Toronto Blue Jays: 5 franchise records that will never be broken

Toronto Blue Jays: Fewest strikeouts in a single season – Bob Bailor – 21

When you think of iconic Blue Jays, Bob Bailor isn’t likely the first name that pops into your head. However, the native of Connellsville, Pa. is the proud owner of a 43-year-old team record that will likely never be broken.

In 1978, Bailor played in 154 games, made 676 plate appearances, and only struck out 21 times. In today’s era of upper cut swings and insane velocity, it feels unfathomable that Bailor’s mark will be touched anytime soon.

To give this number further context, Rowdy Tellez was the only Blue Jay who made 100 plate appearances or more to strike out less than 21 times in the shortened 2020 season.

In the last full season of play, Danny Jansen had the team low in strikeouts, with 79 over the course of 384 plate appearances.

Even if we ditch the Jays and look at stats from around the league, Bailor’s whiff rate of 3.1 per cent is still untouchable. The lowest strikeout percentage among regular players over the last ten years belongs to Juan Pierre, who struck out in 5.8 per cent of his plate appearances in 2011.

With how analytics have accepted strikeouts in exchange for power, Bailor’s extraordinary display of plate vision is likely etched in stone.