The 100 Greatest MLB Pitchers of All Time (Nos. 100-76)

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This list was made after extensive research into the stats I believed to be the most important when it came to pitchers. I took a list of close to 200 candidates and looked at their career totals in Wins, ERA, WHIP, Saves, and Strikeouts.

I then ranked each player in each of those categories. After that I looked at what they averaged in those stats per year. This ensures that we are looking at quality along with quantity.

Next I weighted each stat accordingly, because let's face it, a save isn't as important as a win. Finally I tweaked the list here and there based on my own personal opinion.

I hope you enjoy, I'd love to hear feedback.

100. John Franco

8 Mar 1998: Pitcher John Franco of the New York Mets in action during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The Mets defeated the Cardinals 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Cincinnati Reds: 1984-1989
New York Mets: 1990-2004
Houston Astros: 2005

WINS: 90
ERA: 2.89
SAVES: 424

4x All Star
2x NL Reliever of the Year

Franco was a constant for many years, He has the most career saves by a left-hander. He is currently fourth all time in career saves.

Was beloved by Mets fans and was also known for his off field work winning the Lou Gehrig award in 2001.

99. Waite Hoyt

New York Giants: 1918, 1932
Boston Red Sox: 1919-1920
New York Yankees: 1921-1930
Detroit Tigers: 1930-1931
Philadelphia Athletics: 1931
Brooklyn Dodgers: 1932, 1937-1938
Pittsburgh Pirates: 1933-1937

WINS: 237
ERA: 3.59
STRIKEOUTS: 1206

3x World Champion

In 1927, Hoyt led the American League with 22 wins; the next year he won 23. Hoyt played for many teams and was a very successful pitcher. He posted 6 career World Series wins.

98. Kevin Appier

1989: Kevin Appier #55 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch during a game in the 1989 MLB season. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images)

Kansas City Royals: 1989-1999, 2003-2004
Oakland Athletics: 1999-2000
New York Mets: 2001
Anaheim Angels: 2002-2003

WINS: 169
ERA: 3.74
STRIKEOUTS: 1994

1x World Champion
1x All Star

Appier was an overlooked player, although he was one of the best pitchers of the 90's, people tend to forget about him since he played with the Royals for most of his career.

Appier was successful with every team he played for and was a great leader to those around him.

97. Andy Pettitte

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte #46 of the New York Yankees deals against the Baltimore Orioles during the last regular season game at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees are pla

New York Yankees: 1995-2003, 2007-present
Houston Astros: 2004-2006

WINS: 215
ERA: 3.89
STRIKEOUTS: 2002

4x World Champion
2x All Star

Pettitte is one of the most consistent players of this generation. He is second in career playoff wins with 14. He is also the only pitcher since 1930 to win 12 games in his first nine seasons.

He has never had a losing season in his career. Pettitte has also been a 20 game winner twice in his career.

96. Chuck Finley

12 Apr 1998: Pitcher Chuck Finley of the Anaheim Angels in action during a game against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Angels won the game, 12-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

California/Anaheim Angels: 1986-1999
Cleveland Indians: 2000-2002
St. Louis Cardinals: 2002

WINS: 200
ERA: 3.85
STRIKEOUTS: 2610

5x All Star

Finley was a powerful pitcher who always collected strikeouts in bunches.

Finley also is owner of one the strangest records in baseball. He is the only player to have four strikeouts in an inning more than once. He accomplished this three times.

95. John Wetteland

18 Apr 1999: Pitcher John Wetteland #35 of the Texas Rangers winds up for the pitchl during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /A

Los Angeles Dodgers: 1989-1991
Montreal Expos: 1992-1994
New York Yankees: 1995-1996
Texas Rangers: 1997-2000

GAMES PITCHED: 618
ERA: 2.97
SAVES: 330

1x World Champion
1996 World Series MVP
3x All Star
1x AL Reliever of the Year

Although Wetteland had a short career, there is no doubt that he was one of the best closers ever to take the mound. His 1996 season as a whole may be the best season by a closer ever.

He not only is the Rangers' all-time saves leader but had more saves in the 1990's than anyone else. Many believe that Wetteland would hold he record for career saves had it not been for an elbow injury that cut his career short.

94. Jose Rijo

6 OCT 1991: JOSE RIJO, PITCHER FOR THE CINCINNATI REDS, RELEASES A PITCH DURING THEIR GAME AGAINST THE SAN DIEGO PADRES AT JACK MURPHY STADIUM IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. MANDATORY CREDIT: STEPHEN DUNN/ALLSPORT

New York Yankees: 1984
Oakland Athletics: 1985-1987
Cincinnati Reds: 1988-1995, 2001-2002

WINS: 116
ERA: 3.24
STRIKEOUTS: 1606

1x World Champion
1990 World Series MVP
1x All Star

Rijo was a dominant pitcher whose career was plagued with injuries. He was out of baseball for five years but made a return to the Reds and fans embraced him.

Rijo holds the record for most strikeouts in a game for Oakland with 16. At different times in his career he led the league in games started, strikeouts, strikeouts per nine innings, and winning percentage.

93. Fernando Valenzuela

FERNANDO VALENZUELA PITCHES FOR THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS DURING THEIR GAME AGAINST THE HOUSTON ASTROS AT DODGER STADIUM IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. MANDATORY CREDIT: MIKE POWELL/ALLSPORT

Los Angeles Dodgers: 1980-1990
California Angels: 1991
Baltimore Orioles: 1993
Philadelphia Phillies: 1994
San Diego Padres: 1995-1997
St. Louis Cardinals: 1997

WINS 173
ERA: 3.54
STRIKEOUTS: 2074

1x World Champion
1981 NL Cy Young winner
1981 NL Rookie of the Year
1 Gold Glove
2 Silver Sluggers
6x All Star

Valenzuela's 1981 season is one of the most dominant by a pitcher ever. Fans loved him and his unusual delivery was a sight to be seen.

He is the only player to ever win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award in the same season.

Although no season would compare to his rookie year, he had a very successful career and is still one of the most beloved players in Dodgers history.

92. Bruce Sutter

Chicago Cubs: 1976-1980
St.Louis Cardinals: 1981-1984
Atlanta Braves: 1985-1986, 1988

1979 NL Cy Young winner
4x NL Reliever of the Year
6x All Star

Games Pitched: 661
ERA: 2.83
SAVES: 300

He is the only NL pitcher to lead the league in saves five times. He was a great closer but is most known for his splitfinger fastball. He is widely regarded as the first pitcher to use this pitch effectively. He called the pitch "The Jewel."

He was the first pitcher inducted into the Hall of Fame without starting a game, also the first to be inducted after pitching less than 1700 innings.

91. Lee Smith

SAN DIEGO - 1990: Lee Smith #47 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the 1990 season at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Chicago Cubs: 1980-1987
Boston Red Sox: 1988-1990
St.Louis Cardinals: 1990-1993
New York Yankees: 1993
Baltimore Orioles: 1994
California Angels: 1995-1996
Cincinnati Reds: 1996
Montreal Expos: 1997

GAMES PITCHED: 1022
ERA: 3.03
SAVES: 478

2x NL Reliever of the Year
1x AL Reliever of the Year
7x All Star

Smith held the record for career saves for nearly 13 years. Smith was a dominating presence, standing 6'6", and he had a deadly fastball. He set a record for games finished with 802. He holds the Cubs saves record as well.

90. Jamie Moyer

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 25: Jamie Moyer #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 25, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Gardner-Po

Chicago Cubs: 1986-1988
Texas Rangers: 1989-1990
St. Louis Cardinals: 1991
Baltimore Orioles: 1993-1995
Boston Red Sox: 1996
Seattle Mariners: 1996-2006
Philadelphia Phillies: 2006-present

WINS: 246
ERA: 4.19
STRIKEOUTS: 2248

1x World Champion
1x All Star

Never a power pitcher, Moyer gets batters out by studying them and by throwing a wide variety of pitches. Moyer's smarts and finesse pitching has led to a long career. He is Seattle's all-time win leader.

89. Tom Henke

1990: Pitcher Tom Henke of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during a game. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Texas Rangers: 1982-1983, 1993-1994
Toronto Blue Jays: 1985-1992
St.Louis Cardinals: 1995

WINS: 41
ERA: 2.67
SAVES: 311

1x World Champion
1x NL Reliever of the Year
2x All Star

"The Terminator" was just that. When he came to the mound he almost always got a save. He powered past most batters with ease. Henke struck out 9.8 batters per 9 innings in his career.

88. Jimmy Key

30 Apr 1994: Pitcher Jimmy Key of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport

Toronto Blue Jays: 1984-1992
New York Yankees: 1993-1996
Baltimore Orioles: 1997-1998

WINS: 186
ERA: 3.51
STRIKEOUTS: 1538

2x World Champion
4x All Star

A great control pitcher, Key dealt with many injuries over his career which hindered his win total. When he was healthy, though, he was one of the most dominant pitchers around.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio was very impressive throughout his career. In 1987 he led the league with a 2.76 ERA.

87. Denny McLain

Detroit Tigers: 1963-1970
Washington Senators: 1971
Oakland Athletics: 1972
Atlanta Braves: 1972

WINS: 131
ERA: 3.39
STRIKEOUTS: 1282

1x World Champion
1968 AL MVP
2x AL Cy Young award winner
3x All Star

McLain is the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season. McLain was one of the most dominating pitchers during his playing time but injuries and problems with gambling led to a short nine-year career.

He was the first player in AL history to win both the MVP and Cy Young award in the same season.

86. David Wells

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 22: Starting pitcher David Wells #33 of the New York Yankees delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the game on September 22, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Yankees in 10

Toronto Blue Jays: 1987-1992, 1999-2000
Detroit Tigers: 1993-1995
Cincinnati Reds: 1995
Baltimore Orioles: 1996
New York Yankees: 1997-1998, 2002-2003
Chicago White Sox: 2001
San Diego Padres: 2004, 2006-2007
Boston Red Sox: 2005-2006
Los Angeles Dodgers: 2007

WINS: 239
ERA: 4.13
STRIKEOUTS: 2201

2x World Champion
3x All Star

Wells was a well traveled man but seemed to be loved everywhere he went. His carefree attitude made him a fan favorite.

In 1998, Wells achieved one the most difficult tasks in baseball and pitched a perfect game. The story goes that he was hung over while he pitched the game.

He is tied with Kenny Lofton for the most season appearances with most teams with six.

85. Burleigh Grimes

Pittsburgh Pirates: 1916-1917, 1928-1929, 1934
Brooklyn Robins: 1918-1926
New York Giants: 1927
Boston Braves: 1930
St.Louis Cardinals: 1930-1931, 1933-1934
Chicago Cubs: 1932-1933
New York Yankees: 1934

WINS: 270
ERA: 3.53
STRIKEOUTS: 1512

1x World Champion

Grimes was an all-around great pitcher during his career. He led the NL in wins twice, strikeouts once, innings three times, and complete games four times.

He had five seasons of 20 or more wins. One of the last pitchers to legally use the "Spitball."

84. Candy Cummings

New York Mutuals: 1872
Baltimore Canaries: 1873
Philadelphia White Stockings: 1874
Hartford Dark Blues: 1875-1876
Cincinnati Reds: 1877

WINS: 145
ERA: 2.49
COMPLETE GAMES: 233

Although Cummings only played six years he was still one of the best ever. He was so influential on what made a successful pitcher that many credit him with being the first true pitcher.

He is also credited with inventing the curveball, a pitch still used today.

83. Bob Lemon

Cleveland Indians: 1941-1958

WINS: 207
ERA: 3.23
STRIKEOUTS: 1277

2x World Champion
7x All Star

Lemon played his entire career with the Indians and it was a very successful tenure. He won 20 games or more seven times in his career.

He pitched a no-hitter in 1948. Ted Williams once said that Lemon was one of the best pitchers he ever faced.

82. Babe Ruth

Boston Red Sox: 1914-1919
New York Yankees: 1920-1934
Boston Braves: 1935

WINS: 94
ERA: 2.28

7x World Champion
1x AL MVP
2x All Star

Ruth may be the best hitter the game has ever seen, but he was a great pitcher as well.

He was such a good hitter that eventually he had to be moved to the outfield, but he may have become one of the best pitchers ever, if not the best. His career ERA is 14th all time.

81. Red Ruffing

Boston Red Sox: 1924-1930
New York Yankees: 1930-1942, 1945-1946
Chicago White Sox: 1947

WINS: 273
ERA: 3.80
STRIKEOUTS: 1987

6x World Champion
6x All Star

Ruffing was part of some of the great Yankee teams of all time. He won 20 or more games four years in a row from 1936-1939.

He also led the league in strikeouts in 1932. He was also great in the postseason with a 7-2 record and a 2.63 ERA.

80. Sid Fernandez

1989: Pitcher Sid Fernandez of the New York Mets in action during a game at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

Los Angeles Dodgers: 1983
New York Mets: 1984-1993
Baltimore Orioles: 1994-1995
Philadelphia Phillies: 1995-1996
Houston Astros: 1997

1x World Champion
2x All Star

WINS: 114
ERA: 3.36
STRIKEOUTS: 1743

Fernandez often was overlooked but during his best years he was a dominant pitcher.

He had an unusual delivery that led to many strikeouts and a very low ERA. He is fourth all time in hits per nine innings with 6.85, a truly amazing feat.

79. Dennis Martinez

10 Apr 1993: Pitcher Dennis Martinez of the Montreal Expos winds up for the pitch during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport

Baltimore Orioles: 1976-1986
Montreal Expos: 1986-1993
Cleveland Indians: 1994-1996
Seattle Mariners: 1997
Atlanta Braves: 1998

WINS: 245
ERA: 3.70
STRIKEOUTS: 2149

1x World Champion
4x All Star

Martinez was the first-ever Nicaraguan player in baseball. At different times in his career he led the league in wins, ERA, shutouts, games started, and innings pitched.

In 1991, he became the first player of Latin descent to pitch a perfect game. Martinez has the most career wins of any pitcher to have never won 20 games in a season.

78. Bob Welch

1991: Pitcher Bob Welch of the Oakland Athletics prepares to throw the ball during a game against the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport

Los Angeles Dodgers: 1978-1987
Oakland Athletics: 1988-1994

WINS: 211
ERA: 3.47
STRIKEOUTS: 1969

2x World Champion
1990 AL Cy Young award winner
2x All Star

Welch was never considered a dominant pitcher, but he was a consistent as they came. He won 14 or more games in 8 seasons. He is the last pitcher to win 25 or more games in a season.

77. Billy Pierce

Detroit Tigers: 1945, 1948
Chicago White Sox: 1949-1961
San Francisco Giants: 1962-1964

WINS: 211
ERA: 3.27
STRIKEOUTS: 1999

1x World Champion
7x All Star

Pierce was Chicago's best pitcher in the 50's and was known for some of his pitching duels with rival Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford. He led the AL in complete games 3 times, wins once, ERA once, and strikeouts once.

76. Billy Wagner

NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Billy Wagner #13 of the New York Mets pitches in the ninth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves on April 26, 2008 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Houston Astros: 1995-2003
Philadelphia Phillies: 2004-2005
New York Mets: 2006-present

ERA: 2.40
STRIKEOUTS: 1066
SAVES: 385

1x NL Reliever of the Year
6x All Star

Wagner is one of the most dominating closers of all time. His powerful approach is deadly towards hitters but it has also plagued his career with injuries. His 1999 season may be the best ever by a closer.

He saved more games than he allowed hits. He also struck out 124 batters in only 74 innings.

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