Roger Clemens just moved into second place on the all-time strikeout list at 4140. Impressive. However, the guy in first has 1600 more strikeouts! That's over 5 seasons more with 300 strikeouts per season (something Clemens has never done).
Clemens has been pitching for 20 seasons. How much does it take to beat Ryan? Can it be done? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 05-07-04, 02:02 PM juanruiz Not by Clemens.
05-07-04, 03:25 PM DorianGreyed It is very unlikely that it will be broken, and it is a certainty that Clemens, who will be 42 this season, will not break it. As you pointed out, Clemens has never had 300 Ks in a year. His best years were 1987/256, 1988/291, 1996/257, 1997/292, and 1998/271. He only averages 205/year (4099 Ks/20 years). So Clemens would have to have his best 5 seasons in the next 5 years to beat Ryan. CLemens' Record
Ryan's best 6 years were 1972/329, 1973/383, 1974/367, 1976/327, 1977/341, and 1989/301. Ryan averaged 212 Ks/year (5713 Ks/27 years). Ryan got 904 Ks after his 40th birthday. That means that Ryan averaged 253 Ks/year (for 19 years) before he hit age 40. Ryan had 24 seasons with 100+ Ks (MLB record, Clemens is 2nd with 19), 15 with 200+ Ks (MLB record, Clemens is 2nd with 11), and 6 with 300+ Ks (MLB record with Randy Johnson). Ryan's Record
Randy Johnson (16 years/3871 Ks, 242K/year) could break it, if he pitches at the same level for the next 7.6 years, or until he is almost 48. (Unless last year was a sign of things to come for Johnson, I think he will end up beating Clemens in career Ks.) Johnson's best years have been 1993/308, 1998/329, 1999/364, 2000/347, 2001/372, and 2002/334.
05-08-04, 02:30 AM Jelp01 There are very few unbreakable baseball records. Nolan Ryan's is one of them, in my opinion. Ryan will remain the all-time strikeout king.
05-08-04, 04:07 AM DorianGreyed Something I just noticed -
Johnson's best 6 years 342.3 Ks/year 2054Ks/6 years
Ryan's best 6 years 341.3 Ks/year 2048Ks/6 years
Compare those to Clemons.
Clemens' best 6 years 270.5/year 1623Ks/6 years
06-14-04, 03:03 PM Yankees15 In today's world of five man rotations and six innings being considered a "quality start" Nolan Ryan's record is as close to unbreakable as you can get.
My belief is that After Greg Maddux, there may never be another 300 game winner, either.
06-15-04, 06:50 PM BobLaz No one will EVER come close to that record--pitchers are just not geared to throw enough innings anymore and are too brittle; his record will stand forever..I'm sure..
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
