Strikeout Kings: The Best Pitchers In MLB History

From Roy "Doc" Halliday to Jay "Dizzy" Dean, some Major League Baseball pitchers surpass all others. With lightening-fast throws and stellar precision, there is a reason these men made it to the big leagues.

Step up to bat and learn more about the best pitchers in baseball history.

Tom Seaver

MLB Photos Archive
Louis Requena/MLB via Getty Images
Louis Requena/MLB via Getty Images

For 20 seasons, Tom Seaver was dominating the pitcher's mound. Seaver earned the Cy Young Award three times during his career, was the NL ERA leader three times, and was the NL strikeout leader a solid five times.

He even pitched a no-hitter back in 1978. Seaver is lucky enough to be thrice inducted into the hall of fame: the Baseball Hall of Fame, the New York Mets Hall of Fame, and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Christy Mathewson

ADVERTISEMENT
Christy Mathewson, Major League Baseball Player, New York Giants, Harris & Ewing, 1912
GHI/Universal History Archive via Getty Images
GHI/Universal History Archive via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Christy Mathewson is one of the best pitchers in baseball history, holding a top-ten slot in multiple pitching categories, including strikeouts (2,502), wins (373), and ERA (2.13). The two-time World Series champion even pitched two no-hitters during his 17-season career with the New York Giants.

ADVERTISEMENT

A five-time NL strikeout leader and five-time NL ERA leader, Mathewson retired from baseball with a solid 79 career shutouts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rube Waddell

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Rube Waddell Los Angeles
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

A southpaw pitcher, Rube Waddell, proved to be a force on the mound. He was known for his erratic behavior and tendency to strike out everyone who came up to bat, leaving the game with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3-to-1.

ADVERTISEMENT

Waddell graced the pitchers' mound for a solid 13-year career from 1897 until 1910. In 1946, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Smokey Joe Wood

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Smokey Joe Wood 1921
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Image
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Image
ADVERTISEMENT

Smokey Joe Wood was in the MLB for 14 years, a majority of which he played for the Boston Red Sox. While pitching for the Sox, he led the team to three World Series victories.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 1911, Wood pitched a no-hitter, solidifying his place in the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cy Young

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Cy Young
Photo File/Getty Images
Photo File/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

During his early days, Cy Young had one of the fastest pitches in the MLB, leading him to 2,803 career strikeouts. He was even lucky enough to pitch both a perfect game and a no-hitter during his career.

ADVERTISEMENT

To honor one of the greatest pitchers in the game, the Cy Young Award is an annual award given to the best pitcher in each league.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tom Glavine

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Atlanta Braves v Pittsburgh Pirates
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

As one of 24 pitchers to have 300 career wins, Tom Glavine has secured his spot as one of the greatest in history. During his career, Glavine played for both the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets and became a ten-time All-Star and World Series champion.

ADVERTISEMENT

In the 1990s alone, he earned the second-highest number of wins, at 164, of any pitcher in the MLB.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ed Walsh

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Portrait Of Ed Walsh
Paul Thompson/PhotoQuest/Getty Images
Paul Thompson/PhotoQuest/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

For several seasons, Big Ed Walsh was widely considered the best pitcher in the game. He is the last modern pitcher to have won 40 games or more in a single season and the last of any team to throw more than 400 innings in a season.

ADVERTISEMENT

As of 2021, Walsh holds the record for lowest ERA, at a staggeringly low 1.82.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jay "Dizzy" Dean

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
Diamond Images/Getty Images
Diamond Images/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The last National League pitcher to win 30 games in a season, batters were scared to go up to the plate when Jay "Dizzy" Dean took to the mound. With a solid 134 victories during his career, "Ol' Diz" left the league with a 2.99 ERA.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 1953, Dean was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and in 2014 he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals team Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mordecai Brown

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Mordecai Brown Pitching Baseball
Bettmann/Getty Images
Bettmann/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In his youth, an accident had Mordecai Brown lose parts of two of his fingers on his right hand. He did not let the handicap slow him down, though. Instead, he used it to his advantage, learning how to grip a ball in such a way that batters did not stand a chance.

ADVERTISEMENT

The quirky throw resulted in such a powerful curveball that Brown became known as one of the best pitchers of his time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nolan Ryan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Sports Contributor Archive 2019
Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Considering Nolan Ryan holds the MLB for most career strikeouts with a whopping 5,714, it is safe to say he is one of the best pitchers in the game's history.

ADVERTISEMENT

Over a 27-year career, Ryan consistently clocked in over-100 miles-per-hour pitches, was a two-time ERA leader, and, not so surprisingly, an 11-time strikeout leader.

ADVERTISEMENT

Don Drysdale

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Don Drysdale Holds Up Baseball
Bettmann/Getty Images
Bettmann/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

One of the most dominate pitchers throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Don Drysdale played his entire MLB career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. His unique ability to throw the ball as close to the batter as possible without hitting them made him a force on the mound.

ADVERTISEMENT

During his time, Drysdale went on to become a three-time World Series champion.

ADVERTISEMENT

Juan Marichal

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo File
Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In the 1960s, Juan Marichal was the leading pitcher in the league for wins, playing for the San Francisco Giants at the time. Known for his outrageously high leg kick and a wide variety of pitches, Marichal's pinpoint accuracy was something to behold.

ADVERTISEMENT

Over his long career, the "The Dominican Dandy" struck out over 2,300 batters.

ADVERTISEMENT

Carl Hubbell

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A Giant In Uniform
New York Times Co./Getty Images
New York Times Co./Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Playing for the New York Giants during his career, Carl Hubbell became a two-time MVP for a reason. Not only did he win 24 straight games between 1936 and 1937, but he was also a World Series champion, a nine-time All-Star, and a three-time MLB ERA leader.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hubbell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.

ADVERTISEMENT

Roger Clemens

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Boston Red Sox
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When a pitcher's nickname is "The Rocket," they are more than likely going to be considered one of the greatest to grace the mound.

ADVERTISEMENT

At least this is true in the case of Roger Clemens. The former MLB pitcher played for 24 seasons, leaving the league with 4,672 career strikeouts, an ERA of 3.12, and two World Series titles.

ADVERTISEMENT

Clayton Kershaw

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants - Game One
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

A left-handed pitcher, Clayton Kershaw has made quite a name for himself as a premier pitcher since his MLB debut in 2008.

ADVERTISEMENT

A World Series champion, a three-time NL Cy Young Award-winner, and lucky enough to pitch a no-hitter, Kershaw is going down in history as one of the best.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jim Palmer

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Sports Contributor Archive 2019
Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

With three Cy Young Awards, four Gold Glove Awards, and never allowing a grand slam during a major game, Jim Palmer is highly considered one of the best pitchers to play the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Palmer was a three-time World Serie champion who had a storied career and ended his time in the MLB with 268 career wins.

ADVERTISEMENT

Robert "Lefty" Grove

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bob Grove of Red Sox Throws Pitch
Bettmann/Getty Images
Bettmann/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Robert "Lefty" Grove became a star pitcher in the MLB after moving up from the minor leagues in the 1920s. One of the best pitchers in history, Lefty led the American League in strikeouts seven years in a row, held the league's lowest ERA nine times, and had the most wins in four separate seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

He was a six-time All-Star, a two-time Triple Crown winner, and two-time World Series champion.

ADVERTISEMENT

Leroy "Satchel" Paige

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Satchel Paige Pitchiing Miami Marlins
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Image
Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Image
ADVERTISEMENT

Leroy "Satchel" Paige's cocky behavior made him a different type of pitcher during his era, but no less fantastic. He would have his infield take a breather and head towards the dugout while he proceeded to strike out each batter who came to the plate!

ADVERTISEMENT

At the end of his career, Paige was a World Series champion, a two-time MLB All-Star, and the oldest player to ever retire from the game, at 59 years old.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sandy Koufax

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
sandy koufax playing baseball
Getty Images
Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Sandy Koufax didn't have as long as a career as others on this list, but for the 11 years he pitched, there was no one better. Many baseball historians believe that Koufax is the greatest pitcher of all time despite his less than impressive career numbers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Koufax was the first pitcher to throw three no hitters and was the youngest player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Edward "Whitey" Ford

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
lnywdmasqv4jw89ax4ks
jeffmur48833900/Twitter
jeffmur48833900/Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Edward "Whitey" Ford played in the MLB for 16 years, all of which he pitched for the New York Yankees. During his career, Whitey became a six-time World Series champion, a ten-time All-Star, and led the MLB in ERAs twice.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 1974, Ford was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Randy Johnson

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Seattle Mariners v New York Yankees
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Randy Johnson is one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in history, having a total of 4,875 career strikeouts, the second-highest amongst pitchers and the highest amongst lefties.

ADVERTISEMENT

The ten-time All-Star is also a five-time Cy Young Award-winner and a World Series title-holder. Johnson is also lucky enough to say he pitched both a perfect game and a no-hitter during his career.

ADVERTISEMENT

Justin Verlander

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GettyImages-1165530444
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

There are zero questions that Justin Verlander is a Hall of Famer. A flamethrower who hasn't slowed down with age, he has over 200 wins and hit a major milestone when he struck out his 3,000th batter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Verlander has done it all - he's won a World Series, two Cy Young Awards, been named the MVP, and has been named an all star eight times.

ADVERTISEMENT

Steve "Lefty" Carlton

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Steve Carlton Portrait
Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images
Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Steve "Lefty" Carlton has a very apt nickname, as he has the second-most lifetime wins of any left-handed pitcher as well as the second-most lifetime strikeouts, a solid 4,136.

ADVERTISEMENT

The first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards, Lefty was a ten-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion during his career.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mariano Rivera

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Oakland Athletics v New York Yankees
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

For 19 seasons, Mariano Rivera pitched for the New York Yankees. A five-time World Series champion and a 13-time All-Star, Rivera was a force on the mound.

ADVERTISEMENT

At the end of his career, he left the league with a whopping 652 saves and 952 finishes, the most in MLB history.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bob Feller

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo File
Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

With nicknames such as "Bullet Bob," "The Heater from Van Meter," and "Rapid Robert," it probably makes sense that Bob Feller is one of the greatest to grace the pitcher's mound.

ADVERTISEMENT

After playing 18 seasons in the MLB, Feller left the game with a win-loss record of 266–162, three no-hitters, a Triple Crown, and a World Series title.

ADVERTISEMENT

Roy "Doc" Halladay

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Toronto Blue Jays Photo Day
Nick Laham/Getty Images
Nick Laham/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

First pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays before pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, Roy "Doc" Halladay has gone down in history as one of the best ever to grace the mound.

ADVERTISEMENT

One of the most dominant pitchers of his era, Halladay had one perfect game under his belt and a post-season no-hitter. The eight-time All-Star was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grover Cleveland Alexander

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Portrait Of Grover Alexander
New York Times Co./Getty Images
New York Times Co./Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Playing in the major league from 1911 through 1930, Grover Cleveland Alexander set some pretty insane records. Alexander managed 90 shutouts during his career, became an NL ERA leader four times, an NL leader in wins six times, won the Triple Crown three times, and won a World Series title.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alexander is in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame, and the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Warren Spahn

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Warren Spahn In Milwaukee Braves Uniform
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Warren Spahn holds countless records with the MLB, including the most career wins by a left-handed pitcher, 363. Playing for 21 seasons, Spahn became known as the "thinking man's" pitcher who liked to play with the batter's mind.

ADVERTISEMENT

He became a 17-time All-Star and a World Series champion with 2,583 strikeouts under his belt by the time he retired.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pedro Martinez

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Montreal Expos v Philadelphia Phillies
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Even though he retired in 2009, Pedro Martinez remains the only pitcher to have over 3,000 career strikeouts with less than 3,000 innings pitched. An electric player throughout his career, Martinez left the game with an ERA of 2.93, the sixth-lowest in MLB history.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2015, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Boston Red Sox retired his number, 45, two days after his induction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Greg Maddux

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

During his time pitching in the MLB, Greg Maddux set numerous records, including becoming the first player to receive the coveted Cy Young Award multiple years in a row and the only person in history to win at least 15 games for 17 straight seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

At the end of his career, the World Series champ had 3,371 career strikeouts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bob Gibson

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bob Gibson Wearing his Uniform
Bettmann/Getty Images
Bettmann/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

During his 17 seasons playing in the MLB, Bob Gibson was one of the most unhittable pitchers in the league. His performance is often cited as one of the reasons why the league changed the regulation mound height from 15 inches to ten inches!

ADVERTISEMENT

Gibson retired as a two-time World Series champion with a no-hitter, two NL Cy Young Awards, nine Gold Glove Awards, 3,117 career strikeouts, and MLB ERA leader.

ADVERTISEMENT

Walter Johnson

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Baseball Player Walter Johnson of Washington Senators
Bettmann/Getty Images
Bettmann/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Pitching 21 years for the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson set a few league records, including most shutouts in a career at a whopping 110. As of 2021, the record still holds!

ADVERTISEMENT

When he retired in 1927, Johnson had 417 wins under his belt, 3,508 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.17. In 1936, Johnson was one of the "First Five" inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

ADVERTISEMENT

Robin Roberts

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Philadelphia Phillies
The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images
The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Robin Roberts spent 18 dominant seasons in MLB and today still holds the record for opening days started with the same team. He also completed an astonishing 305 games before returning.

ADVERTISEMENT

Roberts didn't try and strike out every batter. Instead, he dared the best in the business to make contact with his precisely placed pitches.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trevor Hoffman

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
2009 - Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

One of the most dominant relief pitchers of all time, Trevor Hoffman has more than earned his place here. He was the first pitcher to ever save 500 games, then topped himself when he reached 600!

ADVERTISEMENT

Surprisingly, Hoffman began his career as a shortstop but was offensively a liability so he transitioned to the bullpen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dennis Eckersley

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Oakland Athletics v Cincinnati Reds
Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images
Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

A true magician on the mound who could do it all, Dennis Eckersley was both a starting pitcher and a closer, By the time he retired, he had 197 wins and 390 saves.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eckersley is one of two pitchers to win 20 games in a season and save 50. In the '90s, there were few pitchers, if any, who could do what Eckersley did.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gaylord Perry

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Portrait of Gaylord Perry
Bettmann/Getty Images
Bettmann/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Gaylord Perry was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both the American League and National League. He retired with a career ERA of 3.11 and over 300 wins.

ADVERTISEMENT

Perry was as consistent as pitchers come and won 15 or more games in 13 straight seasons from 1966 through 1978.

ADVERTISEMENT

Max Scherzer

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NLCS: LA Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Max Scherzer might seem unpredictable on the mound with his volatile personality, but you can almost always expect him to shut down opposing offenses.

ADVERTISEMENT

For over a decade Scherzer has been one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB and has posted a career ERA of just over 3.00. His best season came in 2013 when he won 21 games and struck out 240 hitters.

ADVERTISEMENT

Phil Niekro

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA - 1969: Pitcher Phil Niekro of the Atlanta Braves, poses for a portrait prior to a game in 1969 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images
ATLANTA - 1969: Pitcher Phil Niekro of the Atlanta Braves, poses for a portrait prior to a game in 1969 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

An underappreciated talent during his time, Phil Niekro had a long career that deserves more recognition. A knuckleball specialist, he played for 25 seasons and won 318 game, retiring with a 3.35 ERA.

ADVERTISEMENT

Niekro's best season came at 39-years-old with the Atlanta Braves in 1978. He won 19 games and struck out 248 batters.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mike Mussina

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Baltimore Orioles
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

With an almost 20 year career under his belt, there's no denying just how consistent Mike Mussina was. His career 3.68 ERA and 270 wins only act as further proof.

ADVERTISEMENT

Even with his long career, Mussina may have peaked early, arguably having his best season at just 23-years-old. That year he won 18 games and pitched 241 innings.

ADVERTISEMENT

C.C. Sabathia

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Cleveland Indians v New York Yankees
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

With 251 career wins to his name and over 3,000 strikeouts, it's only a matter of time before C.C. Sabathia is enshrined in the Hall of Fame. His production tailed off near the end of his career, but at his peak, he was must watch television.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sabathia had his best year in 2008. He started 35 games, won 17, and pitched 253 inning.