That torch has now been passed, but unfortunately it's not to another pitcher. David Wright is the strikeout king. The possessor of the golden sombrero. The sultan of swinging and missing. He is Dr. K.
In the 9th inning of last night's painful loss to the Atlanta Braves, Wright was up with Luis Castillo at third and only one out. A simple fly ball to center or slow roller in the infield would have scored the go ahead run. Wright had already struck out twice during the game. Many would think he would be due to break out of his strikeout streak, but no statistics will show you that when mired in a slump the numbers favor you staying there as opposed to getting out of it. Numbers don't lie and David Wright doesn't make contact with off speed pitches down and away.
Wright was fanned and Ike Davis did as well so the Mets squandered a chance to pull ahead and actually win a series on the road.
To make matters worse, Wright botched an easy ground ball and throw in the bottom of the ninth that allowed the Braves to win. When it rains, it pours.
Something has happened to David Wright over the last year and a half. I don't have the answer. I'm not sure anyone does, but Wright is falling fast from the once perennial MVP candidate status he once had.
If he doesn't solve his problems quickly, Dr K will tally close to 225 strikeouts by the time September comes. And the Mets will find themselves buried in the standings basement come June.
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