TODAY IN BASEBALL TAKES YOU TO GILMORE, OHIO MARCH 29, 1867. Denton Young was born on an Ohio farm on this date in 1867. Better known as Cy Young, he won more games, 511, than any other pitcher in baseball history. The pitcher in second place, Walter Johnson, had 94 fewer wins than the first and only true Cy Young.
Young’s nickname was coined by a catcher who, after warming him up, compared his fastball to a cyclone. He played for four teams during a 22 year career lasting from 1890 to 1911. His 511-wins and 316-losses are not the only stats that are eye-popping:
• 15 seasons of at least 20 wins • 5 seasons of at least 30 wins • 19 double digit winning seasons • A 2.63 lifetime Earned Run Average
And of course, today the best pitcher in each league is recognized with the “Cy Young” Award. Here are the fifteen winningest pitchers of all time:
Cy Young – 511
Walter Johnson – 417
Pete Alexander – 373
Christy Mathewson – 373
Pud Galvin – 365
Warren Spahn – 363
Kid Nichols – 361
Greg Maddux – 355
Roger Clemens – 354
Tim Keefe – 342
Steve Carlton – 329
John Clarkson – 328
Eddie Plank – 326
Nolan Ryan – 326
Don Sutton – 324
There have been dozens of Cy Young award winners. Denton Young is the first and only true Cy Young.
Contributing sources:
More on Cy Young
300 win Club
Most wins career