fast.

10. Hank Sauer (198 home runs)

Years with team: 1949-55
Games with team: 862
Acquired: Trade with Cincinnati (June 15, 1949)

It took Sauer eight years to become a full-time major leaguer – but he took full advantage of the opportunity when it finally came. Sauer thrived in his mid-30s with the Cubs, hitting 99 home runs over a three-year span (and earning the NL MVP award in 1952 for his troubles), then belted a career-best 41 homers in 1954 – his age-37 season.

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