ArticlesArticle
One-year wonders
Brady Anderson's 50 home runs, Josh Gordon's 1,646 yards, Wayne Babych's 54 goals, Frank McAvennie's 26 for West Ham: the great seasons nobody saw coming and nobody saw again, in five sports, and why basketball barely has any.
By Austin · October 17, 2026
Every sport has players who had one season nobody saw coming and nobody saw again. We went through every finished career of at least six seasons in five sports for the seasons that were among the ten best in the league that year and towered over everything else the player did.
| Sport | Stat | Top-10 seasons | 1.5 times his next best | Most lopsided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | home runs | 320 | 31 | Davey Johnson, 43 (1973) |
| wins | 497 | 65 | Kyle Wright, 21 (2022) | |
| Basketball | points per game | 163 | 0 | Walt Hazzard, 24.0 (1967-68) |
| Football | rushing yards | 66 | 3 | Justin Forsett, 1,266 (2014) |
| receiving yards | 66 | 7 | Steve Smith, 1,220 (2009) | |
| Hockey | goals | 319 | 37 | Wayne Babych, 54 (1980-81) |
| points | 280 | 14 | Dutch Gainor, 49 (1929-30) | |
| Soccer | league goals | 297 | 60 | Frank McAvennie, 26 (1985-86) |
Baseball
Davey Johnson, a second baseman who had never hit more than 18 home runs, hit 43 for the 1973 Braves. Brady Anderson hit 50 for the Orioles in 1996; his next best was 24. Luis Gonzalez hit 57 for the 2001 Diamondbacks, 26 more than in any other season. On the mound, Kyle Wright led the majors with 21 wins in 2022 and has won no more than two in any other season, and Bob Welch won 27 and the Cy Young Award in 1990, ten more than his next best.
Home runs
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davey JohnsonAtlanta Braves | 1973 | 43 | 18 |
| Billy SouthworthNew York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals | 1926 | 16 | 7 |
| Chuck WorkmanBoston Braves | 1945 | 25 | 11 |
| Tommy HolmesBoston Braves | 1945 | 28 | 13 |
| Willard MarshallNew York Giants | 1947 | 36 | 17 |
| Brady AndersonBaltimore Orioles | 1996 | 50 | 24 |
| George CroweCincinnati Redlegs | 1957 | 31 | 15 |
| Bob CervKansas City Athletics | 1958 | 38 | 20 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Andre Dawson (49 in 1987, next best 32), Fred Lynn (39 in 1979, next best 25), Luis Gonzalez (57 in 2001, next best 31), Gabby Hartnett (37 in 1930, next best 24), Walker Cooper (35 in 1947, next best 20) and Roger Maris (61 in 1961, next best 39).
Wins
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle WrightAtlanta Braves | 2022 | 21 | 2 |
| Domingo GermanNew York Yankees | 2019 | 18 | 5 |
| Johnny BeazleySt. Louis Cardinals | 1942 | 21 | 7 |
| Gene BeardenCleveland Indians | 1948 | 20 | 8 |
| Ernie WhiteSt. Louis Cardinals | 1941 | 17 | 7 |
| Roxie LawsonDetroit Tigers | 1937 | 18 | 8 |
| Jeff BallardBaltimore Orioles | 1989 | 18 | 8 |
| Pete SchourekCincinnati Reds | 1995 | 18 | 8 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Roy Face (18 in 1959, next best 12), Bob Welch (27 in 1990, next best 17), John Burkett (22 in 1993, next best 14), Ralph Branca (21 in 1947, next best 14), Daniel Hudson (16 in 2011, next best 9) and Dolf Luque (27 in 1923, next best 17).
Basketball
Basketball doesn't really do one-year wonders. Scoring takes minutes and shots, and coaches hand those to players who have already shown they can use them, so a big season tends to come after a good one and before another. Walt Hazzard's 24 points a game for the 1967-68 SuperSonics comes closest; his next best was 16.5. Michael Adams scored 26.5 a game in 1990-91 in Paul Westhead's run-and-gun Denver offense, and Isaiah Thomas scored 28.9 for the 2016-17 Celtics before a hip injury.
Points per game
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walt HazzardSeattle SuperSonics | 1967-68 | 24.0 | 16.5 |
| Michael AdamsDenver Nuggets | 1990-91 | 26.5 | 18.5 |
| LaPhonso EllisDenver Nuggets | 1996-97 | 21.9 | 15.4 |
| Richie GuerinNew York Knicks | 1961-62 | 29.5 | 21.8 |
| Jim JacksonDallas Mavericks | 1994-95 | 25.7 | 19.6 |
| Isaiah ThomasBoston Celtics | 2016-17 | 28.9 | 22.2 |
| George YardleyDetroit Pistons | 1957-58 | 27.8 | 21.5 |
| Frank SelvyMilwaukee Hawks | 1954-55 | 19.0 | 14.7 |
Football
Josh Gordon led the league with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013, in 14 games, and never reached 1,000 again. Justin Forsett, a journeyman running back, ran for 1,266 yards for the 2014 Ravens in his seventh season; his next best was about half that. Jamal Lewis and Chris Johnson both topped 2,000 rushing yards, and neither came within 600 yards of it again.
Rushing yards
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin ForsettBaltimore Ravens | 2014 | 1,266 | 641 |
| Stevan RidleyNew England Patriots | 2012 | 1,263 | 773 |
| Jamal LewisBaltimore Ravens | 2003 | 2,063 | 1,338 |
| Chris JohnsonTennessee Titans | 2009 | 2,006 | 1,364 |
| Mike AndersonDenver Broncos | 2000 | 1,491 | 1,014 |
| Chester TaylorMinnesota Vikings | 2006 | 1,214 | 844 |
| DeMarco MurrayDallas Cowboys | 2014 | 1,845 | 1,287 |
| Frank GoreSan Francisco 49ers | 2006 | 1,695 | 1,214 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Jamal Lewis (2,063 in 2003, next best 1,338), Justin Forsett (1,266 in 2014, next best 641) and Stevan Ridley (1,263 in 2012, next best 773).
Receiving yards
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve SmithNew York Giants | 2009 | 1,220 | 574 |
| Josh GordonCleveland Browns | 2013 | 1,646 | 805 |
| Marcus RobinsonChicago Bears | 1999 | 1,389 | 732 |
| Sidney RiceMinnesota Vikings | 2009 | 1,312 | 748 |
| Drew BennettTennessee Titans | 2004 | 1,247 | 738 |
| Roy WilliamsDetroit Lions | 2006 | 1,310 | 836 |
| Brandon LloydDenver Broncos | 2010 | 1,448 | 966 |
| David BostonArizona Cardinals | 2001 | 1,598 | 1,072 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Josh Gordon (1,646 in 2013, next best 805), Brandon Lloyd (1,448 in 2010, next best 966), Sidney Rice (1,312 in 2009, next best 748), Marcus Robinson (1,389 in 1999, next best 732), Drew Bennett (1,247 in 2004, next best 738) and Roy Williams (1,310 in 2006, next best 836).
Hockey
The 1980-81 season produced two of hockey's great one-off years: Wayne Babych scored 54 goals for the Blues and Jacques Richard 52 for the Nordiques, and neither scored more than 27 in any other season. Bernie Nicholls scored 70 for the Kings in 1988-89, playing beside Wayne Gretzky; his next best was 46. Jonathan Cheechoo won the goal-scoring title with 56 in 2005-06 on Joe Thornton's wing, and never scored 40 again. The other cluster is 1929-30, when the NHL first allowed forward passes in the attacking zone and scoring doubled; Cooney Weiland, Hec Kilrea and Dit Clapper all had the seasons of their lives before the league changed the offside rule to slow things down.
Goals
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne BabychSt. Louis Blues | 1980-81 | 54 | 27 |
| Jacques RichardQuebec Nordiques | 1980-81 | 52 | 27 |
| Hec Kilrea | 1929-30 | 36 | 19 |
| Normie Himes | 1929-30 | 28 | 15 |
| Dit Clapper | 1929-30 | 41 | 22 |
| Joe Lamb | 1929-30 | 29 | 16 |
| Chuck LefleySt. Louis Blues | 1975-76 | 43 | 24 |
| Georges Mantha | 1937-38 | 23 | 13 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Bobby Carpenter (53 in 1984-85, next best 32), Bernie Nicholls (70 in 1988-89, next best 46), Brian Gionta (48 in 2005-06, next best 29), Ryan Kesler (41 in 2010-11, next best 26), Rick Kehoe (55 in 1980-81, next best 33) and Gary Leeman (51 in 1989-90, next best 32).
Points
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch Gainor | 1929-30 | 49 | 19 |
| Hec Kilrea | 1929-30 | 58 | 24 |
| Jacques RichardQuebec Nordiques | 1980-81 | 103 | 43 |
| Red Green | 1924-25 | 35 | 17 |
| Cooney Weiland | 1929-30 | 73 | 38 |
| Herb Cain | 1943-44 | 82 | 45 |
| Punch Broadbent | 1921-22 | 45 | 25 |
| Joe Lamb | 1929-30 | 49 | 28 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Brent Sutter (102 in 1984-85, next best 68), Bob MacMillan (108 in 1978-79, next best 71), Jacques Richard (103 in 1980-81, next best 43), Dutch Gainor (49 in 1929-30, next best 19), Hec Kilrea (58 in 1929-30, next best 24) and Red Green (35 in 1924-25, next best 17).
Soccer
Frank McAvennie scored 26 league goals for West Ham in 1985-86, his first season in the top flight, as they finished third, their best ever; he never scored more than 7 in any other season in our five leagues. Javi Moreno scored 22 for Alavés in 2000-01, the season they reached the UEFA Cup final, and Moussa Sow's 25 won Lille the French title in 2010-11. Philippe Gondet's 36 for Nantes in 1965-66 was the most of anyone here, 22 more than his next best.
League goals
| Player | Season | That season | Next best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank McAvennieWest Ham United | 1985-86 | 26 | 7 |
| Javi MorenoDeportivo Alavés | 2000-01 | 22 | 7 |
| Moussa SowLOSC Lille | 2010-11 | 25 | 9 |
| Robert HerbinAS Saint-Étienne | 1965-66 | 26 | 10 |
| Philippe GondetFC Nantes | 1965-66 | 36 | 14 |
| Dani GüizaRCD Mallorca | 2007-08 | 27 | 11 |
| Klaas-Jan HuntelaarFC Schalke 04 | 2011-12 | 29 | 12 |
| Clive AllenTottenham Hotspur | 1986-87 | 33 | 14 |
Better-known players whose best season was at least half again their next best: Andy Cole (34 in 1993-94, next best 21), Miroslav Klose (25 in 2005-06, next best 16), Louis Saha (20 in 2003-04, next best 13), Fernando Hierro (21 in 1991-92, next best 13), Alessandro Matri (20 in 2010-11, next best 13) and Clive Allen (33 in 1986-87, next best 14).
Use it in Exact Change and Career Arc
A one-year wonder is a trap in Career Arc: the spike is real, but the rest of the line sits far below it. In Exact Change, remember that a famous season can belong to a modest career. For when careers usually peak, see when do careers peak?, and for what MVPs did the next year, the MVP hangover.
How we counted
A season qualifies if it was one of the ten best in the league that year in the stat, by a player whose career ran at least six seasons and is over (no games in the last two seasons of our data, so active players aren’t judged before they’re done). Lists are ranked by how many times bigger the best season was than the next best. Baseball counts from 1920, the start of the live-ball era, and both major leagues together. Basketball is points per game in seasons of at least 40 games. Football starts in 1999, the first season of the weekly stats we use, and its yards, added up from play-by-play, can differ from the official totals by a few yards. Soccer is league goals in Europe’s top five leagues, from each player’s Transfermarkt record, so a big season in another league doesn’t count.
About the data
Season stats: Lahman’s baseball database through 2021 and the MLB Stats API since; the NBA’s official season totals through 1995-96 and box scores since; the NHL’s season reports; nflverse; and Transfermarkt. Spot a mistake? Let us know.