Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by Amber Heard
Most Strikeouts in a Game MLB most Strikeouts in a Game 2022
Most Strikeouts in a Game MLB most Strikeouts in a Game 2022, Most big league pitchers dream of one day reaching the strikeout record for a single game. But even though strikeouts are much more common than they used to be, this is still very difficult to do.
Only a handful of MLB pitchers have ever come close to hitting that mark. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Tom Seaver (1970)
On April 22nd, 1970 Tom Seaver threw 19 strikeouts, including ten straight to end the game. It was one of many pitching masterpieces from the Mets’ “Tom Terrific” during his 20-year career in New York.
He was a Rookie of the Year in 1967, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and a 12-time All-Star. He also holds several Mets’ single-season records.
Charlie Sweeney (1884)
Sweeney became the first player to strike out 19 batters in a game in 1884. Despite his success. however, his career was plagued with arm problems that limited his effectiveness.
Charlie was a hard-drinking, women-loving rock star who burned too bright and ended up in jail. For murder after his baseball career. He was convicted and served time at San Quentin.
Nolan Ryan (1999)
Nolan Ryan was the most striking player in the game, as well as one of the most prolific. He had 5,714 strikeouts in his 27-year major league career, and he also pitched seven no-hitters.
The film Facing Nolan tries to contextualize this long and complicated career. It shows Nolan Ryan’s impact on baseball through interviews with teammates and opponents.
A native of Refugio, Texas, Nolan Ryan was a member of the California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He had his uniform number retired by all three teams. Making him one of only two players in history to have his jersey retired by three different franchises.
Kerry Wood (1995)
On May 6, 1998, Kerry Wood was 20 years old. And making his fifth career start for the Chicago Cubs against a loaded Houston Astros team. That included two Hall of Famers (Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell) and former All-Stars (Moises Alou and Derek Bell).
With his electric pitch arsenal on display, Wood threw one of the greatest games in Major League history. He shut out the Astros on just one hit, walking no one and striking out 20 batters.
Max Scherzer (2016)
On May 11, 2016, Scherzer struck out 20 Detroit Tigers. And his former team, in a game that tied the record for most strikeouts by a pitcher in a single game. Held by Roger Clemens (twice), Randy Johnson, and Kerry Wood.
He also ranked among the best in the Major Leagues with an average of more than one strikeout per inning. He was the only starting pitcher to throw more than 20 strikeouts in a regulation game during 2016.
His unique pitching delivery is a distinctive feature of his style. He ends his follow-through with his head pointed directly at the ground and his right foot high in the air. It seems to provide him with additional velocity on his pitches.
Tom Cheney (1960)
On September 12, 1962, Tom Cheney set the Major League record for strikeouts in a game with a 21-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles. It took him 16 innings and 228 pitches, but he did it and the game is remembered to this day.
After a brief stint in Pittsburgh, Cheney was traded to Washington for Tom Sturdivant. He was a mediocre pitcher in Columbus but he made a big leap in his second season with the Senators. Winning four complete games and three shutouts while posting an ERA of 3.17.
