pmeares17
09-23-2002, 02:44 PM
HOUSTON (ESPN.com news services) -- Jose Hernandez is within one whiff of a most unpleasant major league record.
Hernandez, the Milwaukee Brewers' shortstop, has 188 strikeouts, one away from tying the all-time single-season record set by Bobby Bonds in 1970. The Brewers play the Astros tonight in the opener of a three-game series.
Hernandez actually was in the same dubious position last season, but former Milwaukee manager Davey Lopes sat him several games down the stretch. Hernandez struck out 185 times and has struck out at least 125 times in five of his 13 seasons in the big leagues.
Manager Jerry Royster saw to it last week that Hernandez wouldn't touch the record in Miller Park, sitting him all four games of a series against the San Francisco Giants in Milwaukee
Royster said his decision had everything to do with the way the home fans reacted last week as Hernandez approached the record against Houston. Fans cheered Hernandez's two strikeouts and booed the plate appearances when he walked or put the ball in play. Friday night, fans in the right-field stands in Miller Park assembled what looked like 188 "K" placards, which were removed at an usher's request.
"I don't want to subject him to what our fans did to him," Royster told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel last week. "I don't think he deserves any treatment like that. What he deserves, if he gets it, is the strikeout record. But people who try to humiliate him -- I don't get that."
Hernandez also blasted the fans' actions, saying he did not consider the record a big deal but was glad that it would not come at home.
"On the road, I don't care," he told the newspaper. "But not here. I don't understand (the fans' reaction)."
Milwaukee is entering the final week of the worst season in franchise history. The Brewers have lost 14 of their last 18 after being swept by the Giants.
Hernandez and the Brewers will face Dave Mlicki (4-10, 5.38 ERA) tonight. Mlicki has lost his last three decisions and four of five since returning from the disabled list July 26.
Hernandez, the Milwaukee Brewers' shortstop, has 188 strikeouts, one away from tying the all-time single-season record set by Bobby Bonds in 1970. The Brewers play the Astros tonight in the opener of a three-game series.
Hernandez actually was in the same dubious position last season, but former Milwaukee manager Davey Lopes sat him several games down the stretch. Hernandez struck out 185 times and has struck out at least 125 times in five of his 13 seasons in the big leagues.
Manager Jerry Royster saw to it last week that Hernandez wouldn't touch the record in Miller Park, sitting him all four games of a series against the San Francisco Giants in Milwaukee
Royster said his decision had everything to do with the way the home fans reacted last week as Hernandez approached the record against Houston. Fans cheered Hernandez's two strikeouts and booed the plate appearances when he walked or put the ball in play. Friday night, fans in the right-field stands in Miller Park assembled what looked like 188 "K" placards, which were removed at an usher's request.
"I don't want to subject him to what our fans did to him," Royster told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel last week. "I don't think he deserves any treatment like that. What he deserves, if he gets it, is the strikeout record. But people who try to humiliate him -- I don't get that."
Hernandez also blasted the fans' actions, saying he did not consider the record a big deal but was glad that it would not come at home.
"On the road, I don't care," he told the newspaper. "But not here. I don't understand (the fans' reaction)."
Milwaukee is entering the final week of the worst season in franchise history. The Brewers have lost 14 of their last 18 after being swept by the Giants.
Hernandez and the Brewers will face Dave Mlicki (4-10, 5.38 ERA) tonight. Mlicki has lost his last three decisions and four of five since returning from the disabled list July 26.