Fansided

MLB: Strikeouts at record pace for 9th straight year

By Phil Watson

Among hitters qualified for the batting title, no one strikes out more frequently this year than Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox, once every 2.6 at-bats. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Among hitters qualified for the batting title, no one strikes out more frequently this year than Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox, once every 2.6 at-bats. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 22, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Home plate umpire Vic Carapazza (85) calls strike three on Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome (not pictured) in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Home plate umpire Vic Carapazza (85) calls strike three on Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome (not pictured) in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Epilogue

Strikeouts are apparently officially OK, even as Adam Dunn gets into striking distance of Reggie Jackson’s all-time record of 2,597 whiffs that has stood since Jackson retired in 1987. Of course, Jackson has owned the record since 1982, when he passed Willie Stargell on the all-time list.

Dunn leads active players with 2,303 through Sunday’s games.

Here is the all-time top 10 in whiffs through

Of the top 10 players on the all-time list, a whopping seven of them played in the 21st century.

  • 2,597—Reggie Jackson (1967-87)
  • 2,548—Jim Thome (1991-2012)
  • 2,306—Sammy Sosa (1989-2005, 2007)
  • 2,303—Adam Dunn (2001-14)
  • 2,075—Alex Rodriguez (1994-2013)
  • 2,003—Andres Gallaraga (1985-98, 2000-04)
  • 1,942—Jose Canseco (1985-2001)
  • 1,936—Willie Stargell (1962-82)
  • 1,901—Mike Cameron (1995-2011)
  • 1,883—Mike Schmidt (1972-89)

Once upon a time, it was a matter of honor for a player to avoid striking out at just about any cost.

As evidenced by the numbers, those days are gone. Somewhere Bill “Swish” Nicholson is wondering if he can get a do-over on that nickname, since he’d be considered a contact hitter today.

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