Fergie Jenkins vs Jerry Koosman: Career Stats Comparison
Fergie Jenkins has the better career line of the two, leading 8 of the 8 scored categories on this page (8 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Fergie Jenkins played 1965–1983 as a pitcher; Jerry Koosman played 1967–1985 as a pitcher.
- ERA (Earned Run Average):
- Earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched: (ER × 9) ÷ IP. The primary measure of pitching effectiveness.
- W (Wins):
- Games credited to a pitcher whose team took a lead it never surrendered while he was the pitcher of record.
- SO (Strikeouts):
- For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.
- WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched):
- Baserunners allowed per inning: (BB + H) ÷ IP. Under 1.00 is elite.
Data updated
Fergie Jenkins (1965–1983) and Jerry Koosman (1967–1985) — both debuted in the 1960s. Fergie Jenkins finished with 284 wins and 3,192 strikeouts; Jerry Koosman finished with 222 wins and 2,556 strikeouts. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Fergie Jenkins, in 8 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA? Fergie Jenkins, with 3.34 to Jerry Koosman's 3.36.
- Who won more games? Fergie Jenkins, with 284 to Jerry Koosman's 222.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Fergie Jenkins, with 3,192 to Jerry Koosman's 2,556.
- Who had the better WHIP? Fergie Jenkins, with 1.14 to Jerry Koosman's 1.26.
- How many innings did each pitch? Fergie Jenkins 4,500.2, Jerry Koosman 3,839.1.
- Who threw more shutouts? Fergie Jenkins, with 49 to Jerry Koosman's 33.
Fergie Jenkins
Jerry Koosman
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate. Cells highlighted in green mark the player who leads that line. Lower ERA, WHIP and BB/9 lead; higher K/9 leads. 8 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 8 are shown but not scored. Games, starts and innings measure playing time, and losses, walks and hits allowed track how long someone pitched, so they are left unmarked, as is any line where both players are at zero. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Fergie Jenkins | Jerry Koosman |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 284 | 222 |
| Losses not scored | 226 | 209 |
| Games not scored | 664 | 612 |
| Games Started not scored | 594 | 527 |
| Complete Games | Leads: 267 | 140 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 49 | 33 |
| Saves not scored | 7 | 17 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 3,192 | 2,556 |
| Walks not scored | 997 | 1,198 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 4,142 | 3,635 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 484 | 290 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 4,500.2 | 3,839.1 |
| ERA | Leads: 3.34 | 3.36 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.14 | 1.26 |
| K/9 | Leads: 6.38 | 5.99 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 1.99 | 2.81 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Jerry Koosman edges Fergie Jenkins 42,939 to 40,614 — driven by per-season impact — 2,260 PIV per season to 2,138 — rather than by longevity, since Jerry Koosman played 19 seasons to Fergie Jenkins's 19. PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Fergie Jenkins — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Jerry Koosman — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Fergie Jenkins leads 8 of the 8 scored categories on the head-to-head card: wins, complete games, shutouts, strikeouts, and others. Jerry Koosman leads 0: no scored category. On the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Fergie Jenkins. PIV, which is era-adjusted, grades Jerry Koosman higher. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Fergie Jenkins and Jerry Koosman careers compare
From 1967 through 1983, Fergie Jenkins and Jerry Koosman were in the majors together. The two careers are close in length, 664 games for Fergie Jenkins and 612 for Jerry Koosman across 19 and 19 PIV seasons, so the totals compare on fairly even terms. Every scored category on the table goes to Fergie Jenkins. By rate, Fergie Jenkins struck out 6.38 and walked 1.99 per nine innings; Jerry Koosman struck out 5.99 and walked 2.81. Fergie Jenkins was mainly a starter (594 starts in 664 games), and Jerry Koosman was mainly a starter (527 starts in 612 games). In WHIP, Fergie Jenkins's 1.14 beats Jerry Koosman's 1.26.
Fergie Jenkins vs Jerry Koosman: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Fergie Jenkins or Jerry Koosman?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Fergie Jenkins leads Jerry Koosman in 8 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 3.34 to Jerry Koosman's 3.36.
- Who won more games?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 284 to Jerry Koosman's 222.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 3,192 to Jerry Koosman's 2,556.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Fergie Jenkins, with 1.14 to Jerry Koosman's 1.26.