New Washington Nationals’ Slugger and Recently-Retired Catcher Share Unique Baseball History

As the baseball world gears up for the 2024 season, Washington Nationals’ powerhouse Joey Gallo finds himself in rare and somewhat ominous company within the annals of baseball history.

According to Danny Vietti of CBS Sports, Gallo joins an exclusive club with only two members:

Joey Gallo

Mike Zunino

Let’s delve into the career of Mike Zunino, who recently bid farewell to the diamond after an illustrious 11-season journey. A former first-round draft pick, Zunino burst onto the scene with the Seattle Mariners in 2013, showcasing formidable power and launching over 20 home runs in three of his six seasons with the team. His pinnacle came in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he notched a career-high 33 homers and earned a coveted All-Star nod. However, Zunino’s legacy is marred by his lifetime batting average of .199, enduring six seasons below the Mendoza Line. His career .271 on-base percentage and propensity for strikeouts—exceeding 130 in a season five times—underscore this statistical dichotomy.

Turning to Joey Gallo, embarking on his tenth MLB season after stints with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins, he boasts a lifetime batting average of .197 alongside 198 home runs. Gallo’s apex came in 2017 with the Rangers when he unleashed a career-high 41 homers, showcasing his raw power. Yet, akin to Zunino, Gallo grapples with strikeouts, exceeding 195 in a season thrice, leading the league in strikeouts in 2021.

While both players epitomize the essence of power hitters, their struggles to maintain a consistent batting average underscore the enigmatic nature of their baseball journey. As Gallo marches into the upcoming season, he carries the weight of this unique statistical legacy, etching his name alongside Zunino in the annals of baseball history.