Colson Montgomery sets new MLB single-season strikeout record

Colson Montgomery has broken the MLB single-season strikeout record, striking out for the 224th time during a game against the Colorado Rockies. The Chicago White Sox shortstop achieved this feat on Friday night, surpassing the previous record held by Mark Reynolds for 17 years. Montgomery matched Reynolds' previous mark of 223 strikeouts on Thursday night in Kansas City.

The historic strikeout occurred during the fifth inning, with Montgomery facing Colorado right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano for the second out of the inning on a 3-2, 93-mph fastball. Montgomery, 24 years old, had previously tied the record on Thursday night with a called third strike from Royals reliever Anthony Gose. After the game, Montgomery celebrated with his teammates not for the record-breaking achievement, but because the White Sox had clinched their first playoff berth since 2021, marking the first time they reached the postseason following consecutive 100-loss seasons.

Despite the record, Montgomery still possesses 31 home runs and 87 RBI, along with a .202 batting average. Chicago manager Will Venable stated that Montgomery hasn't let the strikeouts affect his patience, and the team is supporting him. With three games remaining against Tampa Bay, Montgomery might not retain the record long as another Phillies slugger, Kyle Schwarber, enters the season with 218 strikeouts and three games left.