Jacob deGrom Achieves Historic Milestone

Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom etched his name into MLB history by setting a new strikeout record against the Seattle Mariners. On Sunday, deGrom recorded his 1,800th career strikeout in the second inning, striking out Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford with a 98.7 mph fastball. This achievement made deGrom the fastest player to reach this milestone, accomplishing it in just 240 games and 1,493.1 innings pitched.

Surpassing Legendary Pitchers

DeGrom’s remarkable feat surpassed the previous record held by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who needed 243 games to achieve the same number of strikeouts. Additionally, Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale required 1,498 innings to reach this milestone, highlighting deGrom’s exceptional performance.

A Challenging Game Despite the Record

Despite making history, deGrom’s performance on Sunday was not without its challenges. He pitched five innings, recording five strikeouts and three walks while allowing four hits, three of which were home runs. This resulted in five earned runs during the Rangers’ 5-4 loss to the Mariners. It was an unusual outing for deGrom, who had not allowed three homers in a single game since facing the Braves in 2022.

Career Highlights and Challenges

DeGrom has been one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, winning consecutive Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. However, his career has also been marred by injuries. In 2021, he pitched only 15 games due to forearm tightness and elbow inflammation. A stress reaction in his scapula delayed his 2022 start until August, and he made just six starts in 2023 before undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second time.

Looking Ahead

DeGrom signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Rangers before the 2023 season. Despite Sunday’s setback, he continues to perform at a high level, meeting the expectations set by both himself and the Rangers’ fan base.