George Brett

Do I want someone to get more hits than me? No. Do I want someone to hit more home runs than me? No. Do I want someone to have more RBI than me? No. I get a kick out of seeing the all-time leaders and my name's on top of every one, with the exception of strikeouts. I get a kick out of that.

American Athlete

Roger Clemens

But I got a guy on third, I was in a jam the other day in a game, all those situations, when you need a strikeout there, in big spots. But we are very aware of that fact, that these guys put the ball in play.

Gerrit Cole

Strikeouts are something that just happen. You don't go for strikeouts, because your pitch count gets too high. When you do get that opportunity, you have to put them away with whatever is working that day.

Yu Darvish

There were a small number of voices that said, 'Darvish only cares about strikeouts.' Although I may have had strikeouts in my mind, fans, team, teammates and team staff were always my top priority.

Japanese Baseball Player

Max Scherzer

Strikeouts are important. Anytime you can generate an out without the ball being put in play, there's nothing that can be done in those situations.

Jacob deGrom

I think my job is to keep the ball down. I always say I try to go out there and get early contact, and strikeouts just seem to happen.

Clayton Kershaw

Yeah, strikeouts just kind of happen. It's not something I'm trying to do, I'm just trying to get outs as fast as possible.

Giancarlo Stanton

I hate it, but a popout is the same as a strikeout. It's a matter of productive at-bats, a matter of how you do it.

Alex Bregman

You can be on top of the world one day and the next day you can go 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

George Herman

I've never heard a crowd boo a homer, but I've heard plenty of boos after a strikeout.

American Journalist

Used exclusively in baseball to describe a batter's failure to hit the ball after three pitches.

Baseball Specific

Implies a disappointing performance by the batter and is seen as a negative outcome in baseball.

Negative Connotation

While negative for the batter, a 'strikeout' indicates a successful pitch from the pitcher's perspective.

Pitcher's Success

Refers to an incorrect answer in competitive trivia- or quiz-style games, often leading to elimination.

Game Shows

Implies a notable failure in a high-pressure situation, often when a correct response is expected.

Implications of Failure

Used informally to refer to being turned down in romantic situations, often with a humorous tone.

Dating Context

Carries an emotional weight of rejection or failure in social and dating scenarios.