In Major League Baseball, the 300 win club is a term applied to the group of pitchers who have won 300 or more games in their careers. In Baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the Pitcher's mound toward the Catcher to begin each play with the goal of A win is a Statistic in Major League Baseball credited to the Pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when his team last took the lead There are currently 23 pitchers to have accomplished this feat. While the "300 club" is an informal group, becoming a member holds a special significance to pitchers and the baseball community in general. It is in fact among the highest career accomplishments a starting pitcher can achieve. This is evidenced by several members retiring soon after reaching the 300 win milestone (including two who retired with exactly 300 wins). In addition to being a badge of honor for pitchers, becoming a member virtually guarantees the pitcher a spot in the Hall of Fame, especially since the club is expected to gain few, if any, members in the foreseeable future.
Contents |
History
The club's "founding member" was Pud Galvin in 1888. James Francis "Pud" Galvin ( December 25, 1856 &ndash March 7, 1902) an American professional Baseball Baseball World Series - New York NL defeats St Louis AA 6 games to 4 Six pitchers entered the club in the 19th century, with a seventh (Cy Young) joining in 1901. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Denton True "Cy" Young (March 29 1867 – November 4 1955 was an American Baseball player who pitched for five different major league Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Early in the history of professional baseball, starting rotations of two men were commonplace, giving the best pitchers far more chances to earn wins than in today's game. Conversely, the rigor required for a two-man rotation meant that most pitching careers didn't last more than a decade or so (Cy Young being the major exception). In addition, the medical treatments then available were minimal; if a pitcher 'blew out his arm' then his career was over. Four more pitchers joined the club in the first quarter of the 20th century. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on
However, only three pitchers scored their 300th win between 1924 and 1982: Lefty Grove (1941), Warren Spahn (1961), and Early Wynn (1963). Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove ( March 6, 1900 &ndash May 22, 1975) was considered one of the greatest Pitchers in Major Warren Edward Spahn ( April 23, 1921 &ndash November 24, 2003) was an American left-handed Pitcher in Major League Early Wynn Jr, familiarly known as "Gus" Wynn, ( January 6, 1920 &ndash April 4, 1999) was a right-handed Baseball For Grove and Wynn it was the final win of their careers and each struggled in his last season to achieve it. This dearth of 300-game winners may be explained by the offensive explosion following the abolition of the spitball in 1921, changes in the ball itself, World War II military service (in the cases of Bob Feller and Red Ruffing), the growing importance of the home run in the game, and the lowering of the pitching mound following the 1968 season. A spitball is an illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of Saliva, Petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar Robert William Andrew "Bob" Feller (born November 3, 1918 in Van Meter Iowa) nicknamed the "Heater from Van Meter" and Charles Herbert "Red" Ruffing ( May 3 1905 - February 17 1986) was a Major League Baseball pitcher most remembered The Year of the Pitcher In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance caused by enforcing a larger strike zone (top of armpit As the home run became commonplace, the physical and mental demands on pitchers dramatically increased, leading to the use of a four-man starting rotation.
Then, in a mere eight years, between 1982 and 1990, the 300-win club gained six members — an increase of over 40%. Champions Major League Baseball World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals World Series MVP Darrell Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics (4-0 José Rijo, MVP This may be partly explained as a consequence of the era of free agency that began in the mid-1970s. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Free agency led to unheard-of player salaries, which encouraged older pitchers to stay in the game longer than they might have in the past. Another part of the explanation is the increasing sophistication of training methods and sports medicine, which have allowed players to maintain a high competitive level for a longer time. A very good example of this is Phil Niekro, who was still under 200 wins at his 40th birthday, yet finished his career, at the age of 48, with 318 wins. Philip Henry Niekro (born April 1, in Blaine Ohio) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Many of the pitchers who reached 300 wins in this era, such as Nolan Ryan, Don Sutton, and the aforementioned Niekro, had just a couple of 20+ win seasons and achieved the 300 mark by pitching well into their 40s (all 3 pitchers are in the Baseball Hall of Fame, however). Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in Donald Howard Sutton (born April 2, 1945) is a former Major League Baseball player and current Television Sportscaster.
Recent Decline in New Membership
Changes in the game in the last decade of the 20th century have made the 300-game winner an endangered species again, perhaps more so than during the mid 20th century. The four-man starting rotation has given way to a five-man rotation, which gives starting pitchers still fewer chances to pick up wins. The physical and mental demands on starting pitchers have also increased yet again, thanks to the explosion in offense that has taken place since the 1990s. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 As a result, managers are much quicker to put in relief pitchers than in the past, particularly after the starting pitcher has thrown more than 100 pitches, even when the starting pitcher is winning the game. This increases the likelihood that a pitcher not get a win because of circumstances beyond his control. To put it in perspective, the 2006 season was the first time in a non-strike-shortened season that no pitcher won twenty games [1]. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success
Members
| Pitcher | Wins | Date of 300th | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cy Young |
511 | July 3, 1901 | Cle (NL), Bos (AL), StL (NL), Bos (NL), Cle (AL), Bos (NL) |
| Walter Johnson |
417 | May 14, 1920 | Was (AL) |
| Grover Cleveland Alexander |
373 | September 20, 1924 | Phi (NL), Chi (NL), StL (NL) |
| Christy Mathewson |
373 | June 28, 1912 | NY Giants (NL), Cin |
| Warren Spahn |
363 | August 11, 1961 | Bos/Mil, NY Mets (NL), SF |
| Pud Galvin |
361 | June 4, 1888 | Buf, Pit (Amer. Denton True "Cy" Young (March 29 1867 – November 4 1955 was an American Baseball player who pitched for five different major league Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Walter Perry Johnson ( November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946) nicknamed "The Big Train" was an American right-handed Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Grover Cleveland "Old Pete" Alexander ( February 26, 1887 - November 4, 1950) was a Major League Baseball Pitcher Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Christopher "Christy" Mathewson ( August 12 1880 &ndash October 7 1925) nicknamed "Big Six" "The Christian Gentleman" Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Warren Edward Spahn ( April 23, 1921 &ndash November 24, 2003) was an American left-handed Pitcher in Major League Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. James Francis "Pud" Galvin ( December 25, 1856 &ndash March 7, 1902) an American professional Baseball Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Assoc. ), Pit (NL), Pit (Players League), StL (NL) |
| Kid Nichols |
361 | September 7, 1900 | Bos, StL, Phi (NL) |
| Roger Clemens |
354 | June 13, 2003 | Bos, Tor, NY (AL), Hou (NL), NY (AL) |
| Greg Maddux |
350 | August 7, 2004 | Chi (NL), Atl, Chi (NL), LA (NL), SD |
| Tim Keefe |
342 | June 4, 1890 | Troy, NY (Amer. Charles Augustus Nichols ( September 14, 1869 - April 11, 1953) better known as Kid Nichols, was a Major League Baseball Events 1251 BC - A Solar eclipse on this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes Greece. Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Timothy John "Tim" Keefe ( January 1 1857 &ndash April 23 1933) was an American pitcher in Major League Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Assoc. ), NY Giants (NL), Phi |
| Steve Carlton |
329 | September 23, 1983 | StL (NL), Phi, SF, Chi (AL), Cle, Min |
| John Clarkson |
328 | September 21, 1892 | Worc, Chi (NL), Bos (NL), Cle (NL) |
| Eddie Plank |
326 | September 11, 1915 | Phi (AL), StL (Fed. Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami Florida) is a former left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball, from to Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) John Gibson Clarkson ( July 1, 1861 &ndash February 4, 1909) was a right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball from Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Edward Stewart Plank ( August 31 1875 - February 24 1926) nicknamed "Gettysburg Eddie" was a Major League Baseball Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year League), StL (AL) |
| Nolan Ryan |
324 | July 31, 1990 | NY Mets (NL), Cal (AL), Hou (NL), Tex (AL) |
| Don Sutton |
324 | June 18, 1986 | LA (NL), Hou, Mil, Oak, Cal |
| Phil Niekro |
318 | October 6, 1985 | Mil/Atl (NL), NY (AL), Cle, Tor |
| Gaylord Perry |
314 | May 6, 1982 | SF, Cle, Tex, SD, NY (AL), Atl, Sea, KC |
| Tom Seaver |
311 | August 4, 1985 | NY Mets (NL), Cin, Chi (AL), Bos |
| Charles Radbourn |
310 | May 14, 1891 | Prov, Bos (NL), Bos (Players League), Cin |
| Mickey Welch |
307 | August 11, 1890 | Troy, NY Giants (NL) |
| Tom Glavine |
305 | August 5, 2007 | Atl, NY Mets (NL), Atl |
| Lefty Grove |
300 | July 25, 1941 | Phi (AL), Bos (AL) |
| Early Wynn |
300 | July 13, 1963 | Was, Cle, Chi (AL) |
Closest Active Players
| Pitcher | Wins | Teams | Date of Birth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Johnson |
288 | Mtl, Sea, Hou, Ari, NY (AL), Ari | 09/10/1963 |
| Mike Mussina |
259 | Bal, NY (AL) | 12/08/1968 |
| Jamie Moyer |
236 | Chi (NL), Tex, StL, Bal, Bos, Sea, Phi | 11/18/1962 |
Stats as of June 4, 2008. Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Donald Howard Sutton (born April 2, 1945) is a former Major League Baseball player and current Television Sportscaster. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Philip Henry Niekro (born April 1, in Blaine Ohio) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Gaylord Jackson Perry (born September 15 1938 in Williamston North Carolina) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball Pitcher who broke into the major leagues in and Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Charles Gardner "Old Hoss" Radbourn ( December 11, 1854 – February 5, 1897) was a Pitcher in Major League Baseball Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Year 1891 ( MDCCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Michael Francis Welch Born as Michael Francis Walsh ( July 4, 1859 - July 30, 1941) was a 19th century Major League Baseball Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove ( March 6, 1900 &ndash May 22, 1975) was considered one of the greatest Pitchers in Major Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Early Wynn Jr, familiarly known as "Gus" Wynn, ( January 6, 1920 &ndash April 4, 1999) was a right-handed Baseball Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For other people named Randy Johnson see Randy Johnson (disambiguation Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963 in Michael Cole Mussina (born December 8 1968 nicknamed Moose, is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher currently with the American League's Jamie Moyer (born November 18, 1962 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
See also
List of Major League Baseball leaders in games started
References and external links
- List at Baseball Reference
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