More strikeouts, more immaculate innings. It would surprise me only if the number if immaculate innings went down.

People don’t care about strikeouts like they used to. Albert Pujols strikes out relatively infrequently for a power hitter, but he still has not had one season where his strikeout total was less than the number of home runs hit. Contrast that with Joe Dimaggio, who in 13 seasons in the majors had 7 years of more homers than K’s. In two of Yogi Berra’s three MVP seasons, he accomplished that feat.

Bobby Bonds held the season strikeout record of 189 from 1970 until 2006. Since 2006 that number has been eclipsed 6 times. Mark Reynolds, the current record holder at 204 should shatter the mark he set last year – he’s projected to have 222. But he has 38 homers and is on a pace to hit 50. Ryan Howard should keep pace with his last two years when he struck out 199 times. He should also have 45 homers.

This is what people want. Remember, Chicks dig the long ball.

Ruthian homers. Ruthian strikeouts and more of ‘em.