Accidental Home Runs on the Rise

Over the last 50 years, the amount of accidental home runs hit has been increasing at an alarming rate. In fact, if accidental home runs were to continue to increase at their current rate, there would be more accidental home runs than intentional home runs by the year 3,521.

Kenny Loften, who led the league last year with 7 accidental home runs, defended his penchant for the so-called "oops bop": "I never try to hit a home run," he said. "I just try to put a good swing on the ball."

While accidental home runs are down overall in spring training so far, a recently hit dramatic surprise slam has kept the topic in the news: Jacoby Ellsbury, after hitting a game-winning home run in the 10th inning of a spring training game, admitted his home run had been a complete shock: "Not what I intended to do at all," he said. "But hey, I'll take it."