I realize that Mark Reynolds had 199 strikeouts up to this point in the season to practice, but the credit for him breaking the record (and adding to the record) really ought to go to me and my friends.

A friend had six tickets for the seventh row behind the visitor's batting circle and I was blessed to be one of the five invited to go along with him.  We were there two hours early to fill our bellies with Cardinals Club fare and beer so by the time the second inning came around we were very much ready to get involved in the game in a significant way.  That is when Mark Reynolds came to the plate.  We quickly recognized the historic magnitude of the situation and did our very best to "help him along" in his momentous quest.  We did our job well.  I'm sure that Mark, if he wasn't the professional that he is, would have thanked us profusely right then and there for the "encouragement" we gave him during that anxious at bat and in the batting circle before hand.  It takes a tremendous amount of focus, self-discipline, and shear guts to strike out 200 times in a season.  But let us not forget that it also takes the support of the fans - support that also takes focus, self-discipline, and shear guts.  I know that he would have had another series to ascend to that exclusive 200 strikeout club but you never know when a slump will start.  And with the season quickly wrapping up the pressure must have been unbearable.  I'm glad we could be there for him and be the wind beneath his wings.  I am not one that usually toots my own horn, but I believe an asterisk next to his name mentioning the integral part I played in his historic achievement wouldn't be too much to ask.