Baseball fans love to argue over who is the best at each position. It’s so hard to determine greatness in a game that has been played over a century. Here is a list of the 20 greatest starting pitchers to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
20. Jim Palmer
BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1965: Pitcher Jim Palmer #22 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1965 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Palmer played for the Orioles from 1965-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
268 Wins and 3 Cy Young Awards
19. Don Sutton
LOS ANGELES – 1972. Don Sutton, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is about to make a delivery at Dodger Stadium during the season of 1972. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
324 wins and a model of consistency
18. Ferguson Jenkins
(Original Caption) Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs at Spring Training camp.
“Fergie” 284 Wins and 3192 Ks
17. Max Scherzer
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 18: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals throws a fifth inning pitch against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on April 18, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
3 Cy Young Awards
16. Bob Feller
(Original Caption) USA: Bob Feller, Cleveland Indians pitcher.
“Rapid Robert” Would have been higher on the list of not for WWII taking years off his career
15. Sandy Koufax
(Original Caption) Sandy Koufax of the Brooklyn Dodgers
3 Cy Young Awards and fantastic playoff pitcher
14. Lefty Grove
Lefty Grove Pitching (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
300 Wins and 9 ERA Titles
13. Pedro Martinez
1 Mar 1998: Pitcher Pedro Martinez #45 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the Red Sox”s 11-2 win over the Minnesota Twins during Spring Training at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport
Was virtually unhittable from 1997-2003
12. Steve Carlton
(Original Caption) The New York Mets’ pitcher Steve Carlton is shown pitching during the opening day game at Shea Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Lefty” 329 Wins and 4 Cy Young Awards
11. Bob Gibson
Bob Gibson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time, accumulating a career record of 251-174, 2.91 ERA, plus a two-time Cy Young Award winner (1968, 1970).
Had a 1.12 ERA in 1968
10. Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn, pitcher for the Boston Braves, who won 16 and lost 7 for Evansville last season, shown at spring training camp before the 1942 season.
363 Wins, most ever for LHP
9. Grover Cleveland Alexander
(Original Caption) Grover Cleveland Alexander, with the St. Louis Cardinals at Spring Training in Avon Park, Florida.
373 Wins
8. Roger Clemens
BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1988: Roger Clemens #21 of the Boston Red Sox poses for this portrait prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game circa 1988 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Clemens played for the Red Sox from 1884-96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“The Rocket” 7 Cy Young Awards
7. Randy Johnson
DETROIT – 1992: Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners pitches during an MLB game against the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan during the 1992 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
4875 Ks
6. Christy Mathewson
Portrait of Christy Mathewson (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
373 Wins and 2.13 lifetime ERA
5. Nolan Ryan
ARLINGTON, TX: Nolan Ryan #34 of the Texas Rangers pitches during a game at Arlington Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ryan pitched for the Rangers from 1989-93. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
5714 K’s and 7 lifetime No Hitters
4. Tom Seaver
(Original Caption) The New York Mets’ pitcher Tom Seaver is shown pitching during the opening day game at Shea Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Tom Terrific” 3 Cy Young Awards and 311 lifetime wins
3. Greg Maddux
DENVER – 1995: Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves pitches during an MLB game versus the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado during the 1995 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
4 straight Cy Young Awards and the ultimate technician on the mound
2. Walter Johnson
CIRCA 1900: Pichter Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators poses for a portrait circa 1900. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images)
” The Big Train” 477 Wins and a 2.17 lifetime ERA
1. Cy Young
BOSTON – 1908. Cy Young, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, warms up before a game at Huntingdon Ave. Grounds in Boston in 1908. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
511 Wins and has the top pitching award named after him
