Most Career Strikeouts by a Pitcher in MLB History: All-Time Leaders

Career

Includes the 2026 season through October 9, 2026

This board follows the record MLB adopted in 2024, when the statistics of the seven recognised Negro Leagues (1920–1948) became part of the official record. Because a Negro Leagues season ran roughly 69 games to the American and National Leagues’ 149, the career qualification is prorated from 3,000 at-bats to 1,389 for careers played mainly in those leagues, and from 400 plate appearances to 185 for a single Negro Leagues season. The all-time AL & NL board uses the traditional 3,000-at-bat rule and excludes Negro Leagues records.

As of October 9, 2026, the all-time leader in Strikeouts is Nolan Ryan with 5,714. Randy Johnson is second with 4,875 and Roger Clemens is third with 4,672. This page ranks the top 100 players in Strikeouts.

SO (Strikeouts):
For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.

Data updated

Nolan Ryan holds the all-time MLB career strikeout record with 5,714 strikeouts, ahead of Randy Johnson (4,875) and Roger Clemens (4,672).

Rankings cover the top 100 players in MLB history.

Top 10 SO

Career. Click a bar to view the player.

Most Career Strikeouts by a Pitcher in MLB History: All-Time Leaders (AL/NL + Negro Leagues Combined)
Rank Player SO Trend
1 Nolan Ryan 5,714
2 Randy Johnson 4,875
3 Roger Clemens 4,672
4 Steve Carlton 4,136
5 Bert Blyleven 3,701
6 Tom Seaver 3,640
7 Don Sutton 3,574
8 Justin Verlander 3,560
9 Max Scherzer 3,557
10 Gaylord Perry 3,534
11 Walter Johnson 3,509
12 Greg Maddux 3,371
13 Phil Niekro 3,342
14 Fergie Jenkins 3,192
15 Pedro Martinez 3,154
16 Bob Gibson 3,117
17 Curt Schilling 3,116
18 CC Sabathia 3,093
19 John Smoltz 3,084
20 Clayton Kershaw 3,052
21 Zack Greinke 2,979
22 Jim Bunning 2,855
23 Mickey Lolich 2,832
24 Mike Mussina 2,813
25 Cy Young 2,803
26 Chris Sale 2,779
27 Frank Tanana 2,773
28 David Cone 2,668
29 Chuck Finley 2,610
30 Tom Glavine 2,607
31 Warren Spahn 2,583
32 Bob Feller 2,581
33 Tim Keefe 2,564
34 Cole Hamels 2,560
35 Jerry Koosman 2,556
36 Javier Vazquez 2,536
37 Bartolo Colon 2,535
38 Felix Hernandez 2,524
39 A. J. Burnett 2,513
40 Christy Mathewson 2,507
41 Jon Lester 2,488
42 Don Drysdale 2,486
43 Jack Morris 2,478
44 Mark Langston 2,464
45 Jim Kaat 2,461
46 Sam McDowell 2,453
47 Andy Pettitte 2,448
48 Jamie Moyer 2,441
49 Luis Tiant 2,416
50 Dennis Eckersley 2,401
51 Kevin Brown 2,397
52 Sandy Koufax 2,396
53 Gerrit Cole 2,382
54 Charlie Hough 2,362
55 Robin Roberts 2,357
56 Early Wynn 2,334
57 Rube Waddell 2,316
58 Juan Marichal 2,303
59 John Lackey 2,294
60 Dwight Gooden 2,293
61 Lefty Grove 2,266
62 Eddie Plank 2,246
63 Tommy John 2,245
64 James Shields 2,234
65 Jim Palmer 2,212
66 Jake Peavy 2,207
67 Adam Wainwright 2,202
68 David Wells 2,201
69 Pete Alexander 2,198
70 Charlie Morton 2,196
71 Vida Blue 2,175
72 Camilo Pascual 2,167
73 Tim Wakefield 2,156
74 Dennis Martinez 2,149
75 Kevin Gausman 2,138
76 Roy Halladay 2,117
77 Kevin Millwood 2,083
78 Bobo Newsom 2,082
79 Tim Hudson 2,080
80 David Price 2,076
T-81 Yu Darvish 2,075
T-81 Ryan Dempster 2,075
T-83 Sonny Gray 2,074
T-83 Fernando Valenzuela 2,074
85 Madison Bumgarner 2,070
86 Aaron Nola 2,053
87 Jacob deGrom 2,052
88 Dazzy Vance 2,045
T-89 Lance Lynn 2,015
T-89 Rick Reuschel 2,015
91 Orel Hershiser 2,014
T-92 Dan Haren 2,013
T-92 Zack Wheeler 2,013
94 Catfish Hunter 2,012
95 Andy Benes 2,000
96 Billy Pierce 1,999
97 Kevin Appier 1,994
98 Johan Santana 1,988
99 Red Ruffing 1,987
100 John Clarkson 1,978

Reading the career Strikeouts board (combined view)

The board ends at rank 100 with John Clarkson at 1,978. By decade, the 2000s and 1980s are the best represented, while the list as a whole spans the 1880s through the 2020s. At the top of the table is Nolan Ryan, with 5,714. Randy Johnson is next at 4,875. No Negro Leagues entry reaches this board even with the prorated qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the most career pitching strikeouts?
Nolan Ryan — 5,714 strikeouts. Next are Randy Johnson (4,875) and Roger Clemens (4,672).
How many career strikeouts did Nolan Ryan record?
Nolan Ryan recorded 5,714 strikeouts — the highest mark on this leaderboard.
Who else ranks in the top 5 for career pitching strikeouts?
1. Nolan Ryan (5,714); 2. Randy Johnson (4,875); 3. Roger Clemens (4,672); 4. Steve Carlton (4,136); 5. Bert Blyleven (3,701).
How many players are ranked on this leaderboard?
This page lists the top 100 players by career pitching strikeouts, from Nolan Ryan at 5,714 down to John Clarkson at 1,978.