All-Time MLB Strikeouts Leaders

Nolan Ryan is the all-time MLB leader in strikeouts with 5,714, 839 clear of Randy Johnson (4,875). He did it in 27 seasons, from 1966 to 1993. The top ten runs from 5,714 down to 3,534.

All-time MLB leader Nolan Ryan 1966–1993 · 27 seasons

5,714 Strikeouts 839 clear of Randy Johnson

Showing Strikeouts and the stats that give it context Full stat line

#	Player	Seasons	SO	W	L	ERA	IP
1	Nolan Ryan	1966–1993 (27)	5,714	324	292	3.19	5386.0
2	Randy Johnson	1988–2009 (22)	4,875	303	166	3.29	4135.1
3	Roger Clemens	1984–2007 (24)	4,672	354	184	3.12	4916.2
4	Steve Carlton	1965–1988 (24)	4,136	329	244	3.22	5217.1
5	Bert Blyleven	1970–1992 (22)	3,701	287	250	3.31	4970.0
6	Tom Seaver	1967–1986 (20)	3,640	311	205	2.86	4782.2
7	Don Sutton	1966–1988 (23)	3,574	324	256	3.26	5282.1
8	Justin Verlander	2005–2026 (21)	3,560	266	159	3.33	3576.2
9	Max Scherzer	2008–2026 (19)	3,557	225	126	3.29	3047.2
10	Gaylord Perry	1962–1983 (22)	3,534	314	265	3.11	5350.1
11	Walter Johnson	1907–1927 (21)	3,509	417	279	2.17	5914.2
12	Greg Maddux	1986–2008 (23)	3,371	355	227	3.16	5008.1
13	Phil Niekro	1964–1987 (24)	3,342	318	274	3.35	5404.1
14	Fergie Jenkins	1965–1983 (19)	3,192	284	226	3.34	4500.2
15	Pedro Martinez	1992–2009 (18)	3,154	219	100	2.93	2827.1
16	Bob Gibson	1959–1975 (17)	3,117	251	174	2.91	3884.1
17	Curt Schilling	1988–2007 (20)	3,116	216	146	3.46	3261.0
18	CC Sabathia	2001–2019 (19)	3,093	251	161	3.74	3577.1
19	John Smoltz	1988–2009 (21)	3,084	213	155	3.33	3473.0
20	Clayton Kershaw	2008–2025 (18)	3,052	223	96	2.53	2855.1
21	Zack Greinke	2004–2023 (20)	2,979	225	156	3.49	3389.1
22	Jim Bunning	1955–1971 (17)	2,855	224	184	3.27	3760.1
23	Mickey Lolich	1963–1979 (16)	2,832	217	191	3.44	3638.1
24	Mike Mussina	1991–2008 (18)	2,813	270	153	3.68	3562.2
25	Cy Young	1890–1911 (22)	2,803	511	315	2.63	7356.0
26	Chris Sale	2010–2026 (16)	2,779	159	97	2.95	2246.2
27	Frank Tanana	1973–1993 (21)	2,773	240	236	3.66	4188.1
28	David Cone	1986–2003 (17)	2,668	194	126	3.46	2898.2
29	Chuck Finley	1986–2002 (17)	2,610	200	173	3.85	3197.1
30	Tom Glavine	1987–2008 (22)	2,607	305	203	3.54	4413.1
31	Warren Spahn	1942–1965 (21)	2,583	363	245	3.09	5243.2
32	Bob Feller	1936–1956 (18)	2,581	266	162	3.25	3827.0
33	Tim Keefe	1880–1893 (14)	2,564	342	225	2.63	5049.2
34	Cole Hamels	2006–2020 (15)	2,560	163	122	3.43	2698.0
35	Jerry Koosman	1967–1985 (19)	2,556	222	209	3.36	3839.1
36	Javier Vazquez	1998–2011 (14)	2,536	165	160	4.22	2840.0
37	Bartolo Colon	1997–2018 (21)	2,535	247	188	4.12	3461.2
38	Felix Hernandez	2005–2019 (15)	2,524	169	136	3.42	2729.2
39	A. J. Burnett	1999–2015 (17)	2,513	164	157	3.99	2731.1
40	Christy Mathewson	1900–1916 (17)	2,507	373	188	2.13	4788.2
41	Jon Lester	2006–2021 (16)	2,488	200	117	3.66	2740.0
42	Don Drysdale	1956–1969 (14)	2,486	209	166	2.95	3432.0
43	Jack Morris	1977–1994 (18)	2,478	254	186	3.90	3824.0
44	Mark Langston	1984–1999 (16)	2,464	179	158	3.97	2962.2
45	Jim Kaat	1959–1983 (25)	2,461	283	237	3.45	4530.1
46	Sam McDowell	1961–1975 (15)	2,453	141	134	3.17	2492.1
47	Andy Pettitte	1995–2013 (18)	2,448	256	153	3.85	3316.0
48	Jamie Moyer	1986–2012 (25)	2,441	269	209	4.25	4074.0
49	Luis Tiant	1964–1982 (19)	2,416	229	172	3.30	3486.1
50	Dennis Eckersley	1975–1998 (24)	2,401	197	171	3.50	3285.2

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