What pitcher had the most strikeouts in Major League Baseball history?

Answer 1

Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts as a pitcher, and frankly no one has even come close to his record yet. Ryan struck out a mind boggling 5714 batters, he was more than 1,000 SO's ahead of second place Randy Johnson until this last year when Johnson was able to achieve 4789 lifetime k's (k is the official score sheet notation for a strikeout). Johnson has pitched for 20 years and is in the twilight of his career. He had 173 K's in 2008 so at that pace he would have to pitch for the next 5 or so years and keep the same level of effectiveness, which is all but impossible. 3rd place is Roger Clemens at 4672, though all his records will be in doubt due to his tarnished reputation from his steroid usage. Based on performance alone and discounting Clemens' steroid usage, both Johnson and Clemens are first ballot hall of famers and two of the best pitchers to ever play the game. They were still almost 1,000 k's behind the great Nolan Ryan, who threw 100 m.p.h. late into his career.

Answer 2

Through the 2008 season: 1) Cy Young - AL (1901), NL (1896)

2) Jim Bunning - AL (1959, 1960), NL (1967)

3) Nolan Ryan - AL (1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1989, 1990), NL (1987, 1988)

4) Randy Johnson - AL (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), NL (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)

Answer 3

The record occurred during the period 1884 to 1886.

The American Association and the Union Association of that time are both considered to be a major league. In 1886, Matt Kilroy struck out 513 batters. In 1884, Hugh Daily struck out 483. "Old Hoss" Radbourne struck out 441 in 1884 for a National League team.

Since 1886, the most strike-outs in a season by a pitcher was 383 by Nolan Ryan in 1973.

Answer 4

Nolan Ryan holds the career MLB strikeout record with 5,714.

Answer 5

Nolan Ryan has the most career strikeouts with 5,714. Randy Johnson has the 2nd most.