In baseball statistics, a putout (PO) is awarded to a defensive player who (generally while in secure possession of the ball) records an out by one of the following methods:

  • Tagging a runner with the ball when the runner is not touching a base (a tagout)
  • Catching a batted ball on the fly (a flyout)
  • Retrieving a batted ball hit along the ground which a defensive player subsequently throws to another defensive player who then catches it- the latter simultaneously occupying a base, or by subsequently touching a base while in possession of the ball- thus recording an out of a batter or runner, before the batter, or non-batting runner, can touch the base to which he is compelled to advance (a force out- referred to as a groundout if the player who has been put out is the batter-runner attempting to reach first base- or, if done after a flyout, a doubling off).
  • Catching a thrown ball and tagging a base to record an out on an appeal play
  • Catching a third strike (a strikeout)
  • Being positioned closest to a runner called out for interference

In a regulation nine-inning game, the winning team will always have a total of 27 putouts, as one putout is awarded for every defensive out made; this is one aspect of proving a box score.

While the abbreviation for putout is "PO",[1] baseball scorekeeping typically records the specific manner in which an out was achieved, without explicitly noting which player is awarded the putout for common plays. For example, a strikeout is recorded without noting the putout by the catcher, with additional detail only provided as needed. For example, "Fryman struck out (catcher to first)"[2] in a play-by-play summary in reference to an out recorded following an uncaught third strike, which indicates the putout was credited to the first baseman rather than the catcher.

All-time records

Content in this section has been updated through completion of the 2022 major-league season.

Career records

Main article: List of Major League Baseball career putouts leaders
  1. Jake Beckley: 23,767 (1888–1907)
  2. Cap Anson: 22,572 (1871–1897)
  3. Ed Konetchy: 21,378 (1907–1921)
  4. Eddie Murray: 21,265 (1977–1997)
  5. Charlie Grimm: 20,722 (1916–1936)
  6. Stuffy McInnis: 20,120 (1909–1927)
  7. Mickey Vernon: 19,819 (1939–1960)
  8. Jake Daubert: 19,634 (1910–1924)
  9. Lou Gehrig: 19,525 (1923–1939)
  10. Joe Kuhel: 19,386 (1930–1947)

Note: each of the above players was primarily a first baseman.
Note: entering the season, Joey Votto has the most putouts among active MLB players, with 14,440.
Source:[3]

Single season records

The most putouts recorded by any player in a single major-league season is 1,846 by Jiggs Donahue, a first baseman with the 1907 Chicago White Sox.[4]

Pitchers

Source:[5]

Catchers

Source:[6]

Note: as the majority of putouts by catchers occur on strikeouts, most single-season putout records for catchers have occurred in recent seasons (excepting the shortened season), consistent with the increase in total strikeouts per MLB season (for example; 42,104 in 2021 compared to 34,489 in 2011).[7]

First basemen

Source:[8]

Second basemen

Source:[9]

Third basemen

Source:[10]

Shortstops

Source:[11]

Left fielders

Source:[12]

Center fielders

Source:[13]

Right fielders

Source:[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Putout (PO)". MLB.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Boston Red Sox 4, Detroit Tigers 0". Retrosheet. September 18, 1996. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  3. ^ "Career Leaders & Records for Putouts". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as P". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as C". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "MLB League Totals for Strikeouts". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as 1B". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  9. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as 2B". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as 3B". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  11. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as SS". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as LF". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as CF". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Putouts as RF". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.