The strikeout is one of the key factors in determining the dominance of a major league baseball pitcher. The strikeout leaders in baseball are usually those who throw with the greatest velocity. It's not uncommon for dominant pitchers to record over 200 strikeouts in a season.
A strike out is recorded if a batter swings and misses on the third strike or the catcher catches a foul tip on the third strike or a batter does not swing at a pitch that the umpire rules a strike. The strikeout in baseball has become known as a "K".
Where did the "K" originate? The use of the "K" for a strikeout was invented by Henry Chadwick, a journalist who is also credited with creating the box score and the baseball scorecard. Legend has it that the letter "S" was used to represent a "sacrifice" so Chadwick decided to use the "K", based on the last letter of "struck".
Believe it or not "SO" is the official major league symbol for strike out but the "K" is still commonly used by baseball fans. In fact, you see baseball fans using small signs with the letter "K" posted on a railing to record each strike out of a pitcher. The backward "K" is now used to denote a strike out where the batter does not swing; termed Strike Out Looking.
Nolan Ryan holds the record for career strikeouts with 5,714. Randy Johnson, still active with the Arizona Diamondbacks, follows with 4,730 and still counting. Roger Clemens holds third place with 4,672.
Other Strike Out records (since 1900) include:
Most Strikeouts in a season 383 by Nolan Ryan in 1973 with the California Angels
Three active pitchers in the top 50 all time Ranked #2 Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks 4,730 Ranked #10 Greg Maddux, San Diego Padres 3,345 Ranked #14 Curt Shilling, Boston Red Sox 3,116
Top Strikeout Leader - Batters 1. Reggie Jackson, 2,597 2. Sammy Sosa, 2,306 3. Jim Thome, 2,144
Single Season Strikeout Leaders - Batters
1. Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies 2007 199 Ks 2. Adam Dunn Cincinnati Reds 2004 195 Ks 3. Adam Dunn Cincinnati Reds 2004 194 Ks
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