An Infographic Timeline of 1,500-Strikeout Hitters

by Jacob Peterson on Feb 19, 2012 10:00 AM EST in Visuals Above Replacement

Babe Ruth was known as a high-strikeout hitter, and indeed, he led the majors in Ks 5 times, including in one season (1918) when he only batted 380 times. He retired as the all-time strikeout leader, with 1330. Yet today, the Bambino ranks just 99th all-time, right behind Dean Palmer.

Although no hitter passed 1,500 strikeouts until 1966, today 51 players have reached that milestone. To demonstrate the rise in strikeouts over time, I made a huge infographic that documents each 1,500-strikeout hitter. There are two previews below; click on either one to open up the full-size image.

The graphic itself should be fairly self-explanatory (I hope).

One interesting tidbit that I learned from making this is that the rise in high-strikeout hitters hasn't been consistent. There was a bit of a dropoff starting in the 80's and lasting until the mid-90's. Since then, though, hitters have been striking out like never before.

In case you're curious, several hitters look like good candidates to reach 1,500 strikeouts in 2012. Jason Giambi is just 20 Ks away, Ivan Rodriguez is 28 away, and Alfonso Soriano is 77 away.

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This is interesting

I wonder if this has anything to do with power hitters being associated with strikeouts since the 1960’s. My father talked about when he was little that if you struck out a lot, no matter how good you were, you were benched.

by dasox313 on Feb 19, 2012 2:19 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Mantle

Years ago, I remember Mantle reflecting on his career strikeouts and saying that was just over 3 years of at bats he just walked bat to the bench. But that was the price he payed for trying to hit a homerun with every swing.
and after the 1961 season Kaline saying he wasn’t striking out enough, which meant he should be trying to hit a few more homeruns. 1962 if not for the 60 games lost to a game ending catch and broken collarbone, that might have been a 40 hr season, much like a few other he missed the 30 mark with yearly injuries.
From that era on more players free swingers trying to hit it out, hence higher seasonal and career k rates.
It sure is a difference from the DiMaggio, Musial, and Teddy Ball game era and before when most players had much lower k rates and career totals. Some of it from better plate discipline, more from being rushed and not learning the strike zone the earlier era greats did.
Then again, whoever and how many different players said it, in reference to, homerun hitters drive Cadillacs, singles hitters drive Chevys.

by KalineCountry on Feb 19, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions