White Sox SS Colson Montgomery breaks MLB's single-season strikeout record with 224th strikeout

In a thrilling finish to the regular season, Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery has etched his name into baseball history by shattering the MLB single-season strikeout record with his 224th strikeout. The milestone was reached during the White Sox's game against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, as Montgomery struck out looking in the fifth inning.

This accomplishment surpasses the previous record of 223 strikeouts, previously held by former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Mark Reynolds since 2009. Montgomery had previously tied the record on Thursday during the White Sox's victory over the Kansas City Royals, which also secured Chicago's first playoff berth in five years.

The threat of Montgomery breaking Reynolds' record was palpable throughout the season, fueled by a surge of high-strikeout hitters. Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber leads with 218 strikeouts, just five shy of the record, while Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto is at 211. However, Montgomery's exceptional performance has outpaced his competition, with seven games in September alone featuring at least three strikeouts and six games with four strikeouts this season.

Montgomery's hitting statistics, while not extraordinary, remain commendable. Although his batting average (.202) and on-base percentage (.288) are below average, his slugging percentage (.418) and OPS (.701) are near the league average. He has hit 31 home runs, recorded 112 hits, and contributed 87 RBI throughout the season. Mark Reynolds, who previously held the record, has since come to terms with his legacy, viewing it as a "badge of honor" rather than an embarrassment.

He jokingly suggested that he might have to cede the strikeout record to whoever breaks it on SportsCenter. Now that Montgomery has officially surpassed Reynolds, it remains to be seen whether a ceremonial handoff between the two players will occur.