The 7 Best Pitchers in MLB of all time

Pitching is the main core of baseball. The game begins with pitching, and entirely builds the infield atmosphere for every person in the squad.

The position is an amazing blend of precision, focus, sturdy arms, speed, strong-headedness, and motion that makes a fine pitcher.

Over the years, Major League Baseball (MLB) has seen numerous outstanding pitchers. It was difficult to filter down to just the seven best pitchers despite all the talented pitchers that have played in MLB history.

So without any further ado, let’s get down with the deets of the 7 best pitchers in MLB of all time.

• Walter Johnson

Full name: Walter Perry Johnson

Born: November 6, 1887

Died: December 10, 1946 (aged 59)

Team(s): Washington Senators (1907–1927)

Position: Pitcher

Walter Johnson was a left-handed pitcher who is often viewed as one the greatest pitchers of all time in the baseballing world. The legendary pitcher from Humboldt, Kansas holds many pitching records, several of which continued to stay unsmashed even about ninety years after he retired from his career. 

Johnson, who had a twenty-one-year-long career in MLB entirely played for only one team which was the Washington Senators from 1907–1927 helped achieve many great things for the team. To this day, he remains the greatest pitcher of all time in MLB history.

• Christy Mathewson

Full name: Christopher Mathewson

Born: August 12, 1880

Died: October 7, 1925 (aged 45)

Team(s): New York Giants (1900–1916);

Cincinnati Reds (1916)

Position: Pitcher 

Christy Mathewson was considered one of the fiercest pitchers in the baseballing world, and secured the ranking in the all-time top ten in multiple key pitching categories, having victories, shutouts, and reaching run average. Mathewson was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of its first 5 members.

• Cy Young

Full name: Denton True “Cy” Young

Born: March 29, 1867

Died: November 4, 1955 (aged 88)

Team(s): Cleveland Spiders (1890–1898); St. Louis Perfectos / Cardinals (1899–1900); Boston Americans / Red Sox (1901–1908); Cleveland Naps (1909–1911); and Boston Rustlers (1911)

Position: Pitcher

Cy Young may be long gone but he left a legacy behind which is the Cy Young Award (named after him) in honor of Young as one the greatest pitchers to have ever played in MLB history. His records still stand to this day, unable to be broken by any player. Young throughout his career played for at least five teams and holds many MLB records for most wins (511), losses, innings pitched, starter, and full games. He also led his league to multiple wins and pitched three no-hitters, delivering a flawless match in 1904.

• Grover Cleveland Alexander

Full name: Grover Cleveland Alexander

Born: February 26, 1887

Died: November 4, 1950 (aged 63)

Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies (1911–1917); Chicago Cubs (1918–1926); St. Louis Cardinals (1926–1929); and Philadelphia Phillies (1930)

Position: Pitcher

Grover Cleveland Alexander nicknamed “Old Pete” is hands-down by far the greatest pitcher of his time. He was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938. Some of his accomplishments include being World Series champion (1926), three-time Triple Crown (1915, 1916, 1920), and six-time NL wins leader (1911, 1914–1917, 1920).

• Greg Maddux   

Full name: Gregory Alan Maddux

Born: April 14, 1966 (age 56)

Team(s): Chicago Cubs (1986–1992); Atlanta Braves (1993–2003); Chicago Cubs (2004–2006); Los Angeles Dodgers (2006); San Diego Padres (2007–2008); and Los Angeles Dodgers (2008)

Position: Pitcher

Greg Maddux played twenty-three seasons in MLB for four squads throughout his professional career. Maddux is widely recognized for his amazing achievements while he was a part of the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs. He won the World Series in 1995 with the Braves against the Cleveland Indians. He is the first player ever to accomplish several feats and records. He was also the first pitcher in MLB history to win the prestigious Cy Young Award for 4 times in a row. 

• Randy Johnson

Full name: Randall David Johnson

Born: September 10, 1963 (age 59)

Team(s): Montreal Expos (1988–1989); Seattle Mariners (1989–1998); Houston Astros (1998); Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2004); New York Yankees (2005–2006); Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2008); and San Francisco Giants (2009)

Position: Pitcher

Randy Johnson played for at least seven squads during his lengthy pro career. He was widely known as one of the most dominant pitchers of his time. Johnson in his career has 303 wins, ranking in the top 5 for the most wins for a lefty in MLB history.

• Tom Seaver   

Full name: George Thomas Seaver

Born: November 17, 1944

Died: August 31, 2020 (aged 75)

Team(s): New York Mets (1967–1977); Cincinnati Reds (1977–1982); New York Mets (1983); Chicago White Sox (1984–1986); and Boston Red Sox (1986)

Position: Pitcher

Tom Seaver played twenty seasons in MLB for New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox. He is best known as the iconic player in New York Mets history. He played a key role in securing their win in the World Series in 1969 against the Baltimore Orioles. He was also a three-time recipient of the NL Cy Young Award in 1969, 1973, and 1975. 

Here’s a list of the Oldest MLB Pitchers you need to know about.