3000 strikeout club
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In Major League Baseball, the 3000 strikeout club is an informal term applied to the group of pitchers who have struck out 3000 or more batters in their careers.
The club's "founding member" was Walter Johnson in 1923, but he was the only pitcher to reach the milestone until Bob Gibson achieved his 3000th strikeout in 1974. Since then, ten more players have joined the club. This recent increase may be explained by the existence of more free-swinging hitters than before, corresponding with an increase in the number of home runs. Nevertheless, 3000 strikeouts remains a very notable feat, as there are only 12 members.
The club includes only 2 left-handed members, Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson.
The club
| Pitcher | Strikeouts | Date of 3000th | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Ryan | 5714 | July 4, 1980 | NY (NL), Cal, Hou, Tex |
| Roger Clemens† | 4317+ | July 5, 1998 | Bos, Tor, NY (AL), Hou |
| Randy Johnson† | 4153+ | September 10, 2000 | Mon, Sea, Hou, Ari |
| Steve Carlton | 4136 | April 29, 1981 | StL, Phi, SF, Chi (AL), Cle, Min |
| Bert Blyleven | 3701 | August 1, 1986 | Min, Tex, Pit, Cle, Cal |
| Tom Seaver | 3640 | April 18, 1981 | NY (NL), Cin, Chi (AL), Bos |
| Don Sutton | 3574 | June 24, 1983 | LA, Hou, Mil, Oak, Cal |
| Gaylord Perry | 3534 | October 1, 1978 | SF, Cle, Tex, SD, NY (AL), Atl, Sea, KC |
| Walter Johnson | 3509 | July 22, 1923 | Wash |
| Phil Niekro | 3342 | July 4, 1984 | Mil/Atl, NY (AL), Cle, Tor |
| Fergie Jenkins | 3192 | July 25, 1982 | Phi, Chi (NL), Tex, Bos |
| Bob Gibson | 3117 | July 17, 1974 | StL |
† still active