To steal a line that Reggie Jackson was used to describe another great baseball star: "Blind people would go to the stadium just to listen to him hit."
1. Home run hitters make more money so hitters look to hit more homers. And fans like seeing more homers.
2. To hit more homer’s hitters look for their pitch and employ the latest fads such as staying low and back trying to create better launch angles and lifting their leading leg as a timing trigger.
3. Pitchers (as opposed to throwers) counter with location, speed and movement hoping to get the hitter out on their pitch and not make a mistake by being predictable or catching too much of the plate.
4. But perhaps the biggest impact on strikeouts is the increasing use of relief pitchers whom a hitter may see but once in the game that has different pitches, arm angle and release points and more than likely throws the same way they hit which is to their disadvantage.
5. Personally, I’d rather see a 12-11 game than a 17 strikeout game, although I appreciate displays of personal excellence as well.
To steal a line that Reggie Jackson was used to describe another great baseball star: "Blind people would go to the stadium just to listen to him hit."
The “Big Cat” Johnny Mize hit with power (led league in home runs 4 times and slugging average 4 times) and had a lifetime BA of .312 (led league in 1939 with .349). His lifetime OBP - .397!
In 1947 Mize became the first player in MLB history to hit 50+ HRs & strike out less than 50 times in the same year. He was also the first player to have 4 three home run games.
As Mize neared retirement, the New York sportswriter Dan Parker penned a fitting ode in tribute to the big first baseman: “Your arm is gone, your legs likewise. But not your eyes, Mize, not your eyes.”