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Babe Ruth was okay with strikeouts. That's why he hit so many home runs.
From 1914 - 1935 (Babe Ruth's entire career):
There were 2,018,665 plate appearances in MLB. 161,826 ended in a strikeout.
That's a strikeout rate of 8%.
Now let's see Babe Ruth.
He had 10606 plate appearances in that time. 1326 ended in a strikeout.
That's a 12.5% K rate.
There were 2,018,665 plate appearances in MLB. 161,826 ended in a strikeout.
That's a strikeout rate of 8%.
Now let's see Babe Ruth.
He had 10606 plate appearances in that time. 1326 ended in a strikeout.
That's a 12.5% K rate.
So, really, since the average MLB strikeout rate during Ruth's career was 8%, and he struck out 12.5% of the time...
He struck out 56.25% more than the average player.
Now let's do a comparison with a modern player.
He struck out 56.25% more than the average player.
Now let's do a comparison with a modern player.
From 2001 - 2014 (Adam Dunn's career):
There were 2,611,055 plate appearances. 466,761 ended in a strikeout.
That's a strikeout rate of 17.87%.
Now let's see Adam Dunn.
He had 8328 plate appearances. 2379 ended in a strikeout, for a K rate of 28.6%.
There were 2,611,055 plate appearances. 466,761 ended in a strikeout.
That's a strikeout rate of 17.87%.
Now let's see Adam Dunn.
He had 8328 plate appearances. 2379 ended in a strikeout, for a K rate of 28.6%.
Adam Dunn, then, struck out 60% more than the average player of his time.
Babe Ruth struck out 56% more than the average baseball player of his time.
That's pretty close, isn't it?
Babe Ruth was the original home run or K hitter.
Babe Ruth struck out 56% more than the average baseball player of his time.
That's pretty close, isn't it?
Babe Ruth was the original home run or K hitter.
Here's another interesting fact.
In 10616 total PAs, Ruth had 714 HRs, 2062 walks and 1330 Ks.
That's a Three True Outcome rate of 38.67%, miles ahead of any other hitter of his era (for reference, Adam Dunn's is 49.93% lmao).
In 10616 total PAs, Ruth had 714 HRs, 2062 walks and 1330 Ks.
That's a Three True Outcome rate of 38.67%, miles ahead of any other hitter of his era (for reference, Adam Dunn's is 49.93% lmao).
So, next time you complain about baseball and the rise of the three true outcomes, remember that Babe Ruth, a player universally beloved by traditionalist baseball fans, is the man who pioneered it.
Ion even know why I did this thread honestly. Hopefully it's interesting.
Ion even know why I did this thread honestly. Hopefully it's interesting.
