Making sense of Nolan Ryan's stats and a belated hello

[JollyElm]

I am absolutely baffled by the disdain for the strikeout. Simply put, by fanning someone, there is no 'damage' possible. A runner on third won't be able to score, runners won't advance (unless by stealing a base), etc. Putting a ball into play can lead to misplays, errors (yes, Mickey Owen, I get it), tagging up, a fielder's choice and so on. A strikeout eliminates that. Hell, if Mookie Wilson struck out, the Sox would've worn the crown in '86.

[ALR-bishop]

Welcome Moog, but it is depressing when someone shows themselves to be smarter than me right from the start.

[D. Bergin]

In the very small sample size of his career, it's amazing how similar J.R. Richard was to Nolan.

Big Righties, Lots of Walks, Lots of Strikeouts, Very few Hits or HR's. He was in the midst of his best season ever when the health issues, and then the strokes hit him.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

I am absolutely baffled by the disdain for the strikeout. Simply put, by fanning someone, there is no 'damage' possible. A runner on third won't be able to score, runners won't advance (unless by stealing a base), etc. Putting a ball into play can lead to misplays, errors (yes, Mickey Owen, I get it), tagging up, a fielder's choice and so on. A strikeout eliminates that. Hell, if Mookie Wilson struck out, the Sox would've worn the crown in '86.

I think "disdain" is quite an exaggeration though.

Saying that strikeout numbers are overrated (compared to getting outs in general) doesn't mean that the value of the strikeout isn't still appreciated.