Who holds the record for the most strikeouts in Major League Baseball?
When it comes to Major League Baseball, there are many records that stand the test of time. One record that is often considered is which player has the most strikeouts in their career. Strikeouts are an important part of the game, as they can help a pitcher get out of a jam or put away a batter in a big situation. While strikeouts can be a great thing for a pitcher, they can also be an indication that a player is having trouble with his control or his command of his pitches. So who has the most strikeouts in MLB history?
Randy Johnson is the current leader in strikeouts in Major League Baseball with 4,875. Johnson was a tall, lanky left-hander who had a long, successful career in the majors. He was known for his overpowering fastball and his devastating slider, which helped him rack up so many strikeouts during his career. Johnson was a five-time Cy Young Award winner, a 10-time All-Star, and a World Series champion.
The All-Time Strikeout Leaders in Major League Baseball
Randy Johnson may be the current leader in strikeouts, but there are plenty of other players who have also racked up a ton of strikeouts during their careers. Here is a look at the all-time leaders in strikeouts in Major League Baseball history:
- Randy Johnson – 4,875
- Nolan Ryan – 5,714
- Roger Clemens – 4,672
- Steve Carlton – 4,136
- Bert Blyleven – 3,701
- Don Sutton – 3,574
- Tom Seaver – 3,640
- Greg Maddux – 3,371
- Phil Niekro – 3,342
- Curt Schilling – 3,116
The Active Strikeout Leaders in Major League Baseball
While Randy Johnson and Nolan Ryan are the all-time leaders in strikeouts, there are still plenty of active players who have also racked up a ton of strikeouts during their careers. Here is a look at the active leaders in strikeouts in Major League Baseball:
- Justin Verlander – 2,865
- Clayton Kershaw – 2,622
- Max Scherzer – 2,614
- Zack Greinke – 2,583
- CC Sabathia – 2,586
- Felix Hernandez – 2,530
- Cole Hamels – 2,443
- Jon Lester – 2,337
- David Price – 2,307
- Matt Harvey – 1,964
The Players with the Most Strikeouts in a Single Season
Not only do certain players have the most strikeouts in their career, there are also players who have had the most strikeouts in a single season. Here is a look at the players with the most strikeouts in a single season in Major League Baseball history:
- Nolan Ryan – 383 strikeouts in 1973
- Randy Johnson – 372 strikeouts in 2001
- Chris Sale – 308 strikeouts in 2017
- Pedro Martinez – 305 strikeouts in 1999
- Randy Johnson – 294 strikeouts in 2000
- Max Scherzer – 284 strikeouts in 2018
- John Smoltz – 276 strikeouts in 1996
- Randy Johnson – 271 strikeouts in 1998
- Roger Clemens – 270 strikeouts in 1998
- Justin Verlander – 269 strikeouts in 2009
The Most Strikeouts in a Single Game
While there are certain players who have the most strikeouts in their career or in a single season, there are also players who have had the most strikeouts in a single game. Here is a look at the players with the most strikeouts in a single game in Major League Baseball history:
- Tom Cheney – 21 strikeouts in 1962
- Nolan Ryan – 19 strikeouts in 1974
- Roger Clemens – 18 strikeouts in 1986
- Max Scherzer – 17 strikeouts in 2016
- Clayton Kershaw – 15 strikeouts in 2015
- Randy Johnson – 15 strikeouts in 2001
- Edwin Jackson – 14 strikeouts in 2010
- Kerry Wood – 14 strikeouts in 1998
- Yu Darvish – 14 strikeouts in 2013
- Sandy Koufax – 14 strikeouts in 1959
The Most Strikeouts in a Single Inning
Not only have certain players had the most strikeouts in a single game, there are also players who have had the most strikeouts in a single inning. Here is a look at the players with the most strikeouts in a single inning in Major League Baseball history:
- Nolan Ryan – 10 strikeouts in 1974
- Randy Johnson – 9 strikeouts in 2001
- Roger Clemens – 8 strikeouts in 1986
- Max Scherzer – 7 strikeouts in 2016
- Clayton Kershaw – 7 strikeouts in 2015
- Randy Johnson – 7 strikeouts in 1997
- Hideo Nomo – 7 strikeouts in 1996
- Pedro Martinez – 7 strikeouts in 2000
- Mike Mussina – 7 strikeouts in 1998
- Nolan Ryan – 7 strikeouts in 1972
The Most Strikeouts in a Postseason Game
Major League Baseball players can also rack up a lot of strikeouts in the postseason. Here is a look at the players with the most strikeouts in a postseason game in Major League Baseball history:
- Roger Clemens – 15 strikeouts in 2000
- Max Scherzer – 14 strikeouts in 2017
- Clayton Kershaw – 14 strikeouts in 2014
- Randy Johnson – 13 strikeouts in 2001
- Justin Verlander – 12 strikeouts in 2011
- Cliff Lee – 12 strikeouts in 2009
- Roger Clemens – 12 strikeouts in 1986
- Kerry Wood – 12 strikeouts in 2003
- John Smoltz – 11 strikeouts in 1996
- Orel Hershiser – 11 strikeouts in 1988
Conclusion
Strikeouts are an important part of Major League Baseball, and certain players have been able to rack up a ton of them during their careers. Randy Johnson is the current leader in strikeouts in Major League Baseball history with 4,875, while Nolan Ryan holds the record for the most strikeouts in a single season with 383. There are also players who have had the most strikeouts in a single game, a single inning, and a postseason game. No matter who has the most strikeouts, strikeouts have always been an important part of the game of baseball.