MLB Winners

Top 10 MLB Pitchers of All-Time

August 30, 2024

Pitching is ike being the lead guitarist in a rock band—everyone’s watching you, and you either crush it or crash and burn – god forbid the manager makes his slow walk to the mound after giving up your third home run.

Over the years, a few pitchers have become legends, playing the game like it was their personal playground.

These pitchers didn’t just throw the ball; they owned the mound, racking up wins, strikeouts, and awards that made them household names.

Best Baseball Pitchers In History

Let’s take a look at the top 10 MLB pitchers of all time—the ones who made batters sweat and fans cheer with every pitch.

1. Walter Johnson

Win-Loss Record: 417-279
ERA: 2.17
Strikeouts: 3,509
Complete Games: 531
Shutouts: 110
Years Active: 1907-1927
Teams: Washington Senators
Titles Won: 1
MVP Awards: 2

Walter Johnson, also known as “The Big Train,” is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in MLB history.

His 417 career wins and 110 shutouts are second to none.

Johnson’s fastball was legendary, and he dominated the early 20th century with speed and control that few could match. Beyond his stats, Johnson was also known for his sportsmanship and humility, making him one of the most respected figures in baseball history.

2. Cy Young

Win-Loss Record: 511-315
ERA: 2.63
Strikeouts: 2,803
Complete Games: 749
Shutouts: 76
Perfect Games: 1
Years Active: 1890-1911
Teams: Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals, Boston Americans/Red Sox, Cleveland Naps
Titles Won: 1

Cy Young’s name comes with pitching excellence, and the award given annually to the best pitchers is named in his honor.

With 511 career wins, Young holds the record for the most wins by a pitcher in MLB history— a record that will never to be broken.

His durability and ability to pitch deep into games are reflected in his 749 complete games, a figure that seems mythical in today’s era of pitch counts and specialized bullpens.

3. Sandy Koufax

Win-Loss Record: 165-87
ERA: 2.76
Strikeouts: 2,396
Complete Games: 137
Shutouts: 40
Perfect Games: 1
Years Active: 1955-1966
Teams: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
Titles Won: 4
Cy Young Awards: 3
MVP Awards: 1

Sandy Koufax’s career, though pretty short, was nothing short of amazing.

His dominance in the 1960s, particularly in the postseason, earned him a reputation as one of the most clutch pitchers in history.

Koufax’s four no-hitters, including a perfect game show his talent.

Despite playing in an era before advanced medical treatments, Koufax overcame severe arm pain to deliver some of the biggest performances in baseball history.

His ability to perform under pressure, especially in the World Series, where he won two MVPs, solidified his status as one of the all-time greats.

4. Pedro Martinez

Win-Loss Record: 219-100
ERA: 2.93
Strikeouts: 3,154
Complete Games: 46
Shutouts: 17
Years Active: 1992-2009
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
Titles Won: 1
Cy Young Awards: 3

Martinez was a force in the late 1990s and early 2000s, despite pitching in the heart of the steroid era.

Known for his changeup and pinpoint control, Martinez was almost unhittable at his peak.

His 1999 season, where he posted a 23-4 record with a 2.07 ERA, is maybe one of the best pitching seasons ever.

Martinez brought a fiery passion to the mound that intimidated batters and energized his teams. His rivalry with the New York Yankees, particularly during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, added to his legendary status.

5. Greg Maddux

Win-Loss Record: 355-227
ERA: 3.16
Strikeouts: 3,371
Complete Games: 109
Shutouts: 35
Years Active: 1986-2008
Teams: Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres
Titles Won: 1
Cy Young Awards: 4

Greg Maddux, “The Professor,” was a master of control and strategy on the mound.

He won four straight Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 and was a key figure in the Atlanta Braves’ run in the 1990s.

Maddux’s ability to outthink hitters and induce weak contact made him one of the most efficient pitchers ever.

He was known for his ability to read batters and adjust his pitching style to exploit their weaknesses, often making him appear to be playing chess while others were playing checkers.

6. Roger Clemens

Win-Loss Record: 354-184
ERA: 3.12
Strikeouts: 4,672
Complete Games: 118
Shutouts: 46
Years Active: 1984-2007
Teams: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros
Titles Won: 2
Cy Young Awards: 7
MVP Awards: 1

Roger “The Rocket” Clemens is one of the most decorated pitchers in MLB history.

His 4,672 strikeouts rank third all-time, and his seven Cy Young Awards are the most by any pitcher.

Despite some dodgy stories surrounding his career, Clemens’ ability on the mound was undeniable.

His longevity in the game, with his ability to perform across multiple decades, is a credit to his talent and drive. Clemens’ intensity often made him a polarizing figure, but there’s no denying his impact on the game.

7. Tom Seaver

Win-Loss Record: 311-205
ERA: 2.86
Strikeouts: 3,640
Complete Games: 231
Shutouts: 61
Years Active: 1967-1986
Teams: New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox
Titles Won: 1
Cy Young Awards: 3

Tom “Tom Terrific” Seaver was the face of the Mets during their early years and was a huge part of their 1969 World Series winners

Seaver’s 3,640 strikeouts and 311 wins are among the best in baseball history.

His leadership on and off the field was a big part of the Mets’ success, and his ability to lift his game in big moments made him a beloved figure in New York.

8. Bob Gibson

Win-Loss Record: 251-174
ERA: 2.91
Strikeouts: 3,117
Complete Games: 255
Shutouts: 56
Years Active: 1959-1975
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals
Titles Won: 2
Cy Young Awards: 2
MVP Awards: 1

Bob Gibson was known for his god-fearing presence on the mound.

Gibson’s 1968 season, where he posted a 1.12 ERA, is maybe one of the best seasons in MLB history.

A two-time World Series MVP, Gibson’s ability to lift in the postseason was like clockwork.

9. Randy Johnson

Win-Loss Record: 303-166
ERA: 3.29
Strikeouts: 4,875
Complete Games: 100
Shutouts: 37
Perfect Games: 1
Years Active: 1988-2009
Teams: Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants
Titles Won: 1
Cy Young Awards: 5

Randy Johnson, better known as “The Big Unit,” was one of the most intimidating pitchers in the history of the game.

His towering 6’10” frame and awesome fastball made him nearly unhittable at his best.

Johnson’s 4,875 strikeouts rank second all-time, and his performance in the 2001 World Series, where he won co-World Series MVP honors, cements his place in the history books.

Johnson’s ability to throw high-spped pitches deep into games made him a terror for batters throughout his career.

10. Lefty Grove

Win-Loss Record: 300-141
ERA: 3.06
Strikeouts: 2,266
Complete Games: 298
Shutouts: 35
Years Active: 1925-1941
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox
Titles Won: 2
Cy Young Awards: 0 (pre-Cy Young era)
MVP Awards: 1

Lefty Grove was one of the best left-handed pitchers of his era.

With a career winning % of .680, Grove was performed throughout his career.

His 1931 MVP season, where he went 31-4 with a 2.06 ERA, is still one of the best single-seasons by a pitcher.

His ability to perform at a high level, even as he aged, is a credit to his skill and willpower

Best MLB Pitchers All-Time Statistics

This table highlights the careers of the top 10 MLB pitchers of all time.

Take a look at their win-loss records, strikeouts, shutouts, and the number of World Series titles they won.

Player	Win-Loss	Strikeouts	Shutouts	WS Wins
1. Walter Johnson	417-279	3,509	110	1
2. Cy Young	511-315	2,803	76	1
3. Sandy Koufax	165-87	2,396	40	4
4. Pedro Martinez	219-100	3,154	17	1
5. Greg Maddux	355-227	3,371	35	1
6. Roger Clemens	354-184	4,672	46	2
7. Tom Seaver	311-205	3,640	61	1
8. Bob Gibson	251-174	3,117	56	2
9. Randy Johnson	303-166	4,875	37	1
10. Lefty Grove	300-141	2,266	35	2