Verlander on Pace For Tiger Strikeout Career Mark
August 7, 2011
By: O. J. Cunningham
Strike Three -- You're OUT !
I'm old enough to have seen most of the Detroit Tiger pitchers that have more career strikeouts than Justin Verlander.
None of them compare to Verlander.
VERLANDER SPECIFICS:
Justin Brooks Verlander
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 5", Weight: 225 lb.
Born: February 20, 1983 in Manakin Sabot, VA (Age 28)
High School: Goochland (Goochland, VA)
College School: Old Dominion University
Verlander recently moved past McLain on the all-time "K" list when he struck out Mitch Maier to end the sixth inning against Kansas City. That was the eighth and final strikeout of the game for Verlander and the 1,151st of his career.
Next in line on the list above Verlander is Dizzy Trout, who stands eighth with 1,199 strikeouts. Mickey Lolich is the all-time leader in strikeouts for the Tigers with 2,679
FUN FACTS: It took Verlander just 170 starts to reach 1,000 strikeouts. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, three active pitchers reached that milestone in fewer starts: Kerry Wood (134 games), Jake Peavy (160) and Felix Hernandez (166).
Here are the top 15 pitchers (as of 8/7/2011) in Detroit Tigers history in strikeouts:
1. Mickey Lolich -- 2,679
2. Jack Morris -- 1,980
3. Hal Newhouser -- 1,770
4. Tommy Bridges -- 1,674
5. Jim Bunning -- 1,406
6. George Mullin -- 1,380
7. Hooks Dauss -- 1,201
8. Dizzy Trout -- 1,199
9. Justin Verlander -- 1,151
10. Denny McLain -- 1,150
11. Bill Donovan -- 1,079
12. Virgil Trucks -- 1,046
13. John Hiller -- 1,036
14. Frank Lary -- 1,031
15. Joe Coleman -- 1,000
If Verlander gets 30 starts per year for the next 8 seasons and averages just 7 strikeouts per start -- he'll add (30x7x8) 1,680 strikeouts to his total . . . And that's enough to pass Lolich.
In my mind, Sandy Koufax (Dodgers) is the best pitcher I have ever seen. You could argue for Nolan Ryan (5,714) or Bob Gibson and I would not take exception. But the names on the Tiger pitchers all-time strikeout list is pretty impressive.
Here's a link to
MLB PITCHER ALL TIME LEADER - STRIKEOUTS.
Hopefully, Verlander will get the opportunity to "show his stuff" on the big stage in a World Series for the Tigers before his career is over. Until then, he'll continue to climb the list until he overtakes Lolich.
But LEGENDS are made in post season and World Series competition. Willie Mays' Catch, The HR's of Reggie Jackson, etc . . .
Verlander deserves his day to shine in the spotlight. I hope he gets it.