What is a Strikeout?
A strikeout in baseball is when a pitcher records an out by throwing three strikes to a batter. Three strikes in a row are called a strikeout. A strikeout is one of the most valuable defensive plays in baseball and is a sure way for pitchers to get an out and prevent runs from scoring.
Major League Records
The Major League record for most strikeouts in a single game is 20 and is held by seven different pitchers, including Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood, and Tom Seaver. While this is the most strikeouts a pitcher has recorded in a single game, it is not the most strikeouts a pitcher has ever thrown in a single outing.
Has a Pitcher Ever Thrown 27 Strikeouts?
The answer to this question is yes. On April 22, 1986, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros threw 27 strikeouts in a 9-inning game against the San Francisco Giants. This is the most strikeouts ever thrown in a single game in Major League Baseball history.
Other 27+ Strikeout Games
Nolan Ryan is not the only pitcher to have thrown 27 or more strikeouts in a single game. In fact, there have been 14 other pitchers who have achieved this feat, including:
- Sandy Koufax – 28 strikeouts (1965)
- Jim Maloney – 28 strikeouts (1965)
- Tommy John – 28 strikeouts (1971)
- Randy Johnson – 28 strikeouts (1997)
- Kerry Wood – 20 strikeouts (1998)
- Kevin Brown – 29 strikeouts (1998)
- Randy Johnson – 24 strikeouts (1999)
- Randy Johnson – 25 strikeouts (2002)
- Hideo Nomo – 27 strikeouts (2002)
- Johan Santana – 27 strikeouts (2006)
- Max Scherzer – 27 strikeouts (2016)
- Chris Sale – 27 strikeouts (2017)
- Justin Verlander – 29 strikeouts (2020)
Factors Behind a 27+ Strikeout Game
Achieving 27 or more strikeouts in a single game is a remarkable feat and requires a special combination of skill, stamina, and luck.
Skill
Obviously, the pitcher must have a high level of skill in order to achieve this feat. The pitcher must be able to effectively mix up their pitches, throw with accuracy, and have great control of the strike zone.
Stamina
In addition to skill, the pitcher must also have great stamina in order to throw that many strikes in a single game. The pitcher must be able to stay focused and maintain their energy level throughout the entire game in order to be successful.
Luck
Finally, luck plays a role in the pitcher’s success. A pitcher must have some luck in order to have all the necessary factors align in order for them to throw 27 or more strikeouts in a single game.
Notable 27+ Strikeout Games
There have been a number of notable 27+ strikeout games in Major League history. Here are a few of the most memorable:
- Nolan Ryan – 27 strikeouts (1986)
- Sandy Koufax – 28 strikeouts (1965)
- Kevin Brown – 29 strikeouts (1998)
- Justin Verlander – 29 strikeouts (2020)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible for a pitcher to throw 27 or more strikeouts in a single game. While the feat is rare and has only been accomplished by 15 pitchers in Major League history, it is certainly possible. The pitcher must possess a high level of skill, have great stamina, and have some luck in order to achieve this feat.