Striking Out

I've tried to be more aggressive early in the count and eliminate strikeouts, but that didn't go too well, either. I guess you are who you are.

This quote came from a former Cincinnati Red, Adam Dunn, on his outcome with strikeouts after changing his personal viewpoint on the issue. When I read the article on ESPN today, and I looked over the personal quote that he attached into the story I couldn't help but stop to laugh. After all, Dunn is one of the best (or worst) batters in Major League Baseball at the moment. He's a guarenteed homerun, single/double, or a strikeout when he walks up to the plate. More often than not though the probable outcome, and most likely scenario in which will take place is the latter of the three. His strikeout totals simply are always towards the top of the NL list (not necessarily a list you want to be on).

So the question becomes, "Is this something Dunn, and many other professional baseball players can change?"

While reading the article I read the number of strikeouts on average throughout the decades. I became startled by the numbers. From 1910-1950, baseball teams would average anywhere from 1-3 strikeouts per game. Nowadays, players are lucky to get out of a game without striking out at least once. I believe looking at the statistics on paper tells the entire story. At one point in time, players were swinging, and not striking out. But due to some cause, players began striking out at a more constant rate from 1960 to the present day. What brought about this cause?

Honestly, one of the only underlying factors that I can think of would be the technology and innovations that have come about due to ease of access in the latter half of the 20th century. In the early part of the century, many were unable to travel, or have access to a gym. Many were unable to practice the game they so loved. Yet many products and inventions came out throughout the century, allowing more players to reach higher levels.

If it were up to me to determine why batters strikeout as much as they do, it would be because of the above paragraph. Isn't it funny how things that change our lives (for better or worse) come back around with an opposite effect? Sure, it's great that players are receiving better treatment for surgeries to keep them in the game. Sure, it's great that players can travel with much greater ease.

The stadiums. The hype. Playing under the lights. In front of a sold out crowd. The players of this generation are blinded. They can't see the light. Somewhere along their career they lost track of the fun that baseball brings. They lost track of the things in life that mattered: the simple things. You see, we live in a world today where players can play a game for a large sum of money. They're expected to do great things, but sometimes underacheive. They underacheive because they're blinded by so many expectations, the media, the money, greed, sex, drugs, steroids, violence-this list could go on forever.

The truth of the matter is that strikeouts will happen, no matter what. We'll never again see the low strikeout numbers from the early 20th century due to advancements in technology; and it really is a shame too. Yet there are things that can be done if players would look back to the past.

Players, like Dunn, can surround themselves in the game of baseball to a much more effective extent. The only way to get better, or to do something different is to practice your mistakes. Practice what you're weaknesses are. You strike out a lot?--- Learn from your mistake to not let it happen again. Analyzing each and every at bat will help players like Dunn so that they can understand what to expect.

Lastly, I want to take a look at the last comment Dunn made: "I guess you are who you are."

Players like Dunn are using this status quo cliche as an excuse to the media for their shortcomings. Excuses like this might be invisible to the average person, but as a player I see it bright and clear. The truth of the matter is that you aren't just who you are. Who you are is changing everyday. You are what you want to be. If you want to be someone who can expect to strikeout, then congratulations. Your mindset is already focused on failure. If you are someone who visualizes contact, and makes the most out of each at bat then you've already fought half the battle of success and failure.

Aside from baseball, this status quo cliche can be applied to your life. You need to realize that you're not just who you are. You are so much more than what anyone might say, or tell you. You are so much more than you realize because you're always changing-for the better or worse. If you've got a dream go out and catch it. If you want to go somewhere, do it. Be who you want to be.

And never, ever, ever let anyone take the joy from your heart that comes like a kid learning, and loving the game of baseball. That's when you'll find success.

63 Games Tell the Story

The Cincinnati Reds (32-31) once again find themselves in that all too familiar situation that has haunted them in years past. A strong start to the first one-third of the season gradually gave way to four losses in a row: one to MLB's worst franchise record (Nationals), and being swept by the Kansas City Royals on their away stand.

Still yet, even as the Reds have somewhat faded in the early season, it's easy to see that the NL Central is wide open, and up for grabs. After all, 60 games into the season and still only 5.5 games separate the first place franchise from last.

So what does this mean for the 3rd place Reds?

Looking at the facts, the Reds have a 2nd best record of 20-16 in the NL Central, yet you'd have to go all the way back to Wednesday, June 3rd, against the St. Louis Cardinals, to find the last time they scored over 5 runs in one game. Since that date, the Reds are 3-7 with Masset and Cueto picking up the wins.

On another note, the Reds were once again at the .500 mark; a mark they haven't dipped below since April 12th when their record stood at 2-3. However, the franchise has also been six games above the .500 mark twice this season.

So what can we look for throughout the rest of the season?

Someone who can hit, someone who can score runs- This offense is extremely young, and very vulnerable to the hitting slumps that many major leaguers see on a consistent basis. A solid outfielder is always helpful, but after watching the first part of the season anyone could tell you that a more solidified pick would be a 3rd basemen.

Trade Deadline?- It's obvious that a .500 record isn't going to give anyone a playoff berth. What the Reds need is a proven winner on and off the field. A younger version of Sean Casey, if you will. My pick is the Cleveland Indians third basemen, Mark Derosa. Derosa is hitting .279, with 13 homers, and 48 RBI's. With these statistics already in hand, Derosa would be at the tops of many stat categories just by walking onto the team.

Who to deal?- While Derosa's hot, the Cincinnati Reds might have someone who's a bit hotter: Outfielder Jonny Gomes is hitting .317 ( 13/41). Gomes' stock currently is on the up which might surprise many fans due to his activity on the free agency this past off-season. Conclusion: Acquire Derosa for Gomes, and a minor league third basemen.

The Reds are 18-7 when scoring five or more runs in a game. For once, this franchise can finally say that the pitching is where it needs to be. If the Reds acquire one or two more decent hitters to ignite this ball club there's no telling how late in October they might play until.