Story perspectives

Hairston Smashes ASU Record with 28th Homer in Big 12 Quarterfinal

5/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Landon Hairston hit his 28th home run, breaking Arizona State’s single-season record in the Big 12 quarterfinal in Surprise, Arizona.
The homer accounted for roughly one-quarter of the Sun Devils’ total home runs this season.
Hairston finished with a .421 batting average, 28 homers and 79 RBIs, and received Big 12 Player of the Year honors.
Coach Willie Bloomquist praised Hairston’s composure and highlighted the Sun Devils’ 10-2 victory over Cincinnati.

History

Historical Context

Mark McGwire’s 1998 chase, culminating on September 8 when he hit his 62nd homer to break Roger Maris’s 61-home-run mark, revived MLB interest after the 1994 strike. He finished with 70 homers, a benchmark that still echoes in college baseball, as Arizona State’s 2024 quarterfinal featured a 28-home-run effort. The record stood until Barry Bonds eclipsed it in 2001.

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Story summary

Landon Hairston hit his 28th home run, breaking Arizona State’s single-season record in the Big 12 quarterfinal in Surprise, Arizona.
The homer accounted for roughly one-quarter of the Sun Devils’ total home runs this season.
Hairston finished with a .421 batting average, 28 homers and 79 RBIs, and received Big 12 Player of the Year honors.
Coach Willie Bloomquist praised Hairston’s composure and highlighted the Sun Devils’ 10-2 victory over Cincinnati.

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