 Recognized as the first great slugger in baseball history , and among the greatest sluggers of his era , he held the record for career home runs from 1887 to 1889 , with his final total of 106 tying for the fourth most of the 19th century . His career slugging percentage of .519 remained the Major League record for a player with at least 4 @,@ 000 at bats until Ty Cobb edged ahead of him in 1922 . At the time of his initial retirement , he also ranked second in career triples ( 205 ) , and third in runs batted in ( 1 @,@ 296 ) and hits . 
