3,000 strikeout club

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Nolan Ryan in Atlanta close-up.jpg
Randy Johnson 04.jpg
Nolan Ryan (left) is Major League Baseball's all-time strikeout leader at 5,714. Randy Johnson, second all-time in strikeouts, has the most strikeouts for a left-hander at 4,875.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 3,000 strikeout club is the group of 20 pitchers who have struck out 3,000 or more batters in their careers. Walter Johnson became the first member in 1923, and was the only one until Bob Gibson joined in 1974. The most recent player to join is Clayton Kershaw, who accomplished the feat on July 2, 2025.

Contents

Randy Johnson reached the mark with the fewest games pitched and innings pitched. [1] The Minnesota Twins were the first of four franchises to see multiple pitchers record their 3,000th strikeout: Walter Johnson (while the franchise was called the Washington Senators) in 1923 and Bert Blyleven in 1986. The other teams with multiple members are the Chicago Cubs (Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux), the Atlanta Braves (Phil Niekro and Greg Maddux), and the Houston Astros (Nolan Ryan and Justin Verlander). Three players got 3,000 strikeouts with one team: Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, and Clayton Kershaw. César Gerónimo is the only player struck out by two pitchers for their 3,000th strikeout: Gibson in 1974 and Ryan in 1980. [2] Ten 3,000-strikeout pitchers are also members of the 300-win club. [3] Seven members were named to the All-Century Team, a list of MLB's best 100 players; fans later elected four of them as starters. [4] [5] All members of the club also won a Cy Young Award in their careers except for Ryan, Blyleven, Don Sutton, Walter Johnson (whose career predated the award's creation), Niekro, and Curt Schilling. Four pitchers in the group are left-handers: Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, and CC Sabathia. [6] [7]

The club is considered to almost be a guarantee of entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Fifteen members of the 3,000-strikeout club have been elected to the Hall, most recently Sabathia during the 2025 balloting. Three more members (Kershaw, Scherzer, Verlander) remain active as of 2025, but are widely considered to be future inductees once eligible. [8] The remaining two, Roger Clemens and Schilling, made their first appearances on the ballot for the 2013 elections and received over 50% of the total votes before falling off the ballot in 2022. [9] Clemens' future election is seen as uncertain because of his alleged links to use of performance-enhancing drugs. [10]

Key

Clayton Kershaw, joining on July 2, 2025, is the most recent addition to the club. Clayton Kershaw on July 23, 2015 (2).jpg
Clayton Kershaw, joining on July 2, 2025, is the most recent addition to the club.
PlayerName of the player
StrikeoutsCareer strikeouts
IPCareer innings pitched
DateDate of the pitcher's 3,000th strikeout
BatterThe batter struck out for the pitcher's 3,000th strikeout
TeamThe pitcher's team for his 3,000th strikeout
SeasonsThe seasons this player played in the major leagues
†Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
‡Player is active

Club members

PlayerStrikeoutsIPK/IPDateBatterTeamSeasons
Nolan Ryan †5,714 [11] 5,3861.06July 4, 1980 [2] César Gerónimo [2] Houston Astros 1966, 1968–1993
Randy Johnson †4,875 [7] 4,1351⁄31.18September 10, 2000 [2] Mike Lowell [2] Arizona Diamondbacks 1988–2009
Roger Clemens 4,672 [12] 4,9162⁄30.95July 5, 1998 [2] Randy Winn [2] Toronto Blue Jays 1984–2007
Steve Carlton †4,136 [6] 5,2171⁄30.79April 29, 1981 [2] Tim Wallach [2] Philadelphia Phillies 1965–1988
Bert Blyleven †3,701 [13] 4,9700.74August 1, 1986 [2] Mike Davis [2] Minnesota Twins 1970–1992
Tom Seaver †3,640 [14] 4,7822⁄30.76April 18, 1981 [2] Keith Hernandez [2] Cincinnati Reds 1967–1986
Don Sutton †3,574 [15] 5,2821⁄30.68June 24, 1983 [2] Alan Bannister [2] Milwaukee Brewers 1966–1988
Justin Verlander ‡3,543 [16] 3,5571⁄31.00September 28, 2019 [2] Kole Calhoun [2] Houston Astros 2005–2020, 2022–present
Gaylord Perry †3,534 [17] 5,3501⁄30.66October 1, 1978 [2] Joe Simpson [2] San Diego Padres 1962–1983
Walter Johnson †3,508 [18] 5,9142⁄30.59July 22, 1923 Stan Coveleski Washington Senators 1907–1927
Max Scherzer ‡3,482 [19] 2,9571⁄31.18September 12, 2021 [20] Eric Hosmer [20] Los Angeles Dodgers 2008–present
Greg Maddux †3,371 [21] 5,0081⁄30.67July 26, 2005 [22] Omar Vizquel [22] Chicago Cubs 1986–2008
Phil Niekro †3,342 [23] 5,4041⁄30.62July 4, 1984 [2] Larry Parrish [2] New York Yankees 1964–1987
Ferguson Jenkins †3,192 [24] 4,5002⁄30.71May 25, 1982 [2] Garry Templeton [2] Chicago Cubs 1965–1983
Pedro Martínez †3,154 [25] 2,8271⁄31.12September 3, 2007 [26] Aaron Harang [26] New York Mets 1992–2009
Bob Gibson †3,117 [27] 3,8841⁄30.80July 17, 1974 [2] César Gerónimo [2] St. Louis Cardinals 1959–1975
Curt Schilling 3,116 [28] 3,2610.96August 30, 2006 [29] Nick Swisher [29] Boston Red Sox 1988–2007
CC Sabathia †3,093 [30] 3,5771⁄30.86April 30, 2019 [31] John Ryan Murphy [31] New York Yankees 2001–2019
John Smoltz †3,084 [32] 3,4730.88April 22, 2008 [33] Felipe López [33] Atlanta Braves 1988–1999, 2001–2009
Clayton Kershaw ‡3,039 [34] 2,8442⁄31.07July 2, 2025 [35] Vinny Capra [35] Los Angeles Dodgers 2008–present

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ Luft, Jacob (September 20, 2000). "3k the fast way: Big Unit is quickest to 3,000 strikeouts". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "Johnson joins 3K club in Arizona's loss to Florida". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Career Leaders & Records for Wins". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  4. ↑ "The All-Century Team". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  5. ↑ "All-Century Team final voting". ESPN. October 23, 1999. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Steve Carlton Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  7. 1 2 "Randy Johnson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Rules for Election". National Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  9. ↑ "2013 Hall of Fame Vote a Shutout" (Press release). National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
  10. ↑ Kurkjian, Tim (January 9, 2012). "Whopper of a list of names await in 2013". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2012. But Clemens is, after [Barry] Bonds, the next face of the steroid era. He has been charged with lying before Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. He has no chance to make it to Cooperstown next year, or for many, many years to come.
  11. ↑ "Nolan Ryan Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Roger Clemens Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Bert Blyleven Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Tom Seaver Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Don Sutton Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Justin Verlander Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Gaylord Perry Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Walter Johnson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Max Scherzer Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  20. 1 2 "Near-perfect Scherzer 19th to 3,000 K's". MLB.com . Archived from the original on 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  21. ↑ "Greg Maddux Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  22. 1 2 Muskat, Carrie (July 26, 2005). "Giant milestone: Maddux fans No. 3,000". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Phil Niekro Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Fergie Jenkins Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Pedro Martínez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  26. 1 2 Noble, Marty (September 3, 2007). "Pedro records 3,000th strikeout". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Bob Gibson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Curt Schilling Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  29. 1 2 "Schilling reaches 3,000 career strikeouts". ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  30. ↑ "CC Sabathia Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  31. 1 2 "3K for CC! Lefty 17th to achieve K milestone". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  32. ↑ "John Smoltz Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  33. 1 2 Bowman, Mark (April 23, 2008). "Smoltz enters exclusive 3,000 K-Zone". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Clayton Kershaw Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  35. 1 2 "Kershaw becomes 20th member of the 3,000-strikeout club". mlb.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.

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