The 21 Greatest MLB Pitchers of All Time

Dead Ball Era legends, strikeout kings, and dominant aces of the modern era all make the cut — spanning over a century of the art of the pitch. Which arm stands alone?

1

Nolan Ryan

The Ryan Express — seven no-hitters and 5,714 career strikeouts, the all-time record holder.

1000pts

2

Cy Young

The namesake of pitching's highest award — 511 career wins, the all-time record that will never be broken.

859pts

3

Lefty Grove

A 300-141 career record with a 3.06 ERA — the most dominant pitcher of the 1920s and 30s.

795pts

4

Randy Johnson

The Big Unit — 4,875 career strikeouts and five Cy Young Awards, one of the most overpowering left-handers ever.

749pts

5

Warren Spahn

The winningest left-hander in history — 363 victories spanning four decades, including service in World War II.

749pts

6

Walter Johnson

The Big Train — 417 wins and 110 career shutouts, the dominant force of the Dead Ball Era.

681pts

7

Sandy Koufax

Three consecutive Cy Young Awards in the 1960s, Koufax's dominance over a six-year peak has never been matched.

681pts

8

Jim Palmer

Three Cy Young Awards and never allowed a grand slam — the anchor of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty.

681pts

9

Clayton Kershaw

Three-time Cy Young winner and the best left-handed pitcher of his generation, a Dodgers franchise icon.

681pts

10

Tom Seaver

Tom Terrific — led the Miracle Mets to the 1969 World Series and finished with 311 wins and a 2.86 ERA.

624pts

11

Whitey Ford

The Chairman of the Board — the best winning percentage (.690) of any 200-win pitcher in history.

555pts

12

Bob Feller

Rapid Robert — 266 wins and three no-hitters, achieved despite losing four prime seasons to WWII military service.

555pts

13

Satchel Paige

The ageless Negro Leagues legend who dominated for decades before MLB integration and defied age to pitch into his 50s.

555pts

14

Max Scherzer

Mad Max — three Cy Young Awards and two no-hitters in a single season, one of the fiercest competitors in modern baseball.

555pts

15

Bob Gibson

Gibby — his 1968 ERA of 1.12 prompted the lowering of the mound, symbolising how untouchable he was.

468pts

16

Justin Verlander

Three Cy Young Awards across three different teams, still pitching at elite level into his 40s.

468pts

17

Pedro Martinez

Three Cy Young Awards and a 2.93 career ERA — his seasons with Boston in the steroid era were virtually untouchable.

357pts

18

Steve Carlton

Four-time Cy Young winner who compiled 241 of his 329 wins on losing Phillies teams — carrying a franchise alone.

357pts

19

Roger Clemens

The Rocket — 354 wins and a record seven Cy Young Awards across a legendary 24-year career.

208pts

20

Greg Maddux

Four straight Cy Young Awards and 18 Gold Gloves — the most cerebral pitcher in baseball history.

208pts

21

Christy Mathewson

Deadball Era legend who threw three consecutive shutouts in the 1905 World Series without allowing a single run.

208pts