Can you imagine what might have happened if Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, Yankees legend Roger Maris or even confirmed PED user Barry Bonds had 20 fewer games in which to pursue their single-season home run records?

First and foremost, there would be no asterisk next to Maris’ name because he would not have topped Ruth’s then record 60 home runs, this because of the fact that Maris hit his record-tying 60th home run in game number 159 of the Yankees’ 1961 season and his record-breaking 61st home run in game number 163 during a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox to determine the American League’s pennant winner.

When Ruth hit his record-setting 60th home run, it was in game number 154 of the Yankees famed 1927 season when teams played only 154 games per season as opposed to the 162 games that teams now play – hence the asterisk next to Maris’s name. (Note: The American League went to a 162-game schedule in [wait for it…] 1961 and the National League in 1962).

The point here is that Maris (and later Bonds) had more games in which to achieve their respective records than did the Bambino. But here again, would even the great Babe Ruth have made it to 60 home runs in 1927 if he played in 20 fewer games? The answer is a resounding no.

Six of Ruth’s eventual 60 home runs in 1927 while a member of what is still considered to be the greatest team in MLB history came within his first 20 games that season. Three of Maris’ 61 home runs in 1961 were during his first 20 games, and it was nine for Bonds in 2001.

Although a far cry from 60 or 61, Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger slugged his 39th home run of the 2017 season in front of a sold out Dodger Stadium crowd of 51,159 on Friday to set a new National League rookie home run record previously co-held by Boston Braves outfielder Wally Berger set in 1930 and Hall of Fame Cincinnati Redlegs outfielder Frank Robinson in 1956, who both slugged 38 home runs during their rookie campaigns. The American League (and MLB) rookie home run record is 49, set by Oakland A’s slugger Mark McGwire in 1987.

As every Dodger fan knows, Bellinger was not called up to the big leagues until April 25 – a full 20 games into the 2017 season. Yet on Friday night and even after spotting the league a full 20 games, the 22-year-old Scottsdale, Arizona native and Dodgers 2013 fourth-round draft pick absolutely crushed an 89-mph slider off of San Francisco Giants right-hander Jeff Samardzija that landed 403 feet into the Right Field Pavilion at Dodger Stadium that would not only prove to be the game-winner but also give the Dodgers their fifth consecutive National League West title.

Even after spotting the league 20 games before his April 25 call-up, Bellinger set a new National League rookie home run record with his 39th round-tripper on Friday night to give the Dodgers a 4-2 win over the hated Giants and their fifth consecutive NL West title. Belly has five days remaining in the 2017 regular season to improve upon his new and historic record. (Photo credit: Ron Cervenka – Click on image to view video)

With the division now clinched, it is certainly possible that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will rest some of his regulars, perhaps even Bellinger. That being said, the (current) 98-56 Dodgers still need to finish the regular season with a better overall record than the (current) 96-58 Cleveland Indians to assure themselves home field advantage through the World Series.

…if they make it there, that is.