In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 300 strikeout club is a group of pitchers who have struck out 300 or more batters in a single season. In the modern era (post-1900), 19 different pitchers have reached the 300 strikeout mark 38 times as of the MLB season.
Since 1900, Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson have recorded the most 300-strikeout seasons, with six each. The highest total in a 300-strikeout season is by Ryan with 383, followed by Sandy Koufax with 382. Rube Waddell was the first pitcher to record multiple 300-strikeout seasons, with two. Koufax and Curt Schilling each recorded three 300-strikeout seasons, followed by two each by Waddell, Sam McDowell, Walter Johnson, J. R. Richard, and Pedro Martínez.
In the pre-modern era, with a mound closer to home plate and constant rule changes, strikeouts were more common. Between 1880 and 1900, 23 different pitchers recorded 300 strikeouts or more 31 times. Six pitchers recording multiple 300-strikeout seasons; Tim Keefe and Amos Rusie each recorded three 300-strikeout seasons; Charles Radbourn, Ed Morris, John Clarkson, and Toad Ramsey each recorded two. Matt Kilroy holds the overall single-season strikeout record with 513, the only one to strike out 500 batters in a season; five other pitchers also recorded 400 or more strikeouts in a season, four of which occurred in the season.
Members
+KeyYearThe year the player's 300 strikeout season occurredPlayerName of the player and number of strikeout seasons they had accomplished at that pointTeamThe player's team for his 300 strikeout seasonKsNumber of strikeouts in that season^Denotes single-season strikeout record progressionElected to the Baseball Hall of FamePlayer is active
Modern era +YearPlayerTeamKsPhiladelphia Athletics302 Philadelphia Athletics349Washington Senators313 Washington Senators303Cleveland Indians348Los Angeles Dodgers306 Los Angeles Dodgers382Cleveland Indians325 Los Angeles Dodgers317 Cleveland Indians304Oakland Athletics301Detroit Tigers308Philadelphia Phillies310California Angels329 California Angels383 California Angels367 California Angels327 California Angels341Houston Astros303 Houston Astros313Houston Astros306 Texas Rangers301Seattle Mariners308Montreal Expos305Philadelphia Phillies319 Seattle MarinersHouston Astros329 Philadelphia Phillies300 Arizona Diamondbacks364 Boston Red Sox313 Arizona Diamondbacks347 Arizona Diamondbacks372 Arizona Diamondbacks334 Arizona Diamondbacks316Los Angeles Dodgers301Boston Red Sox308Washington Nationals300Houston Astros326Houston Astros300
Pre-modern era
+YearPlayerTeamKsNew York Metropolitans359Boston Beaneaters345Providence Grays315Chicago BrownsWashington Nationals483Boston RedsProvidence Grays451 Providence Grays441Boston Beaneaters417Louisville Eclipse385Baltimore Monumentals374Buffalo Bisons369Baltimore Orioles346New York Gothams345Cleveland BluesCincinnati Outlaw Reds343Providence GraysSt. Louis Maroons337 New York Metropolitans334Toledo Blue Stockings325Indianapolis Hoosiers308Columbus Buckeyes302Chicago White Stockings308Baltimore Orioles513Louisville Colonels499 Pittsburgh Alleghenys326Detroit Wolverines323 Chicago White Stockings313 Louisville Colonels355 New York Giants335Columbus Solons368New York Giants341 New York Giants337Chicago Colts368 New York Giants304
See also List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
References
External links Single Season Leaders for Strikeouts at Baseball Almanac Single-Season Leaders & Records for Strikeouts at Baseball Reference