Putting Some Respect on Mark Reynolds' Unprecedented and Weird MLB Career
By Nick Porr
There have been plenty of strange MLB stats circulating the internet in these baseball-less times, but none more so than these.
This week, infielder Mark Reynolds announced his retirement from the bigs after 13 seasons in the league. The journeyman infielder finished his career with a pedestrian WAR (wins above replacement) of 6.8, but it's how he got there that is so unique.
13-year MLB veteran Mark Reynolds has announced his retirement, per @MadDogRadio.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) April 9, 2020
Reynolds led the league in strikeouts in four straight seasons:
2008: 204 SO (539 AB)
2009: 223 SO (578 AB)
2010: 211 SO (499 AB)
2011: 196 SO (534 AB)
He struck out every 2.6 ABs for four years. pic.twitter.com/fKgRPg7HN3
Strikeouts have been on the rise in baseball of late, and no one knew that trend better than Reynolds. In just 13 seasons, Reynolds managed to reach 10th on the all time strikeout list with 1,927. The only player with less years played in the top 20 is Chris Davis who sits at No. 18.
Reynolds was a king of strikeouts. He was a power hitter as well, and the two tendencies combined put him in elite company.
Mark Reynolds is one of the three players to achieve the Full Nelson™, which is having more HR and Ks in a season than Nellie Fox had in his career. pic.twitter.com/uuwf9bkJho
— Aidan Jackson-Evans (@ajacksonevans) April 9, 2020
In 2009, Reynolds struck out 223 times while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. That's nearly as many strikeouts as the number totaled by 2009 NL Cy Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum (261).
When one man strikes out almost as many times as the league's best pitcher strikes out batters, you know he's special. Mark Reynolds, you will be missed.