The strikeout King

HOUSTON, TEXAS - If you needed a strikeout who would you want on the mound? Nolan Ryan wouldn't be a bad choice. On this date in 1987 the Houston Astros' right-hander struck out 16 in a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants in the Astrodome. When Ryan struck out Mike Aldrete in the 7th he became the first pitcher to reach 4,500 strikeouts in a career. Only Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson have since reached that mark.

Noland Ryan is to strikeouts what Cy Young is to wins. Ryan has almost a thousand more Ks than number 2 on the list - Roger Clemens. Cy Young had 511 career wins. Number 2 is Walter Johnson with 417.

Here, according to BASEBALL-REFERENCE, are the top 10 career strikeout leaders:

1. Nolan Ryan - 5,714
2. Randy Johnson - 4,875
3. Roger Clemens - 4,672
4. Steve Carlton - 4,136
5. Bert Blyleven - 3,701
6. Tom Seaver - 3,640
7. Don Sutton - 3,574
8. Gaylord Perry - 3,534
9. Walter Johnson - 3,509
10. Greg Maddux - 3,371

CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
Most strikeouts
September 9, 1987 box score/play-by-play

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