The issue might be worthy of a trivia question. But it’s hardly a trivial matter. The Cubs are on pace to become the first team since Boston in the Union League in 1884 to lead the majors in strikeouts–both on the mound and at the plate.
Their 1,255 pitcher strikeouts are even more than the 1,222 produced by the Curt Schilling-Randy Johnson Diamondbacks.
But what’s alarming is the 1,212 times they have whiffed. Only one other team, the Yankees, had crossed the 1,100 mark entering Friday.
The Cubs are loaded with high-risk, medium-reward players.
It’s one thing to have Sammy Sosa rank ninth in the league with 135 strikeouts. At least he has hit 48 homers.
But the strikeouts of Mark Bellhorn (141), Corey Patterson (138) and Alex Gonzalez (130) are staggering.
“You have to be able to put the ball in play in certain situations,” Cubs manager Bruce Kimm said. “If you’re striking out a lot, you’re not doing any situational hitting. It’s something you’d think players would work on.”
After making strides earlier in the season, Patterson’s growth has been stunted.
Since July 21 he has struck out 59 times in 218 at-bats. And walked once.
The obvious problem is pitch selection.
“He’s going through a spell now where he’s just not tracking the ball,” said third-base coach Dave Bialas, who managed Patterson in 2000 at Double-A West Tenn. “But he’s a tough kid and he’s intelligent. He’ll bounce back, no doubt.”
Prior eager to go
Mark Prior still stretches with the team and works out with teammates. He even throws in the bullpen.
“I’ve been doing everything I normally do,” Prior said, “except throw in the game.”
In other words, the fun part. He admits he’s a little bored.
“I’m enjoying traveling and still being here, but it [stinks] that all you can do is just sit there and cheer,” he said. “I want to support these guys but it [stinks] because I can’t help them win.”
Prior has been sidelined since Aug. 31, when he strained his left hamstring running to second base against St. Louis. He called the injury a “tweak” and added, “If we were in the race, I think I would have missed one start and come back.”
Prior appealed to pitching coach Larry Rothschild to let him make another start. But he knew there was no way the Cubs would take a chance with a prospective ace.
“I tried,” he said. “But they won’t let me go anymore. I have to be grateful that they’re looking out for my best interests and they’re looking out for their best interests too.”
Prior, 22, will return to USC in the off-season. He will take two of the five classes he needs to complete his business degree.
“Then I’ll bust my butt to get ready for next season,” he said. “Next year’s going to be a lot better. It’s tough to believe that this offense will be held down for two years in a row.”
