In defining what the “modern” era means, this list begins at the 1969 season, the “divisional” era, when the MLB expanded to two divisions of 12 teams. Here are the 20 greatest MLB pitchers of the modern baseball era.
20. Zack Greinke
As of 2024, Zack Greinke, 40, a two-time MLB ERA leader, remains a free agent. He’s pitched for seven different MLB teams. Greinke has a Cy Young Award, six Golden Glove Awards, and Two Silver Slugger Awards. He’s a six-time All-Star. Greinke’s career stats are 225-156, 3.49 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 2,979 K, and 3,389.1 IP.
19. Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro was nicknamed “Knucksie.” He is the only knuckleballer to win 300 or more games. On August 5, 1973, he pitched a no-hitter. He’s a two-time wins leader, five-time All-Star, five-time Golden Glove Award winner, 1967 ERA and 1977 strikeout leader. Niekro’s career stats are 318-274, 3.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3342 K, and 5404.1 IP.
18. Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine is a ten-time All-Star, a World Series champion, a five-time NL wins leader, and the 1995 World Series MVP. He has won two Cy Young Awards and four Silver Slugger Awards. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. Glavine’s career stats are 305-203, 3.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 2607 K, and 4413.1 IP.
17. Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a two-time All-Star and World Series champion. He was the AL strikeout leader in 1985 and fifth on the all-time strikeouts list. He’s considered to have thrown one of the best curveballs in baseball history. On September 22, 1977, Blyleven pitched a no-hitter. Blyleven’s career stats are 287-250, 3.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 3,701 K, and 4,970 IP.
16. Fergie Jenkins
Fergie Jenkins won the Cy Young Award in 1971. He’s a two-time wins leader and was the 1969 NL strikeouts leader, as well as a three-time All-Star. He won 20 games six years in a row pitching for some substandard Cubs teams. Jenkins’ career stats are 284-226, 3.34 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3,192K, and 4500.2 IP.
15. Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina was the wins leader in 1995. He has seven Golden Glove Awards and was a five-time All-Star. In his 18-year career, he finished in the top 10 in AL Cy Young voting nine times. Mussina’s career stats are 270-153, 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 2,813 K, 3,562.2 IP, and 82.8 WAR.
14. Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Perry won the Cy Young award twice, the second time at age 40. He’s a five-time All-Star and a three-time wins leader. Perry pitched a no-hitter on September 17, 1968. He’s one of only thirteen pitchers in MLB history to throw at least 5000 innings. Perry’s career stats are 314-265, 3.11 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 3,534 K, and 5350.1 IP.
13. Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay is an eight-time All-Star and one of only six pitchers to win a Cy Young in both leagues. He has two wins titles, pitched a postseason no-hitter on October 6, 2010, and pitched a perfect game on May 29, 2010. Halladay’s stats are 2003-105, 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2,117 K, and 2,749.1 IP.
12. Jim Palmer
During the 1970s, Jim Palmer won 20 games eight times. He won three Cy Young awards, two ERA titles, three wins titles, and led the league in innings pitched four times during the 70s. He pitched a no-hitter on August 13, 1969. Palmer’s stats are 268-152, 2.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2,212 K, 3,948 IP.
11. Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling was a two-time MLB wins leader, won two NL strikeout titles, 1993 NLCS MVP, 2001 World Series MVP, three-time World Series champion, and a six-time All-Star. His career stats are 216-146, 3.46 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3,116 K, 3261 IP. His postseason stats are 11-2, a 2.23 ERA, 133.1 IP, and a 2.06 ERA in seven World Series games.
10. Max Scherzer
Still active, Max Scherzer, 40, helped lead the Rangers to a World Series title in 2023. This future Hall of Famer has won three Cy Young awards, three strikeout titles, and is an eight-time All-Star. His stats as of 2023 were: 201-102, 3.11 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP, 3,193 K, 2,682.0 IP, 70.7 WAR.
9. Justin Verlander
Still active, 41-year-old Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer. He’s won three Cy Young awards, five strikeout titles, two ERA titles, the 2011 AL MVP, and a nine-time All-Star. He had a stellar year in 2022 at age 39. His career stats as of 2023 were: 244-133, 3.24 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP, 3,198 K, 3,163.0 IP, 78.1 WAR.
8. Steve Carlton
Steve “Lefty” Carlton was a ten-time All-Star and one of only four pitchers in MLB history to win at least four Cy Young awards. He’s second among southpaws in strikeouts, wins, and walks allowed. Carlton won five strikeout titles and one ERA title. His career stats are 329-244, 3.22 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 4,136 K, 5,217.2 IP, 84.1 WAR.
7. Nolan Ryan
Over a record 27-year playing career, “the Ryan Express” threw consistent 100 MPH fastballs. Ryan holds MLB career records for 5,714 strikeouts, seven no-hitters, and most walks allowed 2,795. He’s an eight-time All-Star and won 11 strikeout titles and two ERA titles. Ryan’s career stats are 324-292, 3.19 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 5,714 K, 5,386.0 IP, 83.6 WAR.
6. Tom Seaver
The headliner of the 1970s Golden Age of pitching was Tom Seaver. He was a twelve-time All-Star and won three Cy Young awards, three ERA titles, and five strikeout titles. He took a fledgling Mets to the World Series. He remains the Mets’ all-time leader in wins. Seaver’s stats are 311-205, 2.86 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP, 3,640 K, 4,783.0 IP, 106.0 WAR.
5. Clayton Kershaw
Still active, Clayton Kershaw is a ten-time All-Star and has three NL wins titles, five ERA titles, three strikeout titles, 2014 NL MVP, and 13 Cy Young awards. If he retired today, he’d be Hall of Fame-bound. Kershaw’s career stats as of 2023 were 197-87, 2.48 ERA (157 ERA+), 1.00 WHIP, 2,807 K, 2,581.0 IP, 73.1 WAR.
4. Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens has 17 Cy Young awards, seven ERA titles, five strikeout titles, was the 1986 AL MVP, and an eleven-time All-Star. Allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs have kept Clemens from earning a Baseball Hall of Fame induction. His career stats are 354-184, 3.12 ERA (143 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP, 4,672 K, 4,916.2 IP, 138.7 WAR.
3. Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson, “the big unit,” was the tallest player in MLB history at 6’10”. His fastball regularly reached triple digits. Johnson won the Cy Young Award five times, the ERA title four times, the strikeout title nine times, and was a ten-time All-Star. His career stats are 303-166, 3.29 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP, 4,875 K, 4,135.1 IP, 103.5 WAR.
2. Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux kept hitters off-balance with a low 90s fastball and a mix of offspeed stuff. He won four straight NL Cy Young Awards, took the ERA title four times, and was an eight-time All-Star. Maddux only walked 999 batters; 177 were intentional. His career stats are 355-227, 3.16 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP, 3,371 K, 5,008.1 IP, 104.8 WAR.
1. Pedro MartÃnez
Pedro Martinez, at his peak, was one of the most overpowering pitchers baseball has ever seen. He won three Cy Young awards, took home the ERA title five times, the strikeouts title three times, and was an eight-time All-Star. His career stats are 219-100, 2.93 ERA (154 ERA+), 1.05 WHIP, 3,154 K, 2,827.1 IP, and 86.1 WAR.