100 Greatest Starting Pitchers of All-Time

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Dave Franks 2 comments

One of the most polarizing baseball discussions today centers around starting pitching. The divide is multi faceted. For the last couple decades, many fans and retired pitchers alike go on and on about how today’s pitchers don’t go deep enough into games or that they aren’t allowed to pitch out of jams, or that they don’t pitch often enough. The other major divide is the recent use of “openers” which is a relief pitcher who starts a game and usually pitches the first inning or two followed by a pitcher who is a traditional starter. While this is not a debate I do need to clarify that these rankings favor pitchers who pitch both frequently and deep into games.

Here are my 100 greatest starting pitchers of all-time.

Walter Johnson

Age: 19 – 39
Years: 1907 – 1927
Teams: Washingotn Senators

Walter Johnson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
152.33	68	802	666	417	279	2.17	5914.2	531	110	34	1902	1424	1363	3509	12.6%	1.061

Roger Clemens

Age: 21 – 44
Years: 1984 – 2007
Teams: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros

Roger Clemens
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
139.36	70	709	707	354	184	3.12	4916.2	118	46	0	1885	1707	1580	4672	23.1%	1.172

Pete Alexander

Age: 24 – 43
Years: 1911 – 1930
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals

Pete Alexander
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
116.98	73	696	599	373	208	2.56	5190	437	90	32	1851	1476	951	2198	8.3%	1.121

Lefty Grove

Age: 25 – 41
Years: 1925 – 1941
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox

Lefty Grove
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
109.93	68	616	457	300	141	3.06	3940.2	298	35	55	1594	1339	1187	2266	13.6%	1.278

Randy Johnson

Age: 24 – 45
Years: 1988 – 2009
Teams: Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants

Randy Johnson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
104.28	75	618	603	303	166	3.29	4135.1	100	37	2	1703	1513	1497	4875	28.6%	1.171

Christy Mathewson

Age: 19 – 35
Years: 1900 – 1916
Teams: New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds

Christy Mathewson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
98.3	74	635	551	373	188	2.13	4780.2	434	79	28	1616	1133	844	2502	6.4%	1.058

Cy Young

Age: 23 – 44
Years: 1890 – 1911
Teams: Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, Boston Americans / Red Sox, Cleveland Naps, Boston Rustlers

Cy Young
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
170.28	74	906	815	511	316	2.63	7354.2	749	76	17	3167	2147	1217	2803	.%	1.129

Pedro Martinez

Age: 20 – 37
Years: 1992 – 2009
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies

Pedro Martinez
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
86.01	66	476	409	219	100	2.93	2827.1	46	17	3	1006	919	760	3154	27.7%	1.054

Greg Maddux

Age: 20 – 42
Years: 1986 – 2008
Teams: Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres

Greg Maddux
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
104.6	76	744	740	355	227	3.16	5008.1	109	35	0	1981	1756	999	3371	16.5%	1.143

Tom Seaver

Age: 22 – 41
Years: 1967 – 1986
Teams: New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox

Tom Seaver
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
106.26	79	656	647	311	205	2.86	4782.2	231	61	1	1674	1521	1390	3640	18.8%	1.121

Bob Gibson

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1959 – 1975
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Bob Gibson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
81.93	78	528	482	251	174	2.91	3884.1	255	56	6	1420	1258	1336	3117	19.4%	1.188

Phil Niekro

Age: 25 – 48
Years: 1964 – 1987
Teams: Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays

Phil Niekro
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
97.39	86	864	716	318	274	3.35	5404.1	245	45	29	2337	2012	1809	3342	14.7%	1.268

Ed Walsh

Age: 23 – 36
Years: 1904 – 1917
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Boston Braves

Ed Walsh
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
63.22	69	430	315	195	126	1.82	2964.1	250	57	34	877	598	617	1736	7.1%	0.999

Gaylord Perry

Age: 23 – 44
Years: 1962 – 1983
Teams: San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals

Gaylord Perry
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
93.7	85	777	690	314	265	3.11	5350.1	303	53	11	2128	1846	1379	3534	16.1%	1.180

Bert Blyleven

Age: 19 – 39, 41
Years: 1970 – 1990, 1992
Teams: Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, California Angels

Bert Blyleven
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
96.49	85	692	685	287	250	3.31	4970	242	60	0	2029	1830	1322	3701	18.1%	1.197

Warren Spahn

Age: 21, 25 – 44
Years: 1942, 1946 – 1965
Teams: Boston / Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants

Warren Spahn
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
92.58	84	750	665	363	245	3.09	5243.2	382	63	29	2016	1798	1434	2583	12.0%	1.194

Steve Carlton

Age: 20 – 43
Years: 1965 – 1988
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins

Steve Carlton
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
84.13	87	741	709	329	244	3.22	5217.1	254	55	2	2130	1864	1833	4136	19.1%	1.246

Eddie Plank

Age: 25 – 41
Years: 1901 – 1917
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Terriers, St. Louis Browns

Eddie Plank
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
86.48	81	623	529	326	194	2.35	4495.2	410	69	23	1569	1174	1072	2246	7.8%	1.118

Curt Schilling

Age: 21 – 40
Years: 1988 – 2007
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox

Curt Schilling
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
80.74	80	569	436	216	146	3.46	3261	83	20	22	1318	1253	711	3116	23.5%	1.137

Robin Roberts

Age: 21 – 39
Years: 1948 – 1966
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs

Robin Roberts
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
83.08	89	676	609	286	245	3.41	4688.2	305	45	25	1962	1774	902	2357	12.3%	1.169

Clayton Kershaw

Age: 20 – 30
Years: 2008 – 2018
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.67	62	318	316	153	69	2.39	2096.1	25	15	0	609	557	536	2275	27.6%	1.000

Fergie Jenkins

Age: 22 – 40
Years: 1965 – 1983
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox

Fergie Jenkins
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
82.76	87	664	594	284	226	3.34	4500.2	267	49	7	1853	1669	997	3192	17.4%	1.141

Stan Coveleski

Age: 22, 26 – 38
Years: 1912, 1916 – 1928
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washingotn Senators, New York Yankees

Stan Coveleski
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.21	78	450	385	215	142	2.89	3082	224	38	21	1237	990	802	981	7.7%	1.251

Roy Halladay

Age: 21 – 36
Years: 1998 – 2013
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies

Roy Halladay
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.62	76	416	390	203	105	3.38	2749.1	67	20	1	1135	1034	592	2117	18.8%	1.177

Rube Waddell

Age: 20, 22 – 33
Years: 1897, 1899 – 1910
Teams: Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Orphans, Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns

Rube Waddell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.02	75	407	340	193	143	2.16	2961.1	261	50	5	1063	711	803	2316		1.101

Mike Mussina

Age: 22 – 39
Years: 1991 – 2008
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees

Mike Mussina
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
82.69	82	537	536	270	153	3.68	3562.2	57	23	0	1559	1458	785	2813	19.3%	1.191

Hal Newhouser

Age: 18 – 34
Years: 1939 – 1955
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians

Hal Newhouser
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.36	76	488	374	207	150	3.06	2993	212	33	26	1197	1016	1249	1796	14.2%	1.310

Bob Feller

Age: 17 – 22, 26 – 37
Years: 1936 – 1941, 1945 – 1956
Teams: Cleveland Indians

Bob Feller
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.24	82	570	484	266	162	3.25	3827	279	44	21	1557	1384	1764	2581	16.%	1.315

Carl Hubbell

Age: 25 – 40
Years: 1928 – 1943
Teams: New York Giants

Carl Hubbell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
67.81	77	535	431	253	154	2.98	3590.1	260	36	33	1380	1188	725	1677	11.3%	1.165

Dazzy Vance

Age: 24, 27, 31 – 44
Years: 1915, 1918, 1922 – 1935
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Robins / Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals

Dazzy Vance
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
62.48	81	442	347	197	140	3.24	2966.2	216	29	11	1246	1068	840	2045	16.6%	1.230

Kevin Brown

Age: 21, 23 – 40
Years: 1986, 1988 – 2005
Teams: Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees

Kevin Brown
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.54	78	486	476	211	144	3.28	3256	72	17	0	1357	1185	901	2397	17.7%	1.222

Jim Palmer

Age: 19 – 21, 23 – 38
Years: 1965 – 1967, 1969 – 1984
Teams: Baltimore Orioles

Jim Palmer
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.13	79	558	521	268	152	2.86	3948	211	53	4	1395	1253	1311	2212	13.7%	1.180

Juan Marichal

Age: 22 – 37
Years: 1960 – 1975
Teams: San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers

Juan Marichal
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.92	81	471	457	243	142	2.89	3507.1	244	52	2	1329	1126	709	2303	16.2%	1.101

Sandy Koufax

Age: 19 – 30
Years: 1955 – 1966
Teams: Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers

Sandy Koufax
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.17	75	397	314	165	87	2.76	2324.1	137	40	9	806	713	817	2396	25.2%	1.106

Nolan Ryan

Age: 19, 21 – 46
Years: 1966, 1968 – 1993
Teams: New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers

Nolan Ryan
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
83.85	90	807	773	324	292	3.19	5386	222	61	3	2178	1911	2795	5714	25.3%	1.247

Red Faber

Age: 25 – 44
Years: 1914 – 1933
Teams: Chicago White Sox

Red Faber
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.35	84	669	483	254	213	3.15	4086.2	273	29	28	1813	1430	1213	1471	7.8%	1.301

Justin Verlander

Age: 22 – 35
Years: 2005 – 2018
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros

Justin Verlander
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
63.12	80	419	419	204	123	3.39	2759	24	8	0	1124	1039	808	2706	23.9%	1.16

Mordecai Brown

Age: 26 – 39
Years: 1903 – 1916
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Terriers, Brooklyn Tip-Tops, Chicago Whales

Mordecai Brown
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
55.11	71	481	332	239	130	2.06	3172.1	271	55	49	1044	725	673	1375	10.3%	1.065

Vic Willis

Age: 22 – 34
Years: 1898 – 1910
Teams: Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals

Vic Willis
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
67.1	87	513	471	249	205	2.63	3996	388	50	11	1628	1167	1212	1651		1.209

Zack Greinke

Age: 20 – 34
Years: 2004 – 2018
Teams: Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks

Zack Greinke
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.08	81	455	414	187	118	3.39	2663.1	16	5	1	1078	1002	637	2435	22.3%	1.17

Max Scherzer

Age: 23 – 33
Years: 2008 – 2018
Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals

Max Scherzer
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.38	77	338	329	159	82	3.22	2117.2	10	5	0	817	757	585	2449	28.5%	1.10

Bret Saberhagen

Age: 20 – 31, 33 – 35, 37
Years: 1984 – 1995, 1997 – 1999, 2001
Teams: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox

Bret Saberhagen
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
59.06	80	399	371	167	117	3.34	2562.2	76	16	1	1036	952	471	1715	16.5%	1.140

Tom Glavine

Age: 21 – 42
Years: 1987 – 2008
Teams: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets

Tom Glavine
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
73.97	86	682	682	305	203	3.54	4413.1	56	25	0	1900	1734	1500	2607	14.0%	1.313

Eddie Cicotte

Age: 21, 24 – 36
Years: 1905, 1908 – 1920
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox

Eddie Cicotte
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.92	82	502	361	208	149	2.38	3223.1	249	35	25	1149	853	827	1374	9.9%	1.155

Luis Tiant

Age: 23 – 41
Years: 1964 – 1982
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels

Luis Tiant
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
66.09	87	573	484	229	172	3.3	3486.1	187	49	15	1400	1280	1104	2416	16.8%	1.198

Joe McGinnity

Age: 28 – 37
Years: 1899 – 1908
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Superbas, New York Giants

Joe McGinnity
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.43	85	465	381	246	142	2.66	3441.1	314	32	24	1438	1016	812	1068	.%	1.187

Johan Santana

Age: 21 – 31, 33
Years: 2000 – 2010, 2012
Teams: Minnesota Twins, New York Mets

Johan Santana
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.67	74	360	284	139	78	3.2	2025.2	15	10	1	773	721	567	1988	24.1%	1.132

Jim Bunning

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1955 – 1971
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jim Bunning
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.27	88	591	519	224	184	3.27	3760.1	151	40	16	1527	1366	1000	2855	18.3%	1.178

Rick Reuschel

Age: 23 – 32, 34 – 42
Years: 23 – 32, 34 – 42
Teams: Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Rick Reuschel
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.16	88	557	529	214	191	3.37	3548.1	102	26	5	1494	1330	935	2015	13.5%	1.274

Dave Stieb

Age: 21 – 35, 40
Years: 1979 – 1993, 1998
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox

Dave Stieb
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.98	82	443	412	176	137	3.44	2895.1	103	30	3	1225	1106	1034	1669	13.8%	1.245

Don Drysdale

Age: 19 – 32
Years: 1956 – 1969
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Don Drysdale
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.21	83	518	465	209	166	2.95	3432	167	49	6	1292	1124	855	2486	17.6%	1.147

John Smoltz

Age: 21 – 32, 34 – 42
Years: 1988 – 1999, 2001 – 2009
Teams: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals

John Smoltz
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
66.48	81	723	481	213	155	3.33	3473	53	16	154	1391	1284	1010	3084	21.6%	1.175

Kevin Appier

Age: 21 – 36
Years: 1989 – 2004
Teams: Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Anaheim Angels

Kevin Appier
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
55.07	83	414	402	169	137	3.74	2595.1	34	12	0	1168	1078	933	1994	18.2%	1.293

Urban Shocker

Age: 25 – 37
Years: 1916 – 1928
Teams: New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns

Urban Shocker
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
54.85	81	412	317	187	117	3.17	2681.2	200	28	25	1127	945	657	983	8.8%	1.255

Ted Lyons

Age: 22 – 41, 45
Years: 1923 – 1942, 1946
Teams: Chicago White Sox

Ted Lyons
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
67.15	85	594	484	260	230	3.67	4161	356	27	23	2056	1696	1121	1073	6.0%	1.348

David Cone

Age: 23 – 38, 40
Years: 1986 – 2001, 2003
Teams: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox

David Cone
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.69	84	450	419	194	126	3.46	2898.2	56	22	1	1222	1115	1137	2668	21.9%	1.256

Chris Sale

Age: 21 – 29
Years: 2010 – 2018
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox

Chris Sale
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
43.97	69	287	207	103	62	2.89	1482.1	15	2	12	510	476	337	1789	30.2%	1.03

Addie Joss

Age: 22 – 30
Years: 1902 – 1910
Teams: Clevleand Bronchos / Naps

Addie Joss
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.88	70	286	260	160	97	1.89	2327	234	45	5	729	488	364	920		0.967

Nap Rucker

Age: 22 – 31
Years: 1907 – 1916
Teams: Brooklyn Superbas / Robins

Nap Rucker
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.93	86	336	272	134	134	2.42	2375.1	186	38	14	817	639	701	1217	9.4%	1.174

Chuck Finley

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1986 – 2002
Teams: California Angels, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals

Chuck Finley
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
58.51	87	524	467	200	173	3.84	3197.2	63	15	0	1517	1366	1332	2610	19.1%	1.376

Wes Ferrell

Age: 19 – 33
Years: 1927 – 1941
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Washingotn Senators, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves

Wes Ferrell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
48.84	87	374	323	193	128	4.04	2623	227	17	13	1382	1177	1040	985	8.5%	1.481

C.C. Sabathia

Age: 20 – 37
Years: 2001 – 2018
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees

CC Sabathia
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.72	86	509	509	237	146	3.7	3470	38	12	0	1487	1364	1009	2846	20.6%	1.25

Tim Hudson

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1999 – 2015
Teams: Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants

Tim Hudson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
57.17	83	482	479	222	133	3.49	3126.2	26	13	0	1319	1213	917	2080	16.0%	1.239

Cole Hamels

Age: 22 – 34
Years: 2006 – 2018
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs

Cole Hamels
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.44	81	395	394	156	114	3.4	2553	17	7	0	1036	964	710	2415	23.0%	1.17

Dizzy Dean

Age: 20, 22 – 31, 37
Years: 1930, 1932 – 1941, 1947
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns

Dizzy Dean
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
42.66	77	317	230	150	83	3.02	1967.1	154	26	30	774	661	453	1163	14.2%	1.205

Whitey Ford

Age: 21, 24 – 38
Years: 1950, 1953 – 1967
Teams: New York Yankees

Whitey Ford
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.89	75	498	438	236	106	2.75	3170.1	156	45	10	1107	967	1086	1956	15.0%	1.215

Roy Oswalt

Age: 23 – 35
Years: 2001 – 2013
Teams: Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies

Roy Oswalt
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.87	79	365	341	163	102	3.36	2245.1	20	8	0	897	838	520	1852	19.9%	1.211

Andy Pettitte

Age: 23 – 38, 40 -41
Years: 1995 – 2010, 2012 – 2013
Teams: New York Yankees, Houston Astros

Andy Pettitte
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.94	86	531	521	256	153	3.85	3316	26	4	0	1572	1418	1031	2448	17.4%	1.350

Hippo Vaughn

Age: 20, 22 – 33
Years: 1908, 1910 – 1921
Teams: New York Yankees, Washingotn Senators, Chicago Cubs

Hippo Vaughn
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
46.56	83	390	331	178	137	2.49	2730	215	41	5	1039	754	817	1416	12.1%	1.200

Billy Pierce

Age: 18, 21 – 37
Years: 1945, 1948 – 1964
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants

Billy Pierce
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.05	84	585	432	211	169	3.27	3306.2	193	38	32	1325	1201	1178	1999	14.4%	1.260

Don Sutton

Age: 21 – 43
Years: 1966 – 1988
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, California Angels

Don Sutton
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.67	92	774	756	324	256	3.26	5282	178	58	5	2104	1914	1343	3574	16.5%	1.142

Lefty Gomez

Age: 21 – 34
Years: 1930 – 1943
Teams: New York Yankees, Washingotn Senators

Lefty Gomez
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
43.07	79	368	320	189	102	3.34	2503	173	28	9	1091	930	1095	1468	13.7%	1.352

Felix Hernandez

Age: 19 – 32
Years: 2005 – 2018
Teams: Seattle Mariners

Felix Hernandez
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.99	83	404	403	168	128	3.34	2658	25	11	0	1099	986	780	2467	22.5%	1.20

Tommy Bridges

Age: 23 – 36, 38 – 39
Years: 1930 – 1943, 1945 – 1946
Teams: Detroit Tigers

Tommy Bridges
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
52.52	80	424	362	194	138	3.57	2826.1	200	33	10	1321	1122	1192	1674	13.8%	1.368

Noodles Hahn

Age: 20 – 27
Years: 1899 – 1906
Teams: Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees

Noodles Hahn
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.92	75	243	231	130	94	2.55	2029.1	212	25	0	822	574	381	917		1.132

Mark Buehrle

Age: 21 – 36
Years: 2000 – 2015
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays

Mark Buehrle
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
59.18	87	518	493	214	160	3.81	3283.1	33	10	0	1542	1391	734	1870	13.6%	1.281

Ron Guidry

Age: 24 – 37
Years: 1975 – 1988
Teams: New York Yankees

Ron Guidry
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.85	83	368	323	170	91	3.29	2392	95	26	4	953	874	633	1778	18.2%	1.183

Babe Adams

Age: 24 – 25, 27 – 34, 36 – 44
Years: 1906 – 1907, 1909 – 1916, 1918 – 1926
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates

Babe Adams
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.52	86	482	355	194	140	2.76	2995.1	206	44	15	1129	917	430	1036	7.0%	1.092

Jimmy Key

Age: 23 – 37
Years: 1984 – 1998
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles

Jimmy Key
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.38	82	470	389	186	117	3.51	2591.2	34	13	10	1104	1010	668	1538	14.4%	1.229

Frank Tanana

Age: 19 – 39
Years: 1973 – 1993
Teams: California Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees

Frank Tanana
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
57.51	94	638	616	240	236	3.66	4188.1	143	34	1	1910	1704	1255	2773	15.7%	1.269

Dizzy Trout

Age: 24 – 37, 42
Years: 1939 – 1952, 1957
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles

Dizzy Trout
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
46.1	81	521	322	170	161	3.23	2725.2	158	28	35	1166	979	1046	1256	10.8%	1.352

Jerry Koosman

Age: 24 – 42
Years: 1967 – 1985
Teams: New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies

Jerry Koosman
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
57.06	91	612	527	222	209	3.36	3839.1	140	33	17	1608	1433	1198	2556	16.0%	1.258

Tommy John

Age: 20 – 31, 33 – 46
Years: 1963 – 1974, 1976 – 1989
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, Oakland Athletics

Tommy John
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
62.31	90	760	700	288	231	3.34	4710.1	162	46	4	2017	1749	1259	2245	11.4%	1.282

Wilbur Cooper

Age: 20 – 34
Years: 1912 – 1926
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers

Wilbur Cooper
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49	86	517	408	216	178	2.89	3480	279	35	14	1406	1119	853	1252	8.5%	1.226

Eppa Rixey

Age: 21 – 26, 28 – 42
Years: 1912 – 1917, 1919 – 1933
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds

Eppa Rixey
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.81	88	692	552	266	251	3.15	4494.2	290	37	14	1986	1572	1082	1350	6.7%	1.271

Frank Viola

Age: 22 – 36
Years: 1982 – 1996
Teams: Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays

Frank Viola
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.36	90	421	420	176	150	3.73	2836.1	74	16	0	1303	1175	864	1844	15.5%	1.301

Orel Hershiser

Age: 24 – 41
Years: 1983 – 2000
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets

Orel Hershiser
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
51.74	89	510	466	204	150	3.48	3130.1	68	25	5	1366	1211	1007	2014	15.3%	1.260

Cliff Lee

Age: 23 – 35
Years: 2002 – 2014
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers

Cliff Lee
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
43.28	84	328	324	143	91	3.52	2156.2	29	12	0	923	843	464	1824	20.5%	1.196

Jack Quinn

Age: 25 – 31, 34 – 49
Years: 1909 – 1915, 1918 – 1933
Teams: New York Highlanders / Yankees, Boston Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Brooklyn Robins / Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds

Jack Quinn
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
59.04	89	756	444	247	218	3.29	3920.1	243	28	57	1835	1433	860	1329	6.9%	1.300

Dutch Leonard

Age: 24 – 27, 29 – 44
Years: 1933 – 1936, 1938 – 1953
Teams: Brooklyn Dodgers, Washingotn Senators, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs

Dutch Leonard
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
51.35	84	640	374	191	181	3.25	3218.1	192	30	44	1432	1162	737	1170	8.7%	1.255

Mark Langston

Age: 23 – 38
Years: 1984 – 1999
Teams: Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, California Angels, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians

Mark Langston
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.3	93	457	428	179	158	3.97	2963	81	18	0	1438	1306	1289	2464	19.6%	1.354

Sam McDowell

Age: 18 – 32
Years: 1961 – 1975
Teams: Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates

Sam McDowell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
42.94	90	425	346	141	134	3.17	2492.1	103	23	14	999	879	1312	2453	23.2%	1.308

Mel Harder

Age: 18 – 37
Years: 1928 – 1947
Teams: Cleveland Indians

Mel Harder
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.94	90	582	433	223	186	3.8	3426.1	181	25	23	1714	1447	1118	1160	7.8%	1.408

Harry Brecheen

Age: 25, 28 – 38
Years: 1940, 1943 – 1953
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns

Harry Brecheen
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
41.35	75	318	240	133	92	2.92	1907.2	125	25	18	701	618	536	901	11.5%	1.188

Bucky Walters

Age: 25 – 39, 41
Years: 1934 – 1948, 1950
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves

Bucky Walters
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
46.39	87	428	398	198	160	3.3	3104.2	242	42	4	1343	1139	1121	1107	8.4%	1.324

Larry Jackson

Age: 24 – 37
Years: 1955 – 1968
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies

Larry Jackson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
52.52	90	558	429	194	183	3.4	3262.2	149	37	20	1405	1233	824	1709	12.6%	1.235

Brandon Webb

Age: 24 – 30
Years: 2003 – 2009
Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks

Brandon Webb
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
33.29	72	199	198	87	62	3.27	1319.2	15	8	0	557	479	435	1065	19.3%	1.239

Dwight Gooden

Age: 19 – 29, 31 – 35
Years: 1984 – 1994, 1996 – 2000
Teams: New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Dwight Gooden
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
48.18	90	430	410	194	112	3.51	2800.2	68	24	3	1198	1091	954	2293	19.6%	1.256

Steve Rogers

Age: 23 – 35
Years: 1973 – 1985
Teams: Montreal Expos

Steve Rogers
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.34	87	399	393	158	152	3.18	2837.2	129	37	2	1122	1001	876	1621	13.9%	1.231

Red Ruffing

Age: 19 – 37, 40 – 42
Years: 1924 – 1942, 1945 – 1947
Teams: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox

Red Ruffing
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
55.36	91	624	536	273	225	3.8	4344	335	45	16	2117	1833	1541	1987	10.7%	1.340

tagged with Addie Joss, Andy Pettitte, Babe Adams, Bert Blyleven, Billy Pierce, Bob Feller, Bob Gibson, Brandon Webb, Bret Saberhagen, Bucky Walters, Carl Hubbell, CC Sabathia, Chris Sale, Christy Mathewson, Chuck Finley, Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Curt Schilling, Cy Young, Dave Stieb, David Cone, Dazzy Vance, Dizzy Dean, Dizzy Trout, Don Drysdale, Don Sutton, Dutch Leonard, Dwight Gooden, Ed Walsh, Eddie Cicotte, Eddie Plank, Eppa Rixey, Felix Hernandez, Fergie Jenkins, Frank Tanana, Frank Viola, Gaylord Perry, Greg Maddux, Hal Newhouser, Harry Brecheen, Hippo Vaughn, Jack Quinn, Jerry Koosman, Jim Bunning, Jim Palmer, Jimmy Key, Joe McGinnity, Johan Santana, John Smoltz, Juan Marichal, Justin Verlander, Kevin Appier, Kevin Brown, Kid Nichols, Larry Jackson, Lefty Gomez, Lefty Grove, Luis Tiant, Mark Buehrle, Mark Langston, Max Scherzer, Mel Harder, Mike Mussina, Mordecai Brown, Nap Rucker, Nolan Ryan, Noodles Hahn, Orel Hershiser, Pedro Martinez, Pete Alexander, Phil Niekro, Randy Johnson, Red Faber, Red Ruffing, Rick Reuschel, Robin Roberts, Roger Clemens, Ron Guidry, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Rube Waddell, Sam McDowell, Sandy Koufax, Stan Coveleski, Steve Carlton, Steve Rogers, Ted Lyons, Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, Tom Seaver, Tommy Bridges, Tommy John, Urban Shocker, Vic Willis, Walter Johnson, Warren Spahn, Wes Ferrell, Whitey Ford, Wilbur Cooper, Zack Greinke

2 comments

Max Foobar
June 6, 2019 10:02 pm

Here’s a fun guessing game. Try and find the greatest southpaw pitcher of the modern era. Do you think Sandy Koufax in the top 10? Strike 1! Top 20? Strike 2! Top 30? Swing-and-a-miss, take a seat! So Sandy Koufax ranks BELOW such all-time greats as Mike Messina and Kevin Brown??

I’m not wasting any more time on this site. Adios!

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Dan Holmes
September 5, 2019 2:39 pm

I admire anyone who has the guts to out together a thoughtful list of the 100 greatest players of all-time. It’s easy to criticize the list, but very hard to create them. I know this from experience.

I’m curious how you defined your criteria? Did you place an emphasis more on peak performance or career value? For example, you have Ed Walsh, who only made about 300 starts, ahead of Warren Spahn and Robin Roberts, two great pitchers who started more than 600 games. But on the other hand, you have Gaylord Perry ahead of Bob Feller. Clearly, to my most people, Feller had a much higher peak than Perry. He was also robbed of his prime years due to WWII. Did you make adjustments for any of that?

Thanks for publishing these lists.

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