Kyle Schwarber Becomes Indiana Baseball's All-Time MLB Home Run Leader

Photo byIDS file photo / The Indiana Daily Student

Former Indiana University baseball star Kyle Schwarber has etched his name into the record books once again. The Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter hit his 280th career home run against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night, breaking Ted Kluszewski’s long-standing record for the most Major League Baseball home runs by a former Hoosier.

Schwarber, who represented Indiana from 2012 to 2014, has continued to make waves in the MLB, even a decade after his last game in cream and crimson. His latest milestone cements his place as one of the most impactful baseball players to emerge from Indiana University.

During his collegiate career, Schwarber earned All-Big Ten first-team honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He left Indiana ranked eighth all-time in hits (238), sixth in slugging percentage (.607), and seventh in home runs (40) — an impressive list of achievements that hinted at his potential for professional greatness. In 2014, Schwarber was selected fourth overall in the MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, making him the highest-drafted player in Indiana's history.

Since making his MLB debut in 2015, Schwarber has showcased his power across several teams, including the Cubs, Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, and his current team, the Philadelphia Phillies. His 280th home run not only surpasses Kluszewski’s 63-year-old record, set in 1961, but also highlights Schwarber's sustained excellence as a power hitter.

Ted Kluszewski, whose record Schwarber broke, is another Indiana legend who played one season for the Hoosiers in 1945, achieving a remarkable .443 batting average. Kluszewski also contributed to Indiana’s 1945 football team, which won the Big Ten conference championship. His 15-year MLB career included 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, followed by stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Angels. A four-time MLB All-Star from 1953 to 1956, Kluszewski's legacy was honored when the Reds retired his No. 18 in 1998, a decade after his passing.

Schwarber’s achievement in breaking Kluszewski’s record marks a significant moment in Indiana baseball history, highlighting his enduring impact and contribution to the sport.