Batters strikeouts

[Sports Fan 07]

I notice that almost all Sabermetricians are totally in love with Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle - and rightfully so.

I also notice that some of the newer Sabermetricians seemed to be almost obsessed with batters strikeouts, which is amusing and interesting.

Top 5 in strikeouts after the 1935 season:

CAREER
1876-1935

STRIKEOUTS SO
1 Babe Ruth 1330
2 Jimmy Dykes 798
3 Rabbit Maranville 756
4 Cy Williams 721
5 Hack Wilson 713



Top 5 in strikeouts after the 1968 season:

CAREER
1876-1968

STRIKEOUTS SO
1 Mickey Mantle 1710
2 Eddie Mathews 1487
3 Babe Ruth 1330
4 Jimmie Foxx 1311
5 Duke Snider 1237


Possibly somebody is going to post something like, “Imagine how great they would have been if they wouldn’t have struck out so much.” This would be to miss the point entirely. If you go back and read about Ruth and Mantle, and also read their own words, one of the big reasons they were such great hitters, and also one of the big reasons they both got so many walks is that they never compromised their at bats. They didn’t go outside the strike zone to hit and they never changed their swing. Just something to think about. Peace. :)

[Williamsburg2599]

Who have you seen that's obsessed with strike outs? Sports writers complaining about Adam Dunn, yes, but I haven't seen it in people who usually know what they're talking about stat-wise.

[sopclod]

I would say you're looking at batters that swing hard every time they get something they like. It's the classic sabermetric approach: wait for your pitch, and when you get it, swing for the fences. If you don't, don't swing. The result: lots of walks, lots of strikeouts, and lots of home runs.