Strikeout

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn strikes out swinging to Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (not pictured). Smoltz recorded 10 strikeouts in this start, three by Dunn.

In baseball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by K) occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and incompetence on the part of the batter, although for power hitters it is recognized that the style of swing that generates home runs also leaves the batter somewhat susceptible to striking out.

Rules

A pitcher receives credit for (and a batter is charged with) a strikeout on any third strike, but a batter is out only if either of the following is true:

1. the third strike is pitched and caught in flight by the catcher (including foul tips);
2. on any third strike, if a baserunner is on first and there are fewer than two outs;

If the third strike is not caught and there are two outs, or fewer than two outs and no baserunner on first, the batter becomes a runner. Thus, it is possible for a batter to strike out, but still reach base safely if the catcher fails or is unable to catch the third strike cleanly and cannot tag out the batter or force him out at first base (in Japan this is called furinige（振り逃げ）, i.e. swing and escape). As a result, pitchers have occasionally been able to record four strikeouts in one half-inning.

In scoring, a swinging strikeout is recorded as a K, or a K-S. Some scorers record strikeouts where the batter didn't swing at the last pitch with a backwards-facing K, also recorded as K-C. The use of "K" for a strikeout was invented by Henry Chadwick, a newspaper journalist. The letter "S" was used to coin "sacrifice" so Mr. Chadwick decided to use "K", with "K" being the last letter in "struck." Mr. Chadwick also invented many other baseball scoring abbreviations, such as using numbers to designate player positions. Although some people use SO, that is typically used to denote a shutout.

History

The strikeout is as old as baseball itself. Alexander Cartwright's Knickerbocker Rules, drawn up in 1845 and considered the foundation of the modern game, define the strikeout as follows:

Three balls being struck at and missed and the last one caught, is a hand-out; if not caught is considered fair, and the striker bound to run. (Rule #11)

This is essentially the same rule in use today, with the addition of the called strike (1858) and the provision that the batter is automatically out if there are less than two out and a runner on first. In 1880, the rules were changed to specify that a third strike had to be caught on the fly. In 1887, the number of strikes for an out was changed to four, but promptly changed back to three the next season. A foul bunt was classified as a strike in 1894, and a foul tip in 1895.

Jargon and slang

A swinging strikeout is often called a whiff and a batter who is struck out by a fastball is often said to have been blown away. A batter who strikes out on a swung third strike is said to have been fanned. When a batter takes a called third strike it is called a punchout, or said that the batter was caught looking. A pitcher is said to "strike out the side" when he retires all three batters in a half inning by striking them out, not necessarily in a row.

In slang, when a batter strikes out three times in a game, he is said to have completed a "hat trick". If he strikes out four times, it is a "golden sombrero" or a "silver sombrero". He receives the "Olympic rings" for striking out five times and the "horn" for striking out six times in a game - a rare occurrence, which in the history of major league play has only been accomplished in extra innings games.

Some pitchers who specialize in strikeouts have acquired nicknames including the letter "K". Dwight Gooden was known as "Doctor K". Francisco Rodriguez is known as "K-Rod".

Four Strikeouts in an Inning

If a third stike is not caught by the catcher (and is not tipped), it is a strikeout, and the at-bat is over. If a runner is at first, and there are less than two outs, the batter is out, as with the infield fly rule. With first open or two outs, the batter is not out, and must run. The batter may be tagged out, or forced out, or with two out another runner may be forced. If the runner reaches first base safely, there is no out, but the pitcher is still credited with a strikeout.

It is thus possible for a pitcher to throw four strikeouts in an innning. The first major leaguer to be credited with the feat was Ed Crane of the New York Giants on October 4, 1888. The feat was once rare, occurring only five times before 1956, but is now so common that it happened six times in 1999. Chuck Finley did it on May 12 and August 15, 1999 with the Anaheim Angels, and then for a third time on April 16, 2000 with the Cleveland Indians. Finley is the only player to pitch four strikeouts in an inning more than once. [1]

Strikeout records

Season and career strikeout totals for pitchers are followed closely by fans. The top 5 Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders (active players in bold):

• (since 1901)

1. Nolan Ryan - 5714
2. Roger Clemens - 4604
3. Randy Johnson - 4506 (through 8/20/06)
4. Steve Carlton - 4136
5. Bert Blyleven - 3701

The top 5 Major League Baseball single-season strikeout leaders (since 1900):

1. Nolan Ryan, 1973 - 383
2. Sandy Koufax, 1965 - 382
3. Randy Johnson, 2001 - 372
4. Nolan Ryan, 1974 - 367
5. Randy Johnson, 1999 - 364

The top 5 Major League Baseball career strikeout-per-nine innings leaders (since 1900):

1. Randy Johnson - 10.85
2. Kerry Wood - 10.36
3. Pedro Martinez - 10.23
4. Nolan Ryan - 9.55
5. Sandy Koufax - 9.28

The top 5 Major League Baseball single season strikeout-per-nine innings leaders (since 1900):

1. Randy Johnson, 2001 - 13.41
2. Pedro Martinez, 1999 - 13.21
3. Kerry Wood, 1998 - 12.58
4. Randy Johnson, 2000 - 12.56
5. Randy Johnson, 1995 - 12.35

Active players in top 50 all-time:

2. Roger Clemens - 4604

3. Randy Johnson - 4503

13. Greg Maddux - 3114

14. Curt Schilling - 3003

15. Pedro Martinez - 2986

20. John Smoltz - 2677

28. Mike Mussina - 2508

31. Tom Glavine - 2466

Well-known strikeout calls by broadcasters

Swinging third strikes

"A swinggggggg and a miss he struck him out!" -Jon Miller

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeee struck him out!"- Don Orsillo

"Got 'em." -Duane Kuiper

Called third strikes

"He stood there like a house by the side of the road" -Ernie Harwell

"He was called out for excessive window-shopping!" -Ernie Harwell

"Got 'em." -Duane Kuiper

"Grab some pine, meat!" - Mike Krukow

"He gone!" -Ken Harrelson

See also

• List of pitchers who have struck out 18 or more batters in a nine-inning baseball game

External links

• Four Strikeouts in 1 Inning