April 27, 2011April 27, 2011

Nolan Ryan pitched for a record Nolan Ryan pitched for a record breaking 27 years in the MLB. He breaking 27 years in the MLB. He played for four different teams. He was played for four different teams. He was inducted into the baseball hall of fame inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1999. He holds the record for the in 1999. He holds the record for the most strikeouts in a career with 5,714. most strikeouts in a career with 5,714. His fastball was regularly clocked at His fastball was regularly clocked at over 100 mph.over 100 mph.

During a 20-year career, Seaver During a 20-year career, Seaver compiled 311 compiled 311 wins, 3,640 , 3,640 strikeouts, 61 shutouts and a 2.86 strikeouts, 61 shutouts and a 2.86 earned run average. He won the earned run average. He won the National League Rookie of the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1967, and three NL Year Award in 1967, and three NL Cy Young Awards as the league's Cy Young Awards as the league's best pitcher. best pitcher.

He was a right-handed pitcher who played his He was a right-handed pitcher who played his entire 17-year Major League Baseball career entire 17-year Major League Baseball career with St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1975). A nine-with St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1975). A nine-time All-Star selection, Gibson accumulated time All-Star selection, Gibson accumulated 3,117 strikeouts during his career, won two Cy 3,117 strikeouts during his career, won two Cy Young Awards, was named the National Young Awards, was named the National League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1968, League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1968, and was a member of two World Series and was a member of two World Series championship teams. He was elected to the championship teams. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he became most Philadelphia Phillies where he became most famous as a professional and won four Cy Young famous as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Awards. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. Carlton has the second-most Fame in 1994. Carlton has the second-most lifetime strikeouts of any left-handed pitcher lifetime strikeouts of any left-handed pitcher (4th overall), and the second-most lifetime wins (4th overall), and the second-most lifetime wins of any left-handed pitcher (11th overall). He was of any left-handed pitcher (11th overall). He was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards in the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards in a career.a career.

Feller joined the Cleveland Indians without having Feller joined the Cleveland Indians without having played in the minors. He spent his entire career of 18 played in the minors. He spent his entire career of 18 years with the Indians, being one of "The Big Four" years with the Indians, being one of "The Big Four" Indians pitching rotation in the 1950s, along with Bob Indians pitching rotation in the 1950s, along with Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. He ended his Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. He ended his career with 266 victories and 2,581 strikeouts and led career with 266 victories and 2,581 strikeouts and led the American League in strikeouts seven times and the American League in strikeouts seven times and bases on balls four times. His fastball was nicknamed bases on balls four times. His fastball was nicknamed "the Van Meter Heater." He pitched three no-hit games "the Van Meter Heater." He pitched three no-hit games and shares the major league record with 12 one-hitters. and shares the major league record with 12 one-hitters. Feller was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games Feller was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games before the age of 21. He was elected to the Baseball before the age of 21. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility. When Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility. When he was 17 years of age, he struck out 17 batters; he he was 17 years of age, he struck out 17 batters; he and Kerry Wood are the only two players ever to strike and Kerry Wood are the only two players ever to strike out their age.out their age.

During his 22-year baseball career, he pitched During his 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1890-1911 for five different teams. Young from 1890-1911 for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937. One year after Young's death, the Fame in 1937. One year after Young's death, the Cy Young Award was created to honor the Cy Young Award was created to honor the previous season's best pitcher. Young previous season's best pitcher. Young established numerous pitching records, some of established numerous pitching records, some of which have stood for a century. Young compiled which have stood for a century. Young compiled 511 wins, 94 ahead of Walter Johnson, who is 511 wins, 94 ahead of Walter Johnson, who is second on the list of most wins in Major League second on the list of most wins in Major League history. In addition to wins, Young still holds the history. In addition to wins, Young still holds the Major League records for most career innings Major League records for most career innings pitched (7,355), most career games started pitched (7,355), most career games started (815), and most complete games (749).(815), and most complete games (749).

Grove became a star in Major League Grove became a star in Major League Baseball with the American League's Baseball with the American League's Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox, winning 300 games in his 17-year MLB winning 300 games in his 17-year MLB career. He was elected to the National career. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. Grove retired Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. Grove retired in 1941 with a career record of 300-141. in 1941 with a career record of 300-141. His .680 lifetime winning percentage is His .680 lifetime winning percentage is eighth all-time; however, none of the seven eighth all-time; however, none of the seven men ahead of him won more than 236 men ahead of him won more than 236 games. His lifetime ERA of 3.06 is one of the games. His lifetime ERA of 3.06 is one of the best all-time among pitchers. best all-time among pitchers.

He played his entire 12-year baseball career for the He played his entire 12-year baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955–66). He was inducted into Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955–66). He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, the youngest former player the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, the youngest former player to receive that honor. Koufax's career peaked with a run of six to receive that honor. Koufax's career peaked with a run of six outstanding seasons from 1961 to 1966, before arthritis ended outstanding seasons from 1961 to 1966, before arthritis ended his career at age 30. He was named the National League’s Most his career at age 30. He was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1963. He also won the 1963, 1965, and 1966 Valuable Player in 1963. He also won the 1963, 1965, and 1966 Cy Young Awards by unanimous votes, making him the first 3-Cy Young Awards by unanimous votes, making him the first 3-time Cy Young winner in baseball history. In each of his Cy time Cy Young winner in baseball history. In each of his Cy Young seasons, Koufax won the pitcher's triple crown by Young seasons, Koufax won the pitcher's triple crown by leading the NL in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. leading the NL in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. Koufax's totals would also have led the American League in Koufax's totals would also have led the American League in those seasons. Koufax was the first major leaguer to pitch four those seasons. Koufax was the first major leaguer to pitch four no-hitters (including the eighth perfect game in baseball no-hitters (including the eighth perfect game in baseball history). history).

During his 17-year career, Mathewson During his 17-year career, Mathewson won 373 games and lost 188 for an won 373 games and lost 188 for an outstanding .665 winning percentage. outstanding .665 winning percentage. His career ERA of 2.13 and 79 career His career ERA of 2.13 and 79 career shutouts are among the best all-time for shutouts are among the best all-time for pitchers, and his 373 wins is still pitchers, and his 373 wins is still number one in the National League, tied number one in the National League, tied with Grover Cleveland Alexander. with Grover Cleveland Alexander.

He played his entire 21-year baseball career on the Washington He played his entire 21-year baseball career on the Washington Senators (1907–1927). He would later serve as manager of the Senators (1907–1927). He would later serve as manager of the Senators from 1929–1932 and for the Cleveland Indians from Senators from 1929–1932 and for the Cleveland Indians from 1933–1935. One of the most celebrated and dominating players 1933–1935. One of the most celebrated and dominating players in baseball history, Johnson established several pitching in baseball history, Johnson established several pitching records, some of which remain unbroken. He remains by far the records, some of which remain unbroken. He remains by far the all-time career leader in shutouts with 110, second with 417 all-time career leader in shutouts with 110, second with 417 wins, and fourth in complete games with 531. He once held the wins, and fourth in complete games with 531. He once held the career record in strikeouts with 3,509 and was the only player in career record in strikeouts with 3,509 and was the only player in the 3,000 strikeout club for over 50 years until Bob Gibson the 3,000 strikeout club for over 50 years until Bob Gibson recorded his 3,000th strikeout in 1974. Johnson led the league recorded his 3,000th strikeout in 1974. Johnson led the league in strikeouts a Major League record 12 times  including a record in strikeouts a Major League record 12 times  including a record eight consecutive seasons.eight consecutive seasons.