3,000 strikeout club

A man in a white baseball jersey and a dark baseball cap with "W" on it.
Walter Johnson was the only pitcher in Major League Baseball with 3,000 strikeouts for 50 years.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 3,000 strikeout club is a term applied to the group of pitchers who have struck out 3,000 or more batters in their careers. Walter Johnson was the first to reach 3,000 and was the only pitcher at this milestone for 50 years until Bob Gibson recorded his 3,000th strikeout in 1974. In total, 16 pitchers have reached 3,000 strikeouts with John Smoltz, the most recent member, joining in 2008.[1] Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson are the only left-handed pitchers in this group.[2][3] Randy Johnson was also the pitcher quickest to 3,000 strikeouts, taking fewer games pitched or innings pitched than any other pitcher.[4] César Gerónimo is the only player struck out by two different pitchers for their 3,000th strikeout, first by Gibson in 1974 and then Nolan Ryan in 1980.[5] The Chicago Cubs are one of two franchises to see multiple pitchers record their 3,000th strikeout on their roster, first Ferguson Jenkins in 1982 and then Greg Maddux in 2005. The Minnesota Twins also had two pitchers reach the milestone with their team. Walter Johnson was the first, joining the club while the franchise was called the Washington Senators, then Bert Blyleven joined in 1986 with the team in Minnesota. Ten 3,000 strikeout pitchers are also members of the 300 win club.[6]

Membership in the 3,000 strikeout club is often described as a guarantee of eventual entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame.[7][8] Nine of the ten eligible members of the 3,000 strikeout club have been elected to the Hall. Eligibility requires that a player has "been retired five seasons" or deceased for at least 6 months,[9] disqualifying six living players who have been active within the past five seasons. Bert Blyleven is the only currently eligible member of this club not in the Hall of Fame; he fell 5 votes short of the 405 votes needed for induction in 2010, his 13th year on the ballot.[10] Seven pitchers from this club were named amongst the one hundred greatest players in MLB history as part of the All-Century Team, four of whom were eventually voted as starters for the team by fan vote.[11][12]

Contents

Key

Player Name of the player
Strikeouts Career strikeouts
IP Career innings pitched
Date Date of the pitcher's 3,000th strikeout
Batter The batter struck out for the pitcher's 3,000th strikeout
Team The pitcher's team for his 3,000th strikeout
Seasons The seasons this player played in the major leagues
† Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Club members

A man in a white baseball jersey with "ASTROS" on the chest and orange and yellow stripes on his shoulders pitches a baseball with his right hand.
Nolan Ryan is Major League Baseball's all-time strikeout leader at 5,714.
A man in a gray baseball uniform with "ARIZONA" on the chest, a red baseball cap, and a tan baseball glove on his right hand with "50" on its side pitches a baseball with his left hand.
Randy Johnson, second all-time in strikeouts, is one of only two left-handed pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts in MLB history.
Player Strikeouts IP Date Batter Team Seasons Ref
Ryan, NolanNolan Ryan† 5,714 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,386 01980-07-04July 4, 1980[5] Gerónimo, CésarCésar Gerónimo[5] Houston Astros 1966–1993 [13]
Johnson, RandyRandy Johnson 4,875 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","4,1351⁄3 02000-09-10September 10, 2000[5] Lowell, MikeMike Lowell[5] Arizona Diamondbacks 1988–2009 [3]
Clemens, RogerRoger Clemens 4,672 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","4,9162⁄3 01998-07-05July 5, 1998[5] Winn, RandyRandy Winn[5] Toronto Blue Jays 1984–2007 [14]
Carlton, SteveSteve Carlton† 4,136 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,2171⁄3 01981-04-29April 29, 1981[5] Wallach, TimTim Wallach[5] Philadelphia Phillies 1965–1988 [2]
Blyleven, BertBert Blyleven 3,701 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","4,970 01986-08-01August 1, 1986[5] Davis, MikeMike Davis[5] Minnesota Twins 1970–1992 [15]
Seaver, TomTom Seaver† 3,640 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","4,7822⁄3 01981-04-18April 18, 1981[5] Hernandez, KeithKeith Hernandez[5] Cincinnati Reds 1967–1986 [16]
Sutton, DonDon Sutton† 3,574 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,2821⁄3 01983-06-24June 24, 1983[5] Bannister, AlanAlan Bannister[5] Milwaukee Brewers 1966–1988 [17]
Perry, GaylordGaylord Perry† 3,534 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,3501⁄3 01978-10-01October 1, 1978[5] Simpson, JoeJoe Simpson[5] Cleveland Indians 1962–1983 [18]
Johnson, WalterWalter Johnson† 3,509 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,9142⁄3 01923-07-22July 22, 1923[5] Unclear[U] Washington Senators 1907–1927 [19]
Maddux, GregGreg Maddux 3,371 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,0081⁄3 02005-07-26July 26, 2005[20] Vizquel, OmarOmar Vizquel[20] Chicago Cubs 1986–2008 [21]
Niekro, PhilPhil Niekro† 3,342 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","5,4041⁄3 01984-07-04July 4, 1984[5] Parrish, LarryLarry Parrish[5] New York Yankees 1964–1987 [22]
Jenkins, FergusonFerguson Jenkins† 3,192 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","4,5002⁄3 01982-07-25July 25, 1982[5] Templeton, GarryGarry Templeton[5] Chicago Cubs 1965–1983 [23]
Martínez, PedroPedro Martínez 3,154 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","2,8271⁄3 02007-09-03September 3, 2007[7] Harang, AaronAaron Harang[7] New York Mets 1992–2009 [24]
Gibson, BobBob Gibson† 3,117 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","3,8841⁄3 01974-07-17July 17, 1974[5] Gerónimo, CésarCésar Gerónimo[5] St. Louis Cardinals 1959–1975 [25]
Schilling, CurtCurt Schilling 3,116 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","3,261 02006-08-30August 30, 2006[26] Swisher, NickNick Swisher[26] Boston Red Sox 1988–2007 [27]
Smoltz, JohnJohn Smoltz 3,084 &Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","3,473 02008-04-22April 22, 2008[1] López, FelipeFelipe López[1] Atlanta Braves 1988–2009 [28]

Notes

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bowman, Mark (April 23, 2008). "Smoltz enters exclusive 3,000 K-Zone". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080422&content_id=2569411. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Steve Carlton Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carltst01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Randy Johnson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsra05.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  4. ↑ Luft, Jacob (September 20, 2000). "3k the fast way: Big Unit is quickest to 3,000 strikeouts". CNNSI.com. Sports Illustrated. http://images.si.com/statitudes/news/2000/09/08/unit_statitudes/index.html. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 "Johnson joins 3K club in Arizona's loss to Florida". Associated Press. Sports Illustrated. http://images.si.com/baseball/mlb/news/2000/09/10/johnson_strikeouts_ap. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Career Leaders & Records for Wins". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/W_career.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Noble, Marty (September 3, 2007). "Pedro records 3,000th strikeout". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070903&content_id=2186435. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  8. ↑ Mitchell, Fred (July 20, 2005). "Maddux on the verge of 3,000 strikeouts". Chicago Tribune. 
  9. ↑ "Rules for Election". National Baseball Hall of Fame. http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/rules-election/bbwaa. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  10. ↑ "2010 Hall of Fame Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2010.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  11. ↑ "The All-Century Team". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  12. ↑ "All-Century Team final voting". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. October 23, 1999. http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/1999/1023/129008.html. Retrieved January 20, 2010. 
  13. ↑ "Nolan Ryan Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanno01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  14. ↑ "Roger Clemens Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clemero02.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Bert Blyleven Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blylebe01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Tom Seaver Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/seaveto01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Don Sutton Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suttodo01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  18. ↑ "Gaylord Perry Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perryga01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  19. ↑ "Walter Johnson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnswa01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Muskat, Carrie (July 26, 2005). "Giant milestone: Maddux fans No. 3,000". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050726&content_id=1146004. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  21. ↑ "Greg Maddux Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maddugr01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  22. ↑ "Phil Niekro Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/niekrph01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  23. ↑ "Fergie Jenkins Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jenkife01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  24. ↑ "Pedro Martinez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martipe02.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  25. ↑ "Bob Gibson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsobo01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Schilling reaches 3,000 career strikeouts". Associated Press. ESPN Internet Ventures. August 31, 2006. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2566501. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  27. ↑ "Curt Schilling Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schilcu01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
  28. ↑ "John Smoltz Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smoltjo01.shtml. Retrieved January 18, 2010. 
3,000 strikeout club
Nolan Ryan · Randy Johnson · Roger Clemens · Steve Carlton · Bert Blyleven · Tom Seaver · Don Sutton · Gaylord Perry · Walter Johnson · Greg Maddux · Phil Niekro · Ferguson Jenkins · Pedro Martínez · Bob Gibson · Curt Schilling · John Smoltz
Major League Baseball records
Baseball statistics (types of records)
General

MLB record holders • MLB single-game records • MLB single-season records • MLB career records • MLB record breakers by season
Batting leaders
(career)

Batting average (.330+) • On-base% (.400+) • Slugging% (.500+) • On-base plus slugging (.900+) • 3,000 hit club • Hits (2000+) • Doubles (400+) • Triples (100+) • Home runs (career) • Home runs (top 500) • 500 home run club • RBIs (1000+) • Total bases (4000+) • Walks drawn (top 100) • Hit records • Home run records • Doubles records • Triples records • RBI records
Batting leaders
(single season)

Triples (20+) • Home runs (by year) • RBI (by year) • Batting average (by year)
Baserunning leaders
(career)

Runs (1000+) • Stolen bases • Stolen base records • Runs records
Baserunning leaders
(single season)

Stolen bases (by year)
Pitching leaders
(career)

Wins • 300 win club • Games started • Games finished • Strikeouts (top 100) • 3000 strikeout club • Saves • Shutouts • ERA (top 200) • WHIP (top 100) • 300 wins–3000 strikeouts club • Walks allowed (top 100) • Hit batsmen (top 100) • Wins records
Pitching leaders
(single season)

Wins (by year) • Saves (by year) • Shutouts (by year) • Strikeouts (by year) • Earned run average (by year)
Single-game records

Four home runs • Hitting for the cycle • No-hitter • Perfect game • Strikeouts • Unassisted triple play
Multiple stat clubs

Triple Crown • 3000–500 club • 3000–300 club • 20–20–20 club • 30–30 club • 40–40 club • 300-300 club • 50 stolen bases and 50 doubles • 50 home runs and 50 doubles