The Greatest Pitchers of All Time
When it comes to America's favorite pastime, the mound has seen some of the most talented athletes in sports history. In this post, we're diving into the careers of the greatest MLB pitchers of all time. These legends of the game have shattered records, delivered unforgettable performances, and left indelible marks on baseball fans everywhere. Their skill, determination, and dominance have made them household names and secured their places in the annals of baseball history.
Take Randy Johnson, for instance. Known as "The Big Unit," Johnson's towering presence and devastating fastball earned him five Cy Young Awards and a reputation as one of the most fearsome pitchers ever. Then there's Nolan Ryan, whose astonishing career spanned four decades and included seven no-hitters, a record that still stands today. His blistering speed and durability made him a legend. Greg Maddux, with his masterful control and intelligence on the mound, won four consecutive Cy Young Awards and proved that precision could be just as effective as power. Each of these pitchers brought something unique to the game, making their mark in different yet equally impactful ways.
Now it's time for you to weigh in. Think about the pitchers who amazed you with their talent, the ones whose games you never wanted to miss, and those who epitomize the art of pitching. Vote on the best pitchers in baseball history and see how your favorites rank among other baseball enthusiasts. Your votes will help celebrate the unparalleled achievements and enduring legacies of these pitching greats.
- 1
Nolan Ryan, known as "The Ryan Express," stands tall in the pantheon of MLB's greatest pitchers, thanks to a legendary career spanning a record-breaking 27 seasons. The fireballer put fear into the heart of batters with his blistering fastball and unforgiving demeanor on the mound. Leaving an indelible mark on the game, Ryan's seven no-hitters and seemingly infinite strikeout total are a testament to his exceptional talent and endurance.
- Position: Pitcher
- 2
The Big Unit Randy Johnson was the epitome of a power pitcher, using his imposing 6'10" frame and lethal left-handed delivery to dominate hitters throughout his Hall of Fame career. Consistently reaching triple-digit velocity, Johnson's fastball was both feared and revered, while his devastating slider kept opponents off balance. Towering over the mound as he approached the plate, Johnson's presence alone was enough to unsettle hitters and secure his status as one of the most intimidating pitchers of all time.
- Team: New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 3
The "Professor" Greg Maddux mastered the art of pitching through his unparalleled ability to dissect opposing hitters and outsmart them with an extensive repertoire of pitches. Featuring pinpoint control, deceptive movement, and incredible durability, Maddux carved out a legacy as one of the most cerebral and effective pitchers in Major League history. An artist on the mound, Maddux's understanding of the intricate nuances of pitching elevated him to the upper echelons of baseball greatness.
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves
- Position: Pitcher
- 4
St. Louis Cardinals icon Bob Gibson terrorized batters with his ferocious competitive spirit and lightning-fast fastball, earning a reputation as one of the most relentless and hard-nosed pitchers the game has ever seen. Gibson's intensity on the mound was matched by his tremendous athleticism, which allowed him to field his position with grace and agility. A true warrior, Gibson's performances in crucial postseason games are the stuff of legend, solidifying his status among the greatest pitchers of all time.
- Team: St. Louis Cardinals
- Position: Pitcher
- 5
Pedro Martínez dazzled fans during his career with an electric combination of blazing speed, artful deception, and unparalleled pitch command. Despite his relatively slight stature, Martínez dominated opponents with an arsenal that left them helpless, becoming one of the game's most feared and respected hurlers. A true showman, Pedro's unique combination of skill, charisma, and competitive fire earned him a place among the pantheon of baseball's elite.
- Team: Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 6
Sandy Koufax's electric left arm was the key to his legendary dominance during a relatively brief but awe-inspiring career. His extraordinary fastball and untouchable curveball left batters flailing, while his calm demeanor and humble personality endeared him to legions of fans. Despite a career cut short by injury, Koufax's few transcendent years on the mound forever cemented his place as one of the most iconic pitchers in the annals of baseball history.
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers
- Position: Pitcher
- 7
Known as "Tom Terrific" for his brilliant performances on the mound, Tom Seaver was a generational talent who combined power, precision, and poise to become one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. With a smooth and deliberate delivery, Seaver possessed incredible control over his fastball and devastating slider, leaving hitters struggling to make contact. A consummate professional, Seaver's contributions to the game extend beyond his statistical accomplishments, as he quickly earned the respect and admiration of teammates, foes, and fans alike.
- Team: New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox
- Position: Pitcher
- 8
The legendary Satchel Paige may be considered the best pitcher in baseball history who never had the opportunity to showcase his talents on the game's grandest stage. A star of the Negro Leagues, Paige's peerless ability to generate speed with his whip-like motion and clever repertoire of pitches made him a mythic figure. Through his dynamic personality and undeniable talent, Paige's influence reached far beyond the world of baseball, transcending sport to become an American icon.
- Position: Pitcher
- 9
The Big Train Walter Johnson was a force of nature on the mound, demonstrating unparalleled velocity and skill on his way to becoming one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Fueled by a powerful sidearm delivery, Johnson's electric fastball seemed almost unstoppable as it blazed past befuddled hitters. A gentle giant off the field, Johnson's unassuming demeanor belied his fierce competitiveness, making him an endearing figure to both fans and peers alike.
- Position: Pitcher
- 10
Denton True "Cy" Young, the man for whom the prestigious pitching award is named, was undeniably one of the most successful hurlers ever to grace the diamond. With a seemingly inexhaustible arm, Young combined impeccable control and remarkable durability during his extraordinary 22-year career. The embodiment of excellence on the mound, Cy Young's numerous records and enduring impact on the game make him an undeniable legend.
- Position: Pitcher
- 11
The undisputed king of the closer's role, Mariano Rivera earned the moniker "The Sandman" for his ability to put games to bed with surgical precision. Rivera's iconic cutter became the bane of many a hitter's existence, as a seemingly endless parade of broken bats testified to the pitch's devastating effectiveness. With steely nerves and a quiet grace, Rivera epitomized the essence of a shutdown reliever, forever enshrining his name among the greatest pitchers of all time.
- Team: New York Yankees
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
- 12
Clayton Kershaw's outstanding career has been defined by his devastating curveball, a pitch so feared and effective, it's been dubbed "Public Enemy Number One." Coupled with his laser-like fastball and deceptive slider, Kershaw's arsenal made him one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in MLB history. With an unwavering determination to succeed, Kershaw continues to build upon his already impressive legacy as he etches his name among the game's all-time greats.
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 13
Dubbed "The Rocket" for his blistering fastball, Roger Clemens was a dominant force throughout his storied career. Armed with an impressive repertoire of pitches, Clemens used his imposing presence on the mound to strike fear into the hearts of opposing hitters. Combining raw power with an unquenchable competitive fire, Clemens forged a lasting legacy that places him among the upper echelon of baseball's pitching legends.
- Team: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros
- Position: Pitcher
- 14
Steve Carlton, known as "Lefty," was a master of deception on the mound, with his devastating slider garnering the admiration and respect of hitters and peers alike. Utilizing his unique delivery and exceptional command, Carlton was able to baffle his opponents and rack up an impressive strikeout total. A tireless worker and fierce competitor, Carlton's tenacity and dedication to his craft propelled him to the pinnacle of baseball's elite.
- Team: Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins
- Position: Pitcher
- 15
Rapid Robert Bob Feller was a larger-than-life figure both on and off the field, as his blazing fastball and unwavering patriotism cemented his legacy in baseball history. Combining power and precision, Feller's electric arm left countless batters waving at air while he mowed them down one by one. Despite losing valuable prime years to military service, Feller's dominance on the mound remains an integral part of baseball lore.
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 16
One of the first true giants of baseball, Christy Mathewson was a pioneer who set the standard for excellence on the mound. Known for his "fadeaway" – an early version of the screwball – Mathewson carved up opposing lineups with unmatched grace and poise. A consummate professional who brought respect and dignity to the game, Mathewson's contributions to baseball are nothing short of legendary.
- Position: Pitcher
- 17
Warren Spahn's exceptional durability and uncanny ability to excel in the face of adversity made him a legend among left-handed pitchers. With a seemingly endless array of pitches at his disposal, Spahn confounded hitters and racked up impressive strikeout totals throughout his long and illustrious career. A true workhorse, Spahn's tenacity and dedication to his craft remain an integral part of baseball history.
- Team: New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 18
John Smoltz's incredible versatility set him apart from other great pitchers, as he excelled in both starting and closing roles throughout his illustrious career. Boasting a nasty slider and a deceptive splitter, Smoltz's ability to adapt his approach based on the situation earned him a reputation as a true gamer. With a fiercely competitive spirit and a never-say-die attitude, Smoltz remains an inspiration to ballplayers everywhere.
- Team: Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 19
Max Scherzer's relentless drive and overpowering pitching arsenal have made him one of the most feared hurlers in today's game. With a knee-buckling curve, deceptive changeup, and a fastball that consistently reaches the upper 90s, Scherzer's skill and intensity on the mound are not easily matched. As he continues to carve out his place in baseball history, Scherzer's name is quickly rising among the ranks of the game's all-time greats.
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
- Team: Texas Rangers
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 20
Armed with a blazing fastball and a lethal curveball, Justin Verlander has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. His unwavering commitment to excellence and tireless work ethic have made him a force to be reckoned with on the mound. As Verlander continues to add to his already impressive resume, he further cements his place among the greatest MLB pitchers of all time.
- Birthplace: Manakin-Sabot, Virginia
- Team: Houston Astros
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 21
A master of finesse and control, Tom Glavine built a remarkable career on his ability to outsmart hitters with his deceptive changeup and pinpoint accuracy. Part of an exceptional trio of pitchers alongside Greg Maddux and John Smoltz, Glavine's consistency and poise helped define the Atlanta Braves' success in the 1990s. Never one to overpower opponents with speed, Glavine's cerebral approach to the game solidified his place among the finest left-handed pitchers of all time.
- Team: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets
- Position: Pitcher
- 22
Jim Palmer's elegant pitching style and remarkable consistency made him one of the most respected and accomplished hurlers of his era. Mixing a potent fastball with a devastating curve, Palmer left opposing hitters scratching their heads as he amassed an impressive collection of victories and shutouts. An anchor on some of the most dominant teams in MLB history, Palmer's contributions to the game have solidified his place among the all-time greats.
- Team: Baltimore Orioles
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 23
With a high leg kick and a dazzling assortment of pitches, Juan Marichal left a lasting impression on baseball history. Known for his unorthodox delivery and unwavering accuracy, Marichal was an artist on the mound, painting a masterpiece with each pitch. A trailblazer of his time, Marichal's impact on the game reaches well beyond his impressive statistics and accomplishments.
- Position: Pitcher
- 24
Armed with a fierce competitive spirit and a dismantling repertoire of pitches, Catfish Hunter excelled on the mound throughout his storied career. Displaying uncanny precision and finesse, Hunter consistently kept hitters off-balance as he racked up victories and etched his name in baseball history. A true professional, Hunter's quiet intensity and unyielding work ethic solidified his place among the greatest pitchers to ever toe the rubber.
- Team: New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Athletics
- Position: Pitcher
- 25
Whitey Ford's incredible accuracy and cunning on the mound made him a mainstay in the New York Yankees' rotation during their storied dynasty in the 1950s and 1960s. As the team's all-time leader in wins, Ford used his sweeping curveball and pinpoint control to frustrate and outwit opposing hitters. Known as the "Chairman of the Board," Ford's ability to shine under the bright lights of the postseason cemented his place as one of baseball's all-time great clutch performers.
- Team: New York Yankees
- Position: Pitcher
- 26
Ferguson Jenkins brought a unique blend of power and control to the mound, utilizing an impressive fastball and a sharp slider to rack up wins and strikeouts throughout his remarkable career. Consistently confounding hitters with poise and precision, Jenkins carved out a place for himself among the pantheon of elite MLB pitchers. A well-respected and beloved figure, Jenkins' impact on the game can still be felt today.
- Team: Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 27
From starting pitcher to lights-out closer, Dennis Eckersley's versatility and talent on the mound are truly awe-inspiring. With a powerful fastball and a knee-buckling slider, Eckersley made the transition from starter to reliever with remarkable success, earning him a place among baseball's elite. Combining incredible focus and unwavering determination, "Eck" will forever be remembered as one of the finest relief pitchers in the annals of the game.
- Team: Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians
- Position: Pitcher
- 28
With his iconic handlebar mustache and unflappable demeanor, Rollie Fingers revolutionized the role of the relief pitcher during his remarkable career. Possessing an uncanny ability to excel under pressure, Fingers utilized his deceptive sinker and pinpoint accuracy to close out games with ruthless efficiency. A pioneer in the evolution of the closer's role, Fingers' success in high-stakes situations cements his legacy as one of the game's greatest relief pitchers.
- Team: Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres
- Position: Pitcher
- 29
Phil Niekro's mastery of the knuckleball made him one of the most difficult pitchers to face during his storied MLB career. Baffling hitters with the unpredictability and unique movement of his signature pitch, Niekro enjoyed incredible longevity and success in the league. A tireless worker and consummate professional, Niekro's name remains synonymous with the enigmatic knuckleball and its place in baseball lore.
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 30
A true workhorse on the mound, Roy Halladay's powerful arm and relentless determination defined his extraordinary career. Boasting an arsenal that included a darting cutter and a sharp curveball, Halladay consistently overpowered and outsmarted hitters on his way to becoming one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. A fierce competitor with an unwavering commitment to excellence, Halladay's impact on the game is still felt today.
- Team: Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays
- Position: Pitcher
- 31
Lefty Grove's mastery of the art of pitching propelled him to the upper echelons of baseball greatness, as he utilized an impressive arsenal of pitches and exceptional command to baffle hitters throughout his career. With a powerful fastball and a devastating curve, Grove consistently outdueled his opponents, earning a reputation as one of the most dominant southpaws in history. Despite facing formidable competition in his era, Grove's talent shone bright, earning him a well-deserved place among the game's elite.
- Position: Pitcher
- 32
Orel Hershiser, affectionately known as "Bulldog," was a master at changing speeds and keeping hitters off balance throughout his storied career. Boasting a versatile pitch arsenal, Hershiser relied on his superb command and extensive knowledge of his opponents to dominate from the mound. A beloved figure in the game, Hershiser's relentless determination and exceptional talent earned him a place among baseball's elite pitchers.
- Team: New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians
- Position: Pitcher
- 33
Filled with fiery intensity and mental toughness, Curt Schilling was a true warrior on the mound, unafraid to take on any challenge or opponent. Harnessing a powerful fastball and a devastating splitter, Schilling consistently delivered impressive performances when the stakes were highest, earning a reputation as a big-game pitcher. With his heart set on victory and competitive fire burning bright, Schilling etched his name alongside the legends of the game.
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 34
One of baseball's most notorious pitchers, Gaylord Perry created a lasting legacy through his mastery of the spitball, a pitch that many considered illegal but he used to confound and frustrate hitters. Perry's commanding presence on the mound and impressive longevity left an indelible mark on the game, while his cunning approach to pitching made him a folk hero among fans. A true character, Perry's influence on the game will forever be remembered and debated.
- Team: Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers
- Position: Pitcher
- 35
Though best known for his prolific home run prowess, Babe Ruth began his illustrious career as one of the game's most dominant pitchers. Possessing a blazing fastball and exceptional command, Ruth quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the mound. Though his transition to the outfield ultimately changed the course of baseball history, Ruth's early success as a pitcher serves as a reminder of his incredible versatility and legendary talent.
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder, Left fielder, Pitcher
- 36
A fearsome presence on the mound, Goose Gossage's intimidating stare and blistering fastball made him one of the most dominant relief pitchers in MLB history. Gossage revolutionized the closer role, using his incredible stamina to slam the door on opponents time and time again. As a pioneer for future generations of late-inning relievers, Gossage's impact on the game is undeniable, securing his spot among the greatest pitchers to ever take the mound.
- Birthplace: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Team: New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs
- Position: Pitcher
- 37
Luis Tiant, nicknamed "El Tiante," dazzled fans and foes alike with his unique windup and delivery, making him one of the most entertaining and effective pitchers of his era. Employing an impressive array of off-speed pitches, Tiant confounded hitters while keeping them off balance with his unorthodox style. A beloved figure in the game, Tiant's success on the mound and charismatic personality continue to resonate with baseball fans to this day.
- Birthplace: Marianao, Cuba
- Position: Pitcher
- 38
Bert Blyleven was a dedicated player and formidable opponent who mastered the craft of pitching during his notable MLB career. With a commanding curveball and an effective fastball, Blyleven consistently baffled hitters and accumulated remarkable strikeout numbers. A respected personality both on and off the field, Blyleven's dedication to the sport and his impressive accomplishments have solidified his position among baseball's elite.
- Birthplace: Zeist, Netherlands
- Team: Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, California Angels
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 39
Vida Blue's remarkable talent and winning smile made him an instant sensation, as he burst onto the scene by overpowering hitters with his blazing fastball and sharp slider. His ability to dominate on the mound while maintaining a joyful demeanor endeared him to fans and teammates alike. A trailblazer in his time, Blue's impact on the game of baseball stretches far beyond his impressive accomplishments on the field.
- Birthplace: Mansfield, Louisiana
- Team: Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals
- Position: Pitcher
- 40
Grover Cleveland Alexander, or "Old Pete," was one of the premier pitchers of the early 20th century, combining exceptional control and unwavering determination to rack up impressive win totals. With a smooth delivery and a relentless work ethic, Alexander dominated hitters with his precision and mastery of the strike zone. A legend of the game, Alexander's impact on baseball history remains palpable, as his incredible achievements continue to inspire awe and admiration.
- Position: Pitcher
- 41
Dwight "Doc" Gooden burst onto the scene as a teenage phenom, electrifying fans with his incredible arm strength and pinpoint control. Armed with a devastating curveball and an overpowering fastball, Gooden quickly established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. Though his career was marred by personal struggles, Gooden's brilliance on the mound remains an integral part of baseball lore and a testament to his prodigious talent.
- Birthplace: Tampa, Florida
- Team: New York Yankees, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 42
Don Drysdale was an imposing force on the mound, combining a powerful fastball with a devastating breaking ball to strike fear into the hearts of opposing hitters. Hailing from a golden age of power pitchers, Drysdale's aggressive approach and fearless demeanor made him a living legend in the baseball world. A quintessential competitor and icon of the game, Drysdale's impact on the sport reaches far beyond his impressive career achievements.
- Team: Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers
- Position: Pitcher
43Fernando Valenzuela captured the hearts of baseball fans around the world with his charismatic presence and mesmerizing talent during "Fernandomania" in the early 1980s. His signature screwball and fierce competitiveness made Valenzuela one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers of his time. A trailblazer for Mexican players, Valenzuela's success and impact on the game continue to inspire future generations of aspiring ballplayers.
- Birthplace: Etchohuaquila, Mexico
- Team: St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels
- Position: Pitcher
- 44
Combining pinpoint accuracy and a deep arsenal of pitches, Mike Mussina consistently baffled opposing hitters throughout his exceptional career. Known for his competitive spirit and unwavering focus, Mussina's ability to adapt and evolve as a pitcher helped him maintain a high level of performance well into his late 30s. A true professional, Mussina's consistency and tenacity on the mound have solidified his place among the game's greats.
- Birthplace: Williamsport, USA, Pennsylvania
- Position: Pitcher
- 45
Bruce Sutter was a pioneer in the development and popularization of the split-finger fastball, a devastating pitch that confounded hitters and paved the way for a new generation of relief pitchers. As a dominant closer, Sutter's mastery of his signature pitch and his strong presence on the mound earned him a place among the elite relievers in MLB history. Sutter's lasting impact on the game remains evident, as his innovative approach to pitching continues to inspire and shape the art of closing games.
- Birthplace: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Team: Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals
- Position: Pitcher
- 46
Though perhaps best known for the career-saving surgical procedure that now bears his name, Tommy John was an accomplished and durable pitcher in his own right. Overcoming adversity with grit and determination, John used his exceptional control and on-field intelligence to succeed against the league's top hitters. A beloved figure in the game, John's resilience and success on the mound have made him a symbol of perseverance and a testament to the power of the human spirit.
- Birthplace: Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 47James Lee Kaat (born November 7, 1938), nicknamed "Kitty", is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins (1959ā1973), Chicago White Sox (1973ā1975), Philadelphia Phillies (1976ā1979), New York Yankees (1979ā1980), and St. Louis Cardinals (1980ā1983). His 25-year career spanned four decades. Kaat was an All-Star for three seasons and a Gold Glove winner for sixteen seasons. He was the American League (AL) leader in shutouts (5) in 1962, and the AL leader in wins (25) and complete games (19) in 1966. In addition to his 283 career wins, he has three 20-win seasons. After a brief stint as a pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds under former player Pete Rose, he went on to become a sportscaster and for the next 22 years called games for the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. Following a brief retirement in 2006, Jim Kaat was back in the broadcast booth calling Pool D for the 2009 World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico, called games for NESN in 2009 (as a replacement for Jerry Remy), and currently calls games for the MLB Network as of the 2018 season.He has written a best-selling book, Still Pitching, and has started a sports management company, Southpaw Enterprises, Inc., solely representing pitchers. In 2014, Kaat appeared for the second time as a candidate on the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Golden Era Committee election ballot for possible Hall of Fame consideration for 2015 which required 12 votes. He missed getting inducted in 2015 by 2 votes. None of the candidates on the ballot were elected. The Committee meets and votes on ten selected candidates from the 1947 to 1972 era every three years.
- Birthplace: Zeeland, Michigan, USA
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 48
Jim Bunning was a tireless worker and fierce competitor who excelled at the art of pitching throughout a distinguished MLB career. With a powerful fastball and a deceptive slider, Bunning consistently kept hitters off balance and racked up impressive strikeout totals. A respected figure both on and off the field, Bunning's commitment to the game and his impressive achievements have secured his place among baseball's elite.
- Birthplace: Southgate, Kentucky, USA
- Position: Pitcher
- 49
Don Sutton
Age: 79Donald Howard Sutton (born April 2, 1945 - January 19, 2021) was an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher. He played for 23 total major league seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and California Angels. He won a total of 324 games, 58 of them shutouts and five of them one-hitters, and he is seventh on baseball's all-time strikeout list with 3,574. Sutton was born in Clio, Alabama. He attended high school and community college in Florida before entering professional baseball. After a year in the minor leagues, Sutton joined the Dodgers. Beginning in 1966, he was in the team's starting pitching rotation with Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Claude Osteen. Sixteen of Sutton's 23 MLB seasons were spent with the Dodgers. He registered only one 20-win season, but he earned double-digit wins in almost all of his seasons.- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics
- Position: Pitcher
- 50David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, and current color commentator for the New York Yankees on the YES Network and WPIX. A third round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1981 MLB Draft, he made his MLB debut in 1986 and continued playing until 2003, pitching for five different teams. Cone batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history in 1999. On the final game of the 1991 regular season, he struck out 19 batters, tied for second-most ever in a game. The 1994 Cy Young Award winner, he was a five-time All-Star and led the major leagues in strikeouts each season from 1990ā92. A two-time 20 game-winner, he set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons with 10. He was a member of five World Series championship teams ā 1992 with the Toronto Blue Jays and 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 with the New York Yankees. His 8ā3 career postseason record came over 21 games and 111 innings pitched, with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.80; in World Series play, his ERA was 2.12.Cone is the subject of the book, A Pitcher's Story: Innings With David Cone, by Roger Angell. Cone and Jack Curry co-wrote the autobiography Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher, which was released in May 2019 and made the New York Times Best Seller list shortly after its release.
- Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
- Team: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 51Donald Newcombe (June 14, 1926 ā February 19, 2019), nicknamed "Newk", was an American professional baseball pitcher in Negro league and Major League Baseball who played for the Newark Eagles (1944ā45), Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1949ā1951 and 1954ā58), Cincinnati Reds (1958ā1960), and Cleveland Indians (1960). Newcombe was the first pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Cy Young Awards during his career. This distinction would not be achieved again until 2011, when Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, who was Rookie of the Year in 2006, won the Cy Young and MVP awards. In 1949, he became the first black pitcher to start a World Series game. In 1951, Newcombe was the first black pitcher to win twenty games in one season. In 1956, the inaugural year of the Cy Young Award, he became the first pitcher to win the National League MVP and the Cy Young in the same season.Newcombe was an excellent hitting pitcher who compiled a career batting average of .271 with 15 home runs and was used as a pinch hitter, a rarity for pitchers.
- Birthplace: Madison, New Jersey
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers
- Position: Pitcher
- 52
Jack Morris was a testament to durability and consistency, as he repeatedly delivered strong performances and ate innings throughout his impressive career. Armed with a sharp slider and a versatile repertoire of pitches, Morris was able to outlast and outsmart hitters on his way to becoming one of the most accomplished pitchers of his era. A consummate professional and fierce competitor, Morris's name will forever be linked with the game's greatest hurlers.
- Birthplace: USA, Minnesota, Saint Paul
- Position: Pitcher
- 53Shohei Ohtani (born July 5, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) Pacific League. Ohtani was the first pick of the Fighters in the 2012 draft. He has officially recorded the fastest pitch by a Japanese pitcher and in NPB history at 165 kilometres per hour (102.5 mph). He was named the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year.
- Birthplace: Mizusawa, Iwate
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Position: Pitcher
- 54
Bret Saberhagen's smooth delivery and keen ability to change speeds defined his remarkable career as one of the most consistent pitchers of the 1980s and 1990s. Combining pinpoint accuracy with a diverse pitch repertoire, Saberhagen demonstrated an uncanny ability to keep hitters guessing and off balance. A fierce competitor with a commitment to excellence, Saberhagen's achievements and impact on the mound are a testament to his unwavering dedication to the craft.
- Birthplace: Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA
- Team: Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies
- Position: Pitcher
- 55Vernon Louis "Lefty" Gomez (November 26, 1908 ā February 17, 1989) was an American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, Gomez played in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1930 and 1943 for the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators. Gomez was a five-time World Series champion with the Yankees. He was also known for his colorful personality and humor throughout his career and life. Gomez grew up in California and played for the San Francisco Seals after high school. He made his MLB debut with the Yankees in April 1930. He was selected as an All-Star every year between 1933 and 1939. He sustained an arm injury in 1940. Though he rebounded well in 1941, he pitched his last full season in 1942, then appeared in one game in 1943 before retiring with the Washington Senators. In 1933, Gomez married June O'Dea, who had a brief career as a Broadway actress. After his retirement, he became a popular public speaker. Gomez was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1972. He made an appearance at Yankee Stadium in 1987, when he and Whitey Ford were honored with plaques at the stadium's Monument Park. He died in California in 1989.
- Birthplace: Rodeo, California
- Position: Pitcher
- 56Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean (January 16, 1910 ā July 17, 1974), also known as Jerome Herman Dean, was an American professional baseball pitcher. During Dean's Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Browns. A brash and colorful personality, he is the last National League (NL) pitcher to win 30 games in one season (1934). After his playing career, āOlā Dizā became a popular television sports commentator. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953. When the Cardinals reopened the team Hall of Fame in 2014, Dean was inducted among the inaugural class.
- Position: Pitcher
- 57James Hoyt Wilhelm (July 26, 1922 ā August 23, 2002), nicknamed "Old Sarge", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers between 1952 and 1972. Wilhelm was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, and is one of 83 pitchers enshrined in the Hall. Wilhelm grew up in North Carolina, fought in World War II, and then spent several years in the minor leagues before starting his major league career at the age of 29. He was best known for his knuckleball, which enabled him to have great longevity. He appeared occasionally as a starting pitcher, but pitched mainly as a reliever. Wilhelm won 124 games in relief, which is still the major league record. He was the first pitcher to reach 200 saves, and the first to appear in 1,000 games. Wilhelm was nearly 30 years old when he entered the major leagues, and pitched until he was nearly 50. He retired with one of the lowest career earned run averages, 2.52, in baseball history. After retiring as a player in 1972 Wilhelm held longtime coaching jobs with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He lived in Sarasota, Florida for many years, and died there in 2002.
- Birthplace: Huntersville, North Carolina
- Team: New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox
- Position: Pitcher
- 58Ronald Ames Guidry (; born August 28, 1950), nicknamed "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) left-handed pitcher who played his entire 14-year career for the New York Yankees of the American League (AL). Guidry was also the pitching coach of the Yankees from 2006 to 2007. Guidry's major league career began in 1975. He was a member of World Series-winning Yankees teams in 1977 and 1978. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 1978, winning 25 games and losing only 3. He also won five Gold Glove Awards and appeared in four All-Star games. Guidry served as captain of the Yankees beginning in 1986; he retired from baseball in 1989. In 2003, the Yankees retired Guidry's uniform number (49) and dedicated a plaque to him in Monument Park.
- Birthplace: Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
- Team: New York Yankees
- Position: Pitcher
- 59
Jacob deGrom
Age: 36Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attended Stetson University and played college baseball for the Stetson Hatters. DeGrom began playing baseball as a shortstop and was converted into a pitcher during his junior year at Stetson. The Mets selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with the Mets on May 15, 2014. That year, deGrom was named the National League's (NL) Rookie of the Month twice, and the NL Rookie of the Year. In 2015, 2018, and 2019 deGrom was selected as an MLB All-Star. In 2018, deGrom was the NL ERA leader and won the Cy Young Award. In 2019, he led the NL in strikeouts and won the Cy Young Award for the second year in a row.- Birthplace: DeLeon Springs, Florida
- Team: Texas Rangers
- Position: Pitcher
- 60David Keith Stewart (born February 19, 1957), nicknamed "Smoke", is an American professional baseball executive, pitching coach, sports agent, and retired starting pitcher, and also served as the general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Los Angeles Dodgers' 16th-round selection in the 1975 MLB draft, Stewart's MLB playing career spanned from 1978 through 1995, winning three World Series championships while compiling a career 3.95 earned run average (ERA) and a 168ā129 wonālost record, including winning 20 games in four consecutive seasons. He pitched for the Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays. Stewart was an MLB All-Star and was known for his postseason performance ā winning one World Series Most Valuable Player Award and two League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Awards ā and for staring down batters when pitching to them. After his playing career, he served as a pitching coach for the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and Blue Jays and as an assistant GM. General managers he has worked under include: Sandy Alderson, Kevin Towers, Gord Ash, and Dean Taylor. He later became a sports agent based in San Diego until the Diamondbacks hired him as GM at the end of the 2014 season.
- Birthplace: Oakland, California
- Position: Pitcher
- 61Andrew Eugene Pettitte (; born June 15, 1972) is an American former baseball starting pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the Houston Astros. Pettitte won five World Series championships with the Yankees and was a three-time All-Star. He ranks as MLB's all-time postseason wins leader with 19.Pettitte was drafted by the Yankees organization in 1990, and he signed with them roughly a year later. After debuting in the major leagues in 1995, Pettitte finished third in voting for the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award. In 1996, he led the AL with 21 wins and was runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award, and two years later, he was named the Yankees' Opening Day starter. Pettitte established himself as one of the "Core Four" players who contributed to the Yankees' late-1990s dynasty that produced four championships. Pettitte won the 2001 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in helping his team win the pennant. After spending nine seasons with the Yankeesāa stint in which he won at least 12 games each seasonāPettitte signed with the Astros in 2004. He rejoined the Yankees in 2007 and later that season admitted to using human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury in 2002. Pettitte's second tenure with the team lasted six seasons, interrupted by a one-year retirement in 2011, and also produced a fifth World Series championship. Pettitte's pitching repertoire included a four-seam and cut fastball and several off-speed pitches such as a slider, curveball, and changeup. A left-handed pitcher, he had an exceptional pickoff move to first base, which allowed him to record 98 career pickoffs. Among Yankees pitchers, Pettitte ranks first in strikeouts (2,020), third in wins (219), and tied for first in games started (438). He won the most games of any pitcher in the 2000s. His number 46 was retired by the Yankees on August 23, 2015.
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Team: New York Yankees, Houston Astros
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 62James Rodney Richard (born March 7, 1950) is an American former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career, from 1971 to 1980, with the Houston Astros. After leaving high school, Richard was selected by the Astros as the second overall pick in the first round of the 1969 amateur draft. From the time he made his major league debut with the Astros in 1971 until 1975, Richard had a limited role as an Astros pitcher, throwing no more than 72 innings in a season. In 1975, Richard played his first full season in the majors as a starting pitcher. From 1976 to 1980, he was one of the premier pitchers in the majors, leading the National League twice in strikeouts, once in earned run average, and three times in hits allowed per nine innings, winning at least 18 games a year between 1976 and 1979. On July 30, 1980, Richard suffered a stroke and collapsed while playing a game of catch before an Astros game, and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery to remove a life-threatening blood clot in his neck. His condition brought a sudden end to his major league career at the age of 30. His 313 strikeouts in 1979 remains an Astros franchise record, and he held the team's record for career strikeouts (1,493) until 1987. Two-time National League MVPs Johnny Bench and Dale Murphy both named Richard as the toughest pitcher they ever faced.In 1981, Richard attempted a comeback with the Astros, but this failed because the stroke had slowed down his reaction time and weakened his depth perception. He spent the next few seasons in the minor leagues before being released by the Astros in 1984. After his professional baseball career ended, Richard became involved in unsuccessful business deals and went through two divorces, which led to him being homeless and destitute in 1994. Richard found succor in a local church and later became a Christian minister.
- Birthplace: Vienna, Louisiana
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 63Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. (born July 21, 1980) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the New York Yankees. He also played for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers. Sabathia batted and threw left-handed. During his career, Sabathia was named an All-Star six times and won the Warren Spahn Award three times in a row (2007ā09). In August 2017, he became the all-time American League leader in strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher.
- Birthplace: Vallejo, California
- Team: New York Yankees
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 64Madison Kyle Bumgarner (born August 1, 1989), commonly known by his nickname, "MadBum", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, he pitched for the San Francisco Giants (2009ā19). Bumgarner has won three World Series championships (2010, 2012, 2014) and two Silver Slugger Awards (2014, 2015). He has also been selected to four National League (NL) All-Star teams and has the most strikeouts in franchise history by a Giants left-handed pitcher.
- Birthplace: Hickory, North Carolina
- Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 65Michael Stephen Lolich (born September 12, 1940) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher from 1962 until 1979, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. He is best known for his performance in the 1968 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals when he earned three complete-game victories, including a win over Bob Gibson in the climactic Game 7. Lolich is one of only 22 major league pitchers to have struck out at least 2,800 batters in his career. He is of Croatian descent.
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
- Position: Pitcher
- 66FĆ©lix Abraham Graham HernĆ”ndez GarcĆa (born April 8, 1986), nicknamed "King FĆ©lix", is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2005. On August 15, 2012, he threw the 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball history against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 1ā0 victory at Safeco Field. It was also the first perfect game in Seattle Mariners franchise history. His perfect game remains the most recent in Major League Baseball. On April 23, 2016, Hernandez claimed the record for most strikeouts by a Mariners pitcher when he struck out Rafael Ortega of the Los Angeles Angels for his 2,163rd strikeout as a Mariner pitcher. The previous record of 2,162 strikeouts had been held by Randy Johnson. His 146th win, which occurred on May 9, gave him the club record in that category as well, surpassing Jamie Moyer.
- Birthplace: Valencia, Venezuela
- Team: Seattle Mariners
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 67Harold Newhouser (May 20, 1921 ā November 10, 1998), nicknamed "Prince Hal," was an American professional baseball player. In Major League Baseball (MLB), he pitched 17 seasons on the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, from 1939 through 1955. Newhouser was an All-Star for six seasons, and was considered to be the most dominating pitcher of the World War II era of baseball, winning a pitcher's triple crown for the Tigers in 1945. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. After his retirement from baseball Newhouser was away from the sport for 20 years, serving as a bank vice president. He later worked as a scout for several MLB teams, including the Houston Astros. Angered when they rebuffed his recommendation to draft future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter in favor of Phil Nevin, he quit shortly after.
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
- Position: Pitcher
- 68Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut on August 6, 2010. As a power pitcher, Sale excels at achieving high numbers of strikeouts, and has set a number of strikeout-related records. He bats and throws left-handed, stands 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), and weighs 180 pounds (82 kg).A seven-time MLB All-Star consecutively from 2012 to 2018, Sale is a two-time American League (AL) leader in strikeouts, including in 2015 and 2017. As of 2017, he is MLB's career leader in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.32), and reached 1,500 strikeouts in the second fewest innings pitched (1,290). After reaching 300 strikeouts in a single season for the first time in 2017, he was selected as the AL Sporting News Starting Pitcher of the Year.
- Birthplace: Lakeland, Florida
- Team: Atlanta Braves
- Position: Pitcher
- 69Robert Granville Lemon (September 22, 1920 ā January 11, 2000) was an American right-handed pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). Lemon was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a player in 1976. Lemon was raised in California where he played high school baseball and was the state player of the year in 1938. At the age of 17, Lemon began his professional baseball career in the Cleveland Indians organization, with whom he played for his entire professional career. Lemon was called up to Cleveland's major league team as a utility player in 1941. He then joined the United States Navy during World War II and returned to the Indians in 1946. That season was the first Lemon would play at the pitcher position. The Indians played in the 1948 World Series and were helped by Lemon's two pitching wins as they won the club's first championship since 1920. In the early 1950s, Cleveland had a starting pitching rotation which included Lemon, Bob Feller, Mike Garcia and Early Wynn. During the 1954 season, Lemon had a career-best 23ā7 wināloss record and the Indians set a 154-game season AL-record win mark when they won 111 games before they won the American League (AL) pennant. He was an All-Star for seven consecutive seasons and recorded seven seasons of 20 or more pitching wins in a nine-year period from 1948ā1956. Lemon was a manager with the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. He was named Manager of the Year with the White Sox and Yankees. In 1978, he was fired as manager of the White Sox. He was named Yankees manager one month later and he led the team to a 1978 World Series title. Lemon became the first AL manager to win a World Series after assuming the managerial role in the middle of a season.
- Birthplace: USA, San Bernardino, California
- Position: Manager, Pitcher
- 70James MacGregor Hunter (born June 22, 1964) is a former Major League baseball pitcher who played eight games with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1991 MLB season. The Montreal Expos originally drafted Hunter out of the University of Georgia in 1985. The Brewers bought his contract in the following year. However, he did not make his Major League debut until 1991. He played in a total of eight games, starting in six of those, and posted an 0ā5 record with a 7.26 ERA. Hunter was granted free agency that same October and did not play for another Major League club.
- Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey
- 71Lee Arthur Smith (born December 4, 1957) is an American former baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eight teams. Lee served mostly as a relief pitcher during his career. One of the dominant closers in baseball history, Smith held the major league record for career saves from 1993 until 2006, when San Diego Padres relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman passed his final total of 478. Smith was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on December 9, 2018 as part of the Today's Game Era Committee vote. A native of Jamestown in Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, Smith was scouted by Buck O'Neil and drafted by the Cubs in the 1975 MLB Draft. Smith was an intimidating figure on the pitcher's mound at 6 feet, 6 inches (1.98 m) and 265 pounds (120 kg) with a 95-mile per hour (150 km/h) fastball. In 1991, Smith set a National League (NL) record with 47 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals, and was runner-up for the league's Cy Young Award; it was the second of three times he led the NL in saves, and he later led the American League (AL) once while with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994. He also set the major league career record for games finished (802), and his 1,022 career games pitched were the third-most in history when he retired; he still holds the team records for career saves for the Cubs (180), and he also held the Cardinals record (160) until 2006. After the end of his major league career, Smith spent time working as a pitching instructor at the minor-league level with the San Francisco Giants. He then served as the pitching coach for the South Africa national baseball team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and 2009 World Baseball Classic. Smith is a minor-league roving pitching instructor for the Giants.
- Birthplace: Jamestown, Louisiana
- Team: Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles
- Position: Pitcher
- 72Daniel Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry (; February 7, 1953 ā September 30, 1998) was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals. Notable for his submarine-style pitching delivery and his humorous quotes, he led the American League in saves a record five times (1980, 1982ā85), and retired in 1990 with 244 saves, then the 6th-highest total in major league history. Dan Quisenberry has the lowest ratio of base on balls per innings pitched for any pitcher to pitch in the major leagues since the 1920s, and the lowest ratio for any pitcher to pitch since the 1800s except for Deacon Phillippe and Babe Adams.
- Birthplace: Santa Monica, California
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
- 73Robin Evan Roberts (September 30, 1926 ā May 6, 2010) was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who pitched primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies (1948ā61). He spent the latter part of his career with the Baltimore Orioles (1962ā65), Houston Astros (1965ā66), and Chicago Cubs (1966). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 74Donald Zackary Greinke (born October 21, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Royals selected Greinke in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft, after he won the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award as a high school senior. After playing in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut in 2004. His career was nearly derailed by his battles with depression and anxiety in 2005 and 2006, and he missed most of the 2006 season. He returned in 2007 as a relief pitcher before rejoining the starting rotation in 2008 and developing into one of the top pitchers in the game. In 2009, he appeared in the MLB All-Star Game, led the major leagues in earned run average, and won the American League Cy Young Award.
- Birthplace: Orlando, Florida
- Team: Houston Astros
- Position: Pitcher
- 75Jerome Martin Koosman (born December 23, 1942) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985. Koosman is best known as a member of the Miracle Mets team that won the 1969 World Series.
- Birthplace: Appleton, Minnesota, USA
- Position: Pitcher
- 76Miguel Ćngel Cuellar Santana (May 8, 1937 ā April 2, 2010) [KWAY-ar] was a Cuban left-handed starting pitcher who spent fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and California Angels. His best years were spent with the Orioles, helping them capture five American League East Division titles, three consecutive American League (AL) pennants and the 1970 World Series Championship. He shared the AL Cy Young Award in 1969 and won 20-or-more games in a season four times from 1969 to 1974. He was a part of the last starting rotation to feature four pitchers with at least twenty victories each in one season. Cuellar, nicknamed Crazy Horse while with the Orioles, ranks among Baltimore's top five career leaders in wins (143), strikeouts (1,011), shutouts (30) and innings pitched (2,028), and trails only Dave McNally among left-handers in wins and shutouts.
- Birthplace: Santa Clara, Cuba
- Team: St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, California Angels
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 77Roy Oswalt (; born August 29, 1977) is a former American professional baseball pitcher who played for the majority of his career with the Houston Astros. He also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Texas Rangers, and the Colorado Rockies. Oswalt was selected by the Astros in the 1996 MLB draft. He made his major league debut with the club in 2001 and finished with a wināloss record of 14ā3. He was a back-to-back 20-game winner in 2004 and 2005. He helped the Astros to their first World Series appearance in 2005, and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2005 National League Championship Series (NLCS). When he left the Astros in 2010 his wins (143) and strikeout total (1,593) was second in franchise history to Joe Niekro (144) and Nolan Ryan (1,866). He is a three-time All-Star, selected from 2005 to 2007. As of the 2012 season his career strikeout total was in the top 100 all-time. As a member of Team USA, Oswalt won a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Birthplace: Weir, Mississippi
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 78JosĆ© Dennis MartĆnez Ortiz (born May 14, 1955), nicknamed "El Presidente" (The President), is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first Nicaraguan to play in the majors.
- Birthplace: Granada, Nicaragua
- Position: Pitcher
- 79Trevor William Hoffman (born October 13, 1967) is an American former baseball relief pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1993 to 2010. A long-time closer, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, including more than 15 years for the Padres. He was the major leagues' first player to reach the 500- and 600-save milestones, and was the all-time saves leader from 2006 until 2011. Hoffman was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2018. He currently serves as senior advisor for baseball operations for the Padres. Hoffman played shortstop collegiately at the University of Arizona and was drafted in the 11th round by the Cincinnati Reds. After not having much success batting, Hoffman was converted to a pitcher, as he was able to throw up to 95 miles per hour (mph). The Marlins acquired him in the 1992 expansion draft, and he pitched in Florida until he was traded to the Padres mid-season in 1993 in a deal that sent star Gary Sheffield to the Marlins. Hoffman recorded 20 saves in 1994 in his first season as Padres closer, and in the following years, he became the face of the franchise after Tony Gwynn retired. He collected at least 30 saves each year for the next 14 years, except for 2003 when he missed most of the year recovering from shoulder surgery. After San Diego did not re-sign him following the 2008 season, Hoffman pitched for two years with the Brewers before retiring after the 2010 season. Hoffman was selected for the All-Star team seven times, and twice he was the runner-up for the National League (NL) Cy Young Award, given annually to the top pitcher in the league. He retired with MLB records of fifteen 20-save seasons, fourteen 30-save seasons (including eight consecutive), and nine 40-save seasons (including two streaks of four consecutive). He also retired with the highest career strikeout rate of any reliever. Though he entered the majors with a powerful fastball, an injury after the 1994 season permanently sapped Hoffman's fastball velocity and forced him to reinvent his pitching style; he subsequently developed one of the best changeups in baseball. Hoffman's entrance at home games accompanied by the song "Hells Bells" was popular with fans. After retiring as a player, Hoffman returned to the Padres as a special assistant in the front office. In 2014, he became the team's pitching coordinator at their upper minor league levels, which included working with the Padres general manager. The following year, his role expanded to overseeing pitching instruction at all levels in the minors.
- Birthplace: Bellflower, California, USA
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
- 80Samuel Edward Thomas McDowell (born September 21, 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, with the first 11 coming for the Cleveland Indians before a 1971 trade to the San Francisco Giants, followed by stints with the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates. A six-time All-Star (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971), McDowell was primarily a starting pitcher during his major league career. Tall (6 feet, 5 inches) and powerful, his left-handed fastball was delivered with an unusually calm pitching motion which led to his memorable nickname, Sudden Sam. His strikeout prowess was sometimes nullified by periodic control problems.
- Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Position: Pitcher
- 81Early Wynn Jr. (January 6, 1920 ā April 4, 1999), nicknamed "Gus", was an American professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox, during his 23-year MLB career. Wynn was identified as one of the most intimidating pitchers in the game, having combined his powerful fastball with a hard attitude toward batters. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Wynn signed with the Senators at the age of 17, deciding to forego completing his high school education, in pursuit of a baseball career. He spent a couple of seasons in Minor League Baseball (MiLB), achieving a brief MLB stint in 1939. Wynn returned to the big leagues in 1941, pitching his first full MLB season in 1942. Wynn missed all of 1945 and a portion of the 1946 season, while serving in the United States Army during the latter part of World War II. Wynn was a member of one of baseball's best pitching rotations, along with Bob Feller, Mike Garcia, and Bob Lemon, while with the Indians in the mid-1950s. He won the 1959 Cy Young Award, beginning to rely more heavily on the knuckleball, as the velocity of his pitches declined. Wynn retired following the 1963 season. He finished with exactly 300 career wins, having spent the last several months of his career in pursuit of that win. Wynn served as a coach and broadcaster in the big leagues, after his retirement as a player. In 1999, he was included on The Sporting News list of the 100 greatest players in baseball history. Wynn died that year in an assisted living facility following heart-related problems and a stroke.
- Birthplace: Hartford, Alabama
- Team: Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians
- Position: Pitcher
- 82Dennis Dale McLain (born March 29, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, McLain became the most recent Major League Baseball pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season (with a record of 31ā6) ā a feat accomplished by only 11 players in the 20th century.As a player, McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. His stellar performance at the beginning of his major league career included two Cy Young awards and an American League MVP award. His success in baseball stood in marked contrast to his personal life, where he associated with organized crime and was eventually convicted on charges of embezzlement, after which he served time in prison.
- Birthplace: Markham, Illinois
- Team: Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Washington Senators
- Position: Pitcher
- 83Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle (born July 22, 1944) is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1967 through 1982. He was a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League (AL) Cy Young Award in 1977. He led the American League (AL) in saves in 1972 and 1976. With the Yankees, Lyle was a member of the World Series champions in 1977 and 1978, both over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lyle co-authored, with Peter Golenbock, The Bronx Zoo, a 1979 tell-all book which chronicled the dissension within the Yankees in its World Series Championship seasons of 1977 and 1978. From 1998ā2012, Lyle served as manager of the Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
- Birthplace: DuBois, Pennsylvania
- Team: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
- 84Charles Herbert "Red" Ruffing (May 3, 1905 ā February 17, 1986) was an American professional baseball player. A pitcher, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1924 through 1947. He played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox. Ruffing is most remembered for his time with the highly successful Yankees teams of the 1930s and 1940s. Ruffing dropped out of school as a child to work in a coal mine in his native Illinois. He played for the mine's company baseball team as an outfielder and first baseman. After he lost four toes from his left foot in a mining accident, he became unable to run in the field, and switched to pitching. He played in minor league baseball in 1923 and 1924 before making his MLB debut with the Red Sox. After struggling with Boston, pitching to a 36ā96 wināloss record, the Red Sox traded Ruffing to the Yankees, where he became successful, pitching as the Yankees' ace through 1946. After one season with the White Sox, Ruffing retired from pitching to work in coaching. He served as a bullpen coach for the White Sox, a pitching coach for the New York Mets, and a scout and minor league instructor for the Cleveland Indians. Ruffing was a member of six World Series championship teams with the Yankees. He also appeared in six MLB All-Star Games. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967. The Yankees dedicated a plaque to Ruffing in Monument Park in 2004.
- Birthplace: Granville Township, Granville, Illinois
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 85James Evan Perry, Jr. (born October 30, 1935) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1959ā1975 for four teams. During a 17-year baseball career, Perry compiled 215 wins, 1,576 strikeouts, and a 3.45 earned run average.
- Birthplace: Williamston, North Carolina
- Team: Oakland Athletics , Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 86Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw, Jr. (August 30, 1944 ā January 5, 2004) was an American professional baseball relief pitcher and the father of country music singer and actor Tim McGraw. As a Major League Baseball (MLB) player, Tug McGraw is often remembered for coining the phrase, "Ya Gotta Believe", which became a popular rallying cry for the New York Mets teams of the mid-60s and early 70s, and for recording the final out, via a strikeout of the Kansas City Royals' Willie Wilson, in the 1980 World Series, thereby bringing the Philadelphia Phillies their first world championship. He was the last active big league player to have played under legendary manager Casey Stengel.
- Birthplace: Martinez, California, USA
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
- 87Wilmer Dean Chance (June 1, 1941 ā October 11, 2015) was an American professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, he played in 11 Major League Baseball seasons for the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers. With a touch of wildness and the habit of never looking at home plate once he received the sign from his catcher, Chance would turn his back fully towards the hitter in mid-windup before spinning and unleashing a good fastball, sinker or sidearm curveball.In 1964, Chance became at the time the youngest pitcher to win the Cy Young Award when, as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, he led the American League in wins (20), innings pitched (278ā1ā3) and earned run average (1.65āas of 2015, a franchise record) and was third in the A.L. in strikeouts. He pitched 11 shutouts (also a franchise record as of 2015) that season, winning five of those by a 1ā0 score. At the time, only one Cy Young Award was given in all of MLB; since 1967, separate awards have been given in the AL and the National League. Chance's Cy Young Award was the third in a string of five consecutive Cy Young Awards won by a pitcher from a Los Angeles-based team. The others were won by Dodger pitchers: Don Drysdale in 1962 and Sandy Koufax in 1963, 1965, and 1966.
- Birthplace: Wooster, Ohio
- Team: New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
- Position: Pitcher
- 88Frank John Viola Jr. (born April 19, 1960) is an American former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins (1982ā1989), New York Mets (1989ā1991), Boston Red Sox (1992ā1994), Cincinnati Reds (1995), and Toronto Blue Jays (1996). A three-time All-Star, he was named World Series MVP with the Twins in 1987 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1988. Long-time Tigers manager Sparky Anderson said of Viola, "...He's an artist; I love watching him work..." He is the pitching coach of the High Point Rockers. He batted and threw left-handed, and he was nicknamed "Sweet Music" ā a nickname he picked up after a Minnesota sports writer declared that when Viola pitched, there was "Sweet Music" in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The nickname was a play on the fact that his last name is also a name of a musical instrument, although pronounced differently. A fan began displaying a banner bearing the phrase in the outfield's upper deck whenever Viola pitched. Twins fans considered the banner to be a good luck charm. The banner is now the property of the Minnesota Historical Society. It was again displayed when Viola was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame. Frank was honored as a member of the Twins' "All Dome" team in 2009.
- Birthplace: East Meadow, New York
- Team: Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins
- Position: Pitcher
- 89David Lee Wells (born May 20, 1963), nicknamed "Boomer", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the 15th perfect game in baseball history. He is tied only with Kenny Lofton for appearing in the post-season with six teams. Wells is currently a broadcaster on MLB on TBS and the host of The Cheap Seats on FOXSports.com.
- Birthplace: USA, California, Torrance
- Position: Pitcher
- 90Don James Larsen (August 7, 1929 - January 1, 2020) was an American retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. During a 15-year MLB career, he pitched from 1953 to 1967 for seven different teams. Larsen pitched for the St. Louis Browns / Baltimore Orioles (1953ā54; 1965), New York Yankees (1955ā59), Kansas City Athletics (1960ā1961), Chicago White Sox (1961), San Francisco Giants (1962ā64), Houston Colt .45's / Houston Astros (1964ā65), and Chicago Cubs (1967). Larsen pitched the sixth perfect game in MLB history, doing so in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. It is the only no-hitter and perfect game in World Series history and is one of only two no hitters in MLB postseason history (the other Roy Halladay's in 2010). He won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award and Babe Ruth Award in recognition of his 1956 postseason.
- Birthplace: Michigan City, Indiana, USA
- Position: Pitcher
- 91Adam Parrish Wainwright (born August 30, 1981) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Atlanta Braves selected him 29th overall in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia. His performance in the minor leagues brought him notice as one of the Braves' top pitching prospects. The Braves traded him to the Cardinals after the 2003 season, receiving outfielder J. D. Drew in a deal which has since been considered lopsided in favor of the Cardinals. Wainwright made his MLB debut on September 11, 2005, against the New York Mets. After spending his first full MLB season as a relief pitcher, Wainwright briefly assumed closer duties, saving the series-clinching games of both the 2006 National League Championship Series and World Series. The next season, he returned to starting pitching, a role in which he has since remained, except for 2011, which he missed due to Tommy John surgery. He emerged as an ace as he led the National League multiple times in wins, innings pitched, and games started. He also has multiple top-ten finishes in earned run average, strikeouts, walks plus hits per inning pitched, and complete games. In 2014, he became the first pitcher in Major League history to post nine of his first 18 starts with seven innings pitched and no runs allowed. In his career, Wainwright has won more than 150 games, three All-Star selections, two Rawlings Gold Glove Awards and finished in the top three in the Cy Young Award balloting four times. With 1,705 strikeouts in his career to date, Wainwright is second in Cardinals' history to Bob Gibson (3,117) in Cardinals franchise history in strikeouts. He runs a fantasy football league where the registration fees go to charity. He is currently signed through 2019.
- Birthplace: Brunswick, Georgia
- Team: St. Louis Cardinals
- Position: Pitcher
- 92Carl Owen Hubbell (June 22, 1903 ā November 21, 1988), nicknamed "The Meal Ticket" and "King Carl", was an American baseball player. He stood 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg). He was a member of the New York Giants in the National League from 1928 to 1943. He remained on the team's payroll for the rest of his life, long after their move to San Francisco. Twice voted the National League's Most Valuable Player, Hubbell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. During 1936 and 1937, Hubbell set the major league record for consecutive wins by a pitcher with 24. He is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the 1934 All-Star Game, when he struck out five future Hall of Famers, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin, in succession. Hubbell's primary pitch was the screwball.
- Position: Pitcher
- 93William Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Marion, Virginia), nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched for the Houston Astros (1995ā2003), Philadelphia Phillies (2004ā2005), New York Mets (2006ā2009), Boston Red Sox (2009), and Atlanta Braves (2010). Wagner is one of only six major league relief pitchers to accumulate at least 400 career saves. A left-handed batter and thrower, Wagner stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighs 180 pounds (82 kg). A natural-born right-hander, Wagner learned to throw left-handed after fracturing his arm twice in his youth in Marion. His 11.9 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched ratio (K/9) is the highest of any major league pitcher with at least 800 innings pitched. He was a seven-time All-Star and the 1999 National League (NL) Rolaids Relief Man Award winner. He finished in the top ten in saves in the NL ten times, and in the top ten in games finished nine times.
- Birthplace: Tannersville, Virginia, Virginia
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
- 94Adrian "Addie" Joss (April 12, 1880 ā April 14, 1911), nicknamed "The Human Hairpin," was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched for the Cleveland Bronchos, later known as the Naps, between 1902 and 1910. Joss, who was 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg), pitched the fourth perfect game in baseball history (which, additionally, was only the second of the modern era). His 1.89 career earned run average (ERA) is the second-lowest in MLB history, behind Ed Walsh. Joss was born and raised in Wisconsin, where he attended St. Mary's College (now part of Wyalusing Academy) in Prairie du Chien and the University of Wisconsin. He played baseball at St. Mary's and then played in a semipro league where he caught the attention of Connie Mack. Joss did not sign with Mack's team, but he attracted further major league interest after winning 19 games in 1900 for the Toledo Mud Hens. Joss had another strong season for Toledo in 1901. After an offseason contract dispute between Joss, Toledo and Cleveland, he debuted with the Cleveland club in April 1902. Joss led the league in shutouts that year. By 1905, Joss had completed the first of his four consecutive 20-win seasons. Off the field, Joss worked as a newspaper sportswriter from 1906 until his death. In 1908, he pitched a perfect game during a tight pennant race that saw Cleveland finish a half-game out of first place; it was the closest that Joss came to a World Series berth. The 1910 season was his last, and Joss missed most of the year due to injury. In April 1911, Joss became ill and he died the same month due to tuberculous meningitis. He finished his career with 160 wins, 234 complete games, 45 shutouts and 920 strikeouts. Though Joss played only nine seasons and missed significant playing time due to various ailments, the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors passed a special resolution for Joss in 1977 which waived the typical ten-year minimum playing career for Hall of Fame eligibility. He was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1978.
- Birthplace: Woodland, Dodge County, Wisconsin, Wisconsin
- Position: Pitcher
- 95Michael Grant "Iron Mike" Marshall (born January 15, 1943) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in 1967 and from 1969 through 1981 for nine different teams. Marshall won the National League Cy Young Award in 1974 and was a two time All-Star selection.
- Birthplace: Adrian, Michigan
- Team: New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Position: Pitcher
- 96Curtis Thomas Simmons (born May 19, 1929) was an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1947 to 1950 and 1952 to 1967. Simmons was one of the twin anchors of the starting rotation of the "Whiz Kids", the Philadelphia Phillies' 1950 National League (NL) championship team.
- Birthplace: Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania
- Team: Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, California Angels
- Position: Pitcher
- 97Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown (October 19, 1876 ā February 14, 1948), nicknamed Three Finger or Miner, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher and manager during the first two decades of the 20th century (known as the "dead-ball era"). Due to a farm-machinery accident in his youth (April 17, 1888), Brown lost parts of two fingers on his right hand, and in the process gained a colorful nickname. He turned this handicap into an advantage by learning how to grip a baseball in a way that resulted in an exceptional curveball, which broke radically before reaching the plate. With this technique he became one of the elite pitchers of his era. Brown was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949.
- Position: Pitcher
- 98This article is about the 1920s baseball pitcher. For Jim "Mudcat" Grant, see Mudcat Grant.James Ronald Grant (August 4, 1894 ā November 30, 1985) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1923 season. Listed at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m), 180 lb., Grant batted right-handed and threw left-handed. He was born in Coalville, Iowa. Grant, who played most of his career in the Minor leagues, pitched from 1916 to 1923 for the Des Moines Boosters and Sioux City Packers of the defunct Western League before joining the Phillies. In two relief appearances for Philadelphia, Grant posted a 13.50 earned run average in 4.0 innings of work, giving up eight runs (two unearned) on 10 hits and four walks. He did not get a decision and was not credited with a save or a strikeout. Following his majors stint, Grant pitched for the Waterloo Hawks (1926ā1928) and Shreveport Sports (1930), before returning to Des Moines (now the Demons) for three and a half seasons (1930ā1933). He collected a 106ā61 record in ten minor league seasons. Grant died in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 91.
- Birthplace: Coalville, Iowa
- 99Howard Ellsworth "Smoky Joe" Wood (October 25, 1889 ā July 27, 1985) was a professional baseball player for 14 years. He played for the Boston Red Sox from 1908 to 1915, where he was primarily a pitcher, and for the Cleveland Indians from 1917 to 1922, where he was primarily an outfielder. Wood is one of only 13 pitchers to win 30 or more games in one season (going 34ā5 in 1912) since 1900.
- Position: Outfielder, Pitcher
- 100Edward Stewart Plank (August 31, 1875 ā February 24, 1926), nicknamed "Gettysburg Eddie", was an American professional baseball player. A pitcher, Plank played in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901 through 1914, the St. Louis Terriers in 1915, and the St. Louis Browns in 1916 and 1917. Plank was the first left-handed pitcher to win 200 games and then 300 games, and now ranks third in all-time wins among left-handers with 326 career victories (eleventh all time) and first all-time in career shutouts by a left-handed pitcher with 66. Philadelphia went to the World Series five times while Plank played there, but he sat out the 1910 World Series due to an injury. Plank had only a 1.32 earned run average (ERA) in his World Series career, but he was unlucky, with a 2ā5 wināloss record in those games. Plank died of a stroke in 1926. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.
- Birthplace: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Position: Pitcher
- 101Waite Charles Hoyt (September 9, 1899 ā August 25, 1984) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, one of the dominant pitchers of the 1920s, and the most successful pitcher for the New York Yankees during that decade. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Position: Pitcher
- 102Frank Daryl Tanana (born July 3, 1953) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He was the California Angels' first-round draft pick in 1971. From 1973 to 1993, he pitched for six teams: the Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees. In his prime, Tanana was known for a 100+ MPH fastball, which he abruptly lost when he injured his arm. However, he was able to develop an assortment of off-speed pitches (including an excellent curveball) and continue his career. Throughout his career, he accumulated 34 shutouts, 4,000 innings pitched, and nearly 2,800 strikeouts. He is one of only 23 major league pitchers to have struck out at least 2,700 batters in his career.
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
- Position: Pitcher
- 103John Franklin Sain (September 25, 1917 ā November 7, 2006) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who was best known for teaming with left-hander Warren Spahn on the Boston Braves teams from 1946 to 1951. He was the runner-up for the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in the Braves' pennant-winning season of 1948, after leading the National League in wins, complete games and innings pitched. He later became further well known as one of the top pitching coaches in the majors.
- Birthplace: Havana, Arkansas
- Position: Pitcher
- 104Charles Albert "Chief" Bender (May 5, 1884 ā May 22, 1954) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball during the 1910s and 1920s. In 1911, Bender tied a record by pitching three complete games in a single World Series. He finished his career with a win-loss record of 212-127, for a .625 winning percentage and a career 2.46 earned run average (ERA). After his major league playing career, Bender filled multiple baseball roles, including service as a major league coach, minor league manager and player-manager, college manager and professional scout. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953 and he died not long before his induction ceremony the following year.
- Birthplace: Brainerd, Minnesota
- Position: Pitcher
- 105Elwin Charles Roe (February 26, 1916 ā November 9, 2008), known as Preacher Roe, was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals (1938), Pittsburgh Pirates (1944ā47), and Brooklyn Dodgers (1948ā54).
- Birthplace: Ash Flat, Arkansas
- Position: Pitcher
- 106John Dwight Chesbro (June 5, 1874 ā November 6, 1931) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. Nicknamed "Happy Jack", Chesbro played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1899ā1902), the New York Highlanders (1903ā1909), and the Boston Red Sox (1909). Chesbro finished his career with a win-loss record of 198-132, an earned run average of 2.68, and 1,265 strikeouts. His 41 wins during the 1904 season remains an American League record. Though some pitchers have won more games in some seasons prior to 1901, historians demarcating 1901 as the beginning of 'modern-era' major league baseball refer to and credit Jack Chesbro and his 1904 win-total as the modern era major league record and its holder. Some view Chesbro's 41 wins in a season as an unbreakable record.Chesbro's 1904 pitching totals of 51 games started and 48 complete games also fall into the same historical category as his 1904 wins total, as they are all-time American League single-season records. These 1904 single-season totals for games started and complete games, like the wins total, are also the most recorded by a pitcher in either the American or National League since the beginning of the twentieth century and the co-existence of the American and National Leagues as major leagues. If one demarcates 1901 as the beginning of major league baseball's modern era, Jack Chesbro holds the modern era major league historical single-season records for wins by a pitcher (41), games started by a pitcher (51), and complete games pitched (48). Chesbro was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Veterans Committee, though he had received little consideration from the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Some baseball historians consider the 1946 election a mistake, and believe that Chesbro was elected solely on the basis of his 1904 season.
- Birthplace: North Adams, Massachusetts
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 107James Edward Key (born April 22, 1961) is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays (1984ā1992), New York Yankees (1993ā1996), and Baltimore Orioles (1997ā1998). His best personal years were in 1987, when he posted a 17ā8 record with a league-leading 2.76 ERA, and in 1993, when he went 18ā6 with a 3.00 ERA and 173 strikeouts. With the Blue Jays, he won the 1992 World Series and with the Yankees, he won the 1996 World Series, both over the Atlanta Braves.
- Birthplace: Huntsville, Alabama
- Position: Pitcher
- 108Wilbur Forrester Wood, Jr. (born October 22, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for seventeen years, most notably with the Chicago White Sox where he earned 163 of his 164 wins. A knuckleball specialist, he threw left-handed, and batted right-handed.
- Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Position: Pitcher
- 109Timothy Stephen Wakefield (August 2, 1966 ā October 1, 2023) was an American professional baseball knuckleball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Wakefield began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates but is most remembered for his 17-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox, from 1995 until his retirement in 2012 as the longest-serving player on the team. Wakefield was the oldest active player in the major leagues when he retired.
- Birthplace: Melbourne, Florida
- Team: Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 110John Joseph Podres (September 30, 1932 ā January 13, 2008) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers. He is perhaps best remembered for being named the Most Valuable Player of the 1955 World Series, pitching a shutout in Game 7 against the New York Yankees to help the Brooklyn Dodgers win their only World Series title before the team moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season. He led the National League in earned run average and shutouts in 1957, and in winning percentage in 1961. He was of Lithuanian-Polish descent.
- Birthplace: Witherbee, New York
- Position: Pitcher
- 111Timothy Adam Hudson (born July 14, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher of Major League Baseball (MLB). After spending his college years at Chattahoochee Valley Community College and Auburn University, Hudson played in the major leagues for the Oakland Athletics (1999ā2004), the Atlanta Braves (2005ā13) and the San Francisco Giants (2014ā15). With the Giants, he won the 2014 World Series over the Kansas City Royals. During his 17-season career, Hudson established himself as one of baseball's most consistent pitchers and until 2014 had never had a season where he suffered more losses than wins. Hudson was also named an All-Star four times: twice with Oakland, once with Atlanta, and once with San Francisco. Before retiring in 2015, Hudson was the winningest active Major League pitcher, as well as one of four active pitchers with at least 200 career wins. With a win against the Oakland A's on July 26, 2015, he has won a game against every team in the majors, the 15th pitcher to do so. Hudson is one of twenty-one pitchers in Major League history to win at least 200 games, strikeout 2,000 batters and have a win-loss percentage above 0.600. Of those twenty-one, fourteen are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: Columbus, Georgia
- Team: Atlanta Braves
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 112Bartolo ColĆ³n (born May 24, 1973) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for 11 different Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Cleveland Indians (1997ā2002), Montreal Expos (2002), Chicago White Sox (2003, 2009), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004ā2007), Boston Red Sox (2008), New York Yankees (2011), Oakland Athletics (2012ā2013), New York Mets (2014ā2016), Atlanta Braves (2017), Minnesota Twins (2017), and Texas Rangers (2018). ColĆ³n has also played for the Ćguilas CibaeƱas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (Dominican Winter League) and the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. He holds the record for most career wins by a Latin American-born pitcher.
- Birthplace: Altamira, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- Team: Karachi Monarchs
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 113Johan Alexander Santana Araque (; born March 13, 1979) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball starting pitcher. Santana pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins from 2000 to 2007 and for the New York Mets from 2008 to 2012, sidelined by injury challenges since the 2012 season. A two-time Cy Young Award winner with the Twins, Santana is a four-time All-Star and earned a pitching triple crown in 2006. On June 1, 2012, Santana threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals, which is to date the only no-hitter in New York Mets history.
- Birthplace: MĆ©rida, Venezuela
- Team: New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 114George Edward "Rube" Waddell (October 13, 1876 ā April 1, 1914) was an American southpaw pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). In a career spanning 13 years, he played for the Louisville Colonels (1897, 1899), Pittsburgh Pirates (1900ā01) and Chicago Orphans (1901) in the National League, and the Philadelphia Athletics (1902ā07) and St. Louis Browns (1908ā10) in the American League. Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Waddell was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Waddell was a remarkably dominant strikeout pitcher in an era when batters mostly slapped at the ball to get singles. He had an excellent fastball, a sharp-breaking curveball, a screwball, and superb control (his strikeout-to-walk ratio was almost 3-to-1). He led the major leagues in strikeouts for six consecutive years.
- Position: Pitcher
- 115Charles Arthur "Dazzy" Vance (March 4, 1891 ā February 16, 1961) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a pitcher for five different franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB) in a career that spanned twenty years. Known for his impressive fastball, Vance was the only pitcher to lead the National League in strikeouts seven consecutive seasons. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.
- Birthplace: Orient, Orient Township, Iowa
- Position: Pitcher
- 116Allie Pierce Reynolds (February 10, 1917 ā December 26, 1994) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. Reynolds pitched 13 years for the Cleveland Indians (1942ā46) and New York Yankees (1947ā54). A member of the Creek nation, Reynolds was nicknamed "Superchief". Reynolds attended Capitol Hill High School and the Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College (A&M), where he was a multi-sport athlete. Henry Iba, baseball coach of the Oklahoma A&M baseball team, discovered Reynolds while he was practicing his javelin throws. After excelling at baseball and American football at Oklahoma A&M, Reynolds turned to professional baseball. During his MLB career, Reynolds had a 182ā107 wināloss record, 3.30 earned run average, and 1,423 strikeouts. He was an All-Star and World Series champion for six seasons. In 1951, he won the Hickok Belt as the top American professional athlete of the year. He also has received consideration for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, though he has not been elected.
- Birthplace: Bethany, Oklahoma
- Position: Pitcher
- 117Walter William Pierce (April 2, 1927 ā July 31, 2015) was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball between 1945 and 1964 who played most of his career for the Chicago White Sox. He was the team's star pitcher in the decade from 1952 to 1961, when they posted the third best record in the major leagues, and received the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award for the American League (AL) in 1956 and 1957 after being runner-up in both 1953 and 1955. A seven-time All-Star, he led the American League (AL) in complete games three times despite his slight build, and in wins, earned run average (ERA) and strikeouts once each. He pitched four one-hitters and seven two-hitters in his career, and on June 27, 1958 came within one batter of becoming the first left-hander in 78 years to throw a perfect game. He was one of the principal figures in Chicago's fierce rivalry with the New York Yankees; particularly notable were his matchups with Whitey Ford, with the two left-handers opposing one another as starters 14 times from 1955 to 1960. Pierce's record suffered from pitching so much against New York ā who he faced more often than any other team ā when the Yankees dynasty was at its peak; but although his career record against New York was only 25ā37, that was still slightly better than the 27ā41 mark compiled by National League (NL) championship teams over 11 World Series against the Yankees during the same period. After joining the San Francisco Giants in 1962, Pierce played a pivotal role in helping them win the NL pennant, going 12ā0 in home games and getting a three-hit shutout and a save in a three-game playoff against the Los Angeles Dodgers to clinch the title. His 1,999 career strikeouts were the fifth most by a left-hander when he retired, and his AL total of 1,842 ranked ninth in league history. He also ranked tenth among left-handers in career wins (211), sixth in games started (432) and games pitched (585), eighth in shutouts (38) and ninth in innings pitched (3,306ā ). He holds the White Sox franchise record for career strikeouts (1,796), and his club marks of 186 wins, 2,931 innings and 390 starts are team records for a left-hander. The White Sox retired his number 19 in 1987, and unveiled a statue in his honor at U.S. Cellular Field in 2007; he was selected to the White Sox All-Century Team in 2000.
- Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 118David Andrew Stieb (; born July 22, 1957) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. A seven-time All-Star, he also won The Sporting News' Pitcher of the Year Award in 1982. Stieb won 140 games in the 1980s, the second-highest total by a pitcher in that decade, behind only Jack Morris. Dave Stieb was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
- Birthplace: Santa Ana, California
- Position: Pitcher
- 119Mark Alan Buehrle (; born March 23, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Chicago White Sox and started the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011. He also pitched for the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays. Buehrle pitched 200 innings in 14 consecutive seasons (2001ā2014), tying Hall-of-Famers Greg Maddux, Phil Niekro, and Christy Mathewson. He recorded at least ten wins in 15 straight seasons.Buehrle pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on April 18, 2007, surrendering just one walk to Sammy Sosa who was then picked off at first base. Two seasons later, Buehrle pitched the 18th perfect game in baseball history against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23, 2009. In White Sox pitching history, Buehrle is fifth all-time in strikeouts, sixth in games started, and eighth in wins and innings pitched.
- Birthplace: Saint Charles, Missouri
- Team: Miami Marlins
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
- 120David Taylor Price (born August 26, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher. Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in September 2008. Heās played for the Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. In his second full season, he was named the American League starter for the 2010 All-Star Game and finished second in the voting for the 2010 Cy Young Award. He won the award in 2012.
- Birthplace: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays
- Position: Pitcher
