The mound is a stage of legends, a place where only the greatest have managed to impose their will and defy the odds. Many have shattered unimaginable records and left an everlasting mark on MLB history.

From the dead-ball era to modern baseball, pitchers have been the architects of drama, commanding the game with untouchable fastballs, mesmerizing curves and unshakable composure.

Talking about the best in history means diving into a world of almost mythical feats, like Cy Young and his unreachable 511 wins. But not all of it is ancient history. Which of these titans of the mound truly deserves the throne?

15. Bob Gibson (1959-1975)

Known for his fierce competitiveness and overpowering fastball, Bob Gibson was a key force for the St. Louis Cardinals. His legendary 1968 season, in which he posted a 1.12 ERA, led to a lowering of the pitcher’s mound the following year. A two-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP, his legacy remains one of sheer dominance and intensity.

14. Greg Maddux (1986-2008)

Renowned for his pinpoint control and strategic pitching, Greg Maddux was a master of deception rather than velocity. He won four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995 and finished his career with 355 wins. His ability to outthink hitters and his defensive excellence—winning 18 Gold Gloves—solidified his place among baseball’s greatest pitchers.

13. Roger Clemens (1984-2007)

One of the most dominant and controversial pitchers in MLB history, Roger Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, the most ever. Known for his power pitching and fierce competitiveness, he recorded 4,672 strikeouts and 354 career wins. His longevity and dominance over two decades made him a legend of the game.

12. Clayton Kershaw (2008-Present)

Since his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw has been a consistent force on the mound. With three Cy Young Awards and an MVP title, he has maintained a career 2.49 ERA, standing out for his control and ability to strike out batters.

11. Sandy Koufax (1955-1966)

Despite a relatively short career, Sandy Koufax left an indelible mark on baseball. With the Los Angeles Dodgers, he won three Cy Young Awards and threw four no-hitters, including a perfect game. His dominance from 1961 to 1966 is regarded as one of the highest peaks in pitching history.

10. Pedro Martinez (1992-2009)

At his peak, Pedro Martínez was arguably the most dominant pitcher of his generation. With a lethal mix of fastballs and changeups, he won three Cy Young Awards and posted a career 2.93 ERA. His 1999 season with the Boston Red Sox is considered one of the greatest in pitching history.

9. Cy Young (1890-1911)

Denton “Cy” Young is synonymous with pitching excellence, so much so that the annual award for the best pitcher bears his name. With 511 career wins, he is the all-time leader in this category and also tops the list for complete games with 749. His durability and consistency set standards that still endure in modern baseball.

8. Randy Johnson (1988-2009)

Known as “The Big Unit”, Randy Johnson was an intimidating presence on the mound, standing tall with a devastating fastball. Over his career, he racked up 4,875 strikeouts, ranking second in MLB history. He won five Cy Young Awards and was a key piece in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2001 World Series championship.

7. Walter Johnson (1907-1927)

Nicknamed “The Big Train”, Walter Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. With a powerful fastball, he amassed 417 wins and 3,509 strikeouts during his career with the Washington Senators. His humility and sportsmanship, along with his dominance on the field, have immortalized him as a legend of the sport.

6. Rube Waddell (1897-1910)

A prodigious and eccentric talent, Rube Waddell was known as much for his unpredictable behavior as for his ability to strike out batters. He led the league in strikeouts for six consecutive seasons and finished his career with 2,316 strikeouts. His colorful personality and dominance on the mound made him one of the most fascinating figures of his era.

5. Christy Mathewson (1900-1916)

Known as “Big Six,” Christy Mathewson epitomized the dominant and gentlemanly pitcher. During his time with the New York Giants, he amassed 373 wins and a 2.13 ERA. His performance in the 1905 World Series, where he threw three consecutive shutouts, remains one of the most impressive feats in baseball history.

4. John Ward (1878-1894)

More than just an outstanding pitcher, John Ward was a true baseball pioneer. In addition to pitching the second perfect game in Major League history in 1880, Ward was a vocal advocate for players’ rights, co-founding the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players, the first professional players’ association. His versatility on the field and leadership off it make him an iconic figure in the sport’s history.

3. Mordecai Brown (1903-1916)

Despite a hand injury that left him with only three functional fingers, Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown turned this adversity into an advantage, developing a pitch with a unique break that baffled hitters. As a key player for the Chicago Cubs, he contributed to World Series championships in 1907 and 1908 and recorded a career 2.06 ERA, showcasing his ability to dominate opponents.

2. Addie Joss (1902-1910)

Nicknamed “The Human Hairpin” for his slender build, Addie Joss was a master of precision and control on the mound. During his career with the Cleveland Naps, he threw two no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1908. His career was tragically cut short due to his premature death from meningitis in 1911, but his impact on the game was so significant that he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.

1. Ed Walsh (1904-1917)

Known for his devastating spitball, Ed Walsh was a dominant force on the mound during the dead-ball era. Throughout his career with the Chicago White Sox, he amassed an impressive record of 195 wins and a 1.82 ERA, the lowest in MLB history. His durability and endurance allowed him to lead the league in innings pitched multiple seasons, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.

The Yankees vs Red Sox rivalry is heartfelt. They truly despise each other, and it goes far beyond the field. Fans, media, and even players just hate each other’s guts, and they’ve made it clear by partakingsome of the most infamous brawls in baseball history.

Yankees players and Red Sox players just don’t get along. Even so, there have been as many as 230 MLB players that went on to play for both teams at some point in their careers, some of them even becoming fan favorites during their tenures at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.

That’s why today, we’re going to put together the ultimate list of the Yankees vs Red Soxrivalry, ranking the15MLB stars who played for both teams, obviously considering their time with the franchiseand not just their career as a whole.

Honorable mentions: Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, Jack Chesbro, Mike Lowell, Herb Pennock.

15. Jacoby Ellsbury

Well, Jacoby Ellsbury is far from being a fan favorite in New York, as he’s even considered one of the worst contracts in the history of the franchise. The Yankees signed him to aseven-year, $153 million deal in 2013 after thriving with the Red Sox, but injuries and lackluster performances forced the team to release him in 2020 after 3 years on the shelf.

That may have granted himmore love from Boston Red Sox fans. He played for Boston from 2007 and 2013 and played a huge part in their two World Series titles. He was also an All-Star and Gold Glove winner before committing the ultimate sin.

14. Rick Cerone

Rick Cerone was always tied to the Yankees organization in one way or the other. He had three different stints with the team, one from 1980-84, then again in 1987, and last, but not least, in 1990. However, he played for the Red Sox as well from 1988-89.

Cerone was one of the best defensive catchers in the league during his prime and he sure made his presence felt during his first stint with the Yankees. His production took a major downfall and the Yankees released him after his second tenure, thus leading to him signing a one-year deal with the Red Sox before eventually coming back home.

13. Duffy Lewis

Duffy Lewis had one of the strongest arms in the world back in the day. He excelled at left-field for the Boston Red Sox from 1910-17 and even helped them win the World Series in 1912, 1915, and 1916.

Lewis had a brief one-year stint with the New York Yankees later before eventually retiring with the Washington Senators. Ha played over 1,100 games with the Red Sox and was even inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.

12. Sparky Lyle

The Boston Red Sox drafted Sparky Lyle and he fought his way through the farm system to the big team. He became the team’s closer and saved over 60 games in four years from 1967 to 71. However, the Red Sox inexplicably traded him to the New York Yankees right before Opening Day of the 1972 season.

Lyle went on to become the league’s most dominant reliever with the Yankees, even winning the AL CY Young award in 1977. He was a 3-time All-Star, 2-time World Series champion, and led the American League in saves twice with the Yankees.

11. David Wells

David Wells bounced around the league for years, so it’s not a surprise to see him play for both the Yankees and Red Sox. He was never the most dominant pitcher in the league and sometimes struggled with control, but his stint with the Yankees definitely grants him a spot on this list.

Wells won 1 of his 2 World Series with the Yankees. He also threw a perfect game in 1998 with them, was an All-Star and the ALCS MVP. His tenure with the Red Sox wasn’t as memorable, though, as he struggled with inconsistency and injuries.

10. Carl Mays

Sports-wise, Carl Mays did pretty much everything one should do to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Personality-wise, he did the opposite. He was regarded as a despicable man and his constant antics on and off the field granted him a poor reputation around the league, especially around players.

Mays forced his way out of the Red Sox after four years (and 2 World Series)with the team by simply not showing up or reporting to the team. They traded him to the Yankees where he went on to win 2 more rings and led the league in wins. He also threw the pitch that killed Ray Chapman, although he always claimed it wasn’t on purpose.

9. Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon was a fan favorite during his stints with the Red Sox and Yankees. That’s not something that happens too often in this kind of rivalry, especially when you jump from one team straight to the other as he did when he left Boston in 2005 after three years with the team.

Damon won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004 before winning another with the New York Yankees in 2009. His hustle, timely batting, and passion made him one of the most respected players in the league during his playing days.

8. Luis Tiant

Cuban legend Luis Tiant was one of the most respected and beloved pitchers of his era. He was among the league’s ERA leaders and even became an All-Star with the Cleveland Indians, but it’s clear that his golden years came with the Red Sox.

Tiant led the league in ERA and was a 2-time All-Star at Boston but his 7-year tenure at Massachusetts came to an end when the Yankees came in knocking with an offer he couldn’t refuse. He was far behind his prime and didn’t live up to the expectations, though.

7. Ben Chapman

Ben Chapman was a true five-tool player. The guy could literally do it all, and he even went on to become a manager following his playing days. During his stint with the Yankees, he led the league in stolen bases three times (out of seven seasons), also winning a World Series.

Chapman went on to have a brief tenure with the Washington Senators before being traded to the Boston Red Sox for a couple of years, leading the American League in stolen bases once again. His tenure with the Yankees was cut short due to the arrivalof Joe DiMaggio.

6. Waite Hoyt

The Boston Red Sox instantly regretted to trade Waite Hoyt away to the New York Yankees. There wasn’t much room for him in Beantown after logging 10 wins for them and spending most of the time in the minors league. Needless to say, the breakout came as soon as he was given a chance.

Hoyt went on to win 157 games with the Yankees. He also led the league in wins once and three World Series. By the time of his retirement, he held the record for most wins in World Series history, so yeah, trading him was a huge mistake.

5. Red Ruffing

Through Red Ruffin’s first 6 years of his career, his performances on the mound were unimpressive, to say the least. He mightily struggled to win games for the Red Sox and was traded away to the Yankees for spare parts and cash considerations.

Then, he broke out as one of the most dominant pitchers of his time, becoming a 6-time All-Star and 4-time World Series champion. He also led the American League once in strikeouts and wins. His turnaround granted him a spot in the Hall of Fame, the Red Sox’ Hall of Fame, and the Monument Park.

4. Wade Boggs

Wade Boggs is what you may call a late bloomer. He was drafted by the Red Sox in 1976 but didn’t make the Major Leagues until 1982. He instantly became a fan favorite because of his remarkable offensive contributions. He was a perennial All-Star and won multiple Silver Slugger awards with the Red Sox.

Then, the Evil Empire came knocking and Boggs broke the Bostonfans’ hearts by joining the Yankees as a free agent. He went on to win a World Series, made 4 All-Star appearances, and won a couple of more Silver Slugger awards.

3. Elston Howard

Elston Howard is one of the most iconic players of all time. He was the first African American to ever play for the Yankees and is considered to be one of the greatest Yankees of all time. He was a 12-time All-Star, AL MVP, 6-time World Series winner, and 2-time Gold Glove winner during his time with the Pinstripers.

He played for the Yankees from 1955-67 until he was traded to the Red Sox after a down year. He went on to play there until his retirement in 1968 but later came back to work as the Yankees’ manager for 10 seasons.

2. Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens is one of the greatest, most dominant pitchers to ever live. He reignited the Yankees vs Red Soxrivalry when he joined the ladder as a free agent after 13 seasonsat Fenway Park. He was even drafted by the Red Sox.

Clemens was a 5-time All-Star, 3-time CY Young during his time with the Red Sox. He was also the AL MVP, two-time wins leader, 5-time ERA leader, and 3-time strikeout leader. However, it wasn’t until he joined the Yankees that he could win the World Series (1999 and 2000). He added 3 more CY Youngs and multiple accolades to his resume during his time with the Pinstripers.

1. Babe Ruth

There aren’t many things we could say about the great Babe Ruth that haven’t been said countless times already, so we’re just going to say the obvious: he’s the greatest baseball player of all time and it’s not even close. The guy could throw 9 scoreless innings, bat two home runs, and then hit the bar with the boys to grab a beer or two. All in one day.

Ruth was an incredibly dominant pitcher during his days with the Red Sox (1914-19). Then, team ownerHarry Frazee traded him to the Yankees for $100,000 and a $300,000 loan. The rest, as you know, ishistory, as this tradealtered the course of baseball as we know it. He won 3 World Series with Boston and 4 with the Yankees, making them what they are nowadays.

However, that’s an extremely tricky question by definition. Are we putting together relievers with starting pitchers? Which factors are we taking into consideration? Is it their pitching repertoire? Is it skill, direction, control, power, speed? is it their record? awards matter or do we go beyond the stats?

So, to try and put that conversation to an end we’ve put together a list of the 25 most dominan pitchers ever based on numbers, awards, and intangibles. The ranking is up to debate, as there’s no easy way to put one of these legends ahead of another. So, in no particular order, we’ll give you the ultimate list of greats of the mound:

25. Robin Roberts

Stats: 286-245 W-L, 3.41 ERA, 4,688.2 IP, 2,357 SO, 1.170 WHIP

Robin Roberts was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976 after a long and successful 18-year career in the MLB. He still holds the record for most opening games with one team (12) and is second in allowed home runs with 505.

He was an example of durability and dominance as he completed 305 games throughout his career thanks to his control and accuracy. He constantly tried to dare opposing batters to hit the ball, but it was mostly worthless, as he was a master at using the corners of the strike zone. He made it to 7 All-Star Games and won the ML Player of the Year.

24. Sal Maglie

Stats: 119-62 W-L, 3.15 ERA, 1,723.0 IP, 862 SO, 1.250 WHIP

Sal “The Barber” was known for dominating with inside pitches most hitters just didn’t stand a chance against. He was always in control of the situation and intimidated opposing batters by always keeping them working and worried about potentially being hit by one of his ‘shaves’.

He was a 2-time All-Star and won the World Series back in 1954 and is one of the few players to have played for the Giants, Yankees, and Dodgers when they were all in New York City, before ending his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

23. Roy Halladay

Stats: 203-105 W-L, 3.38 ERA, 2,749.1 IP, 2,117 SO, 1.178 WHIP

Roy Halladay was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame following a 15-year career in the MLB. He retired as the league’s all-time leader in complete games (67), including 20 shutouts. Also, he threw the league’s 20th perfect game ever.

Halladay was also the 5th player in MLB history to throw multiple no-hitters in the same season thanks to his unorthodox style and powerful 2-steam fastball. Throughout his career, he won 2 Cy Youngs and made it to 8 All-Star Games.

22. Trevor Hoffman

Stats: 61-75 W-L, 601 SV, 2.87 ERA, 1,089.1 IP, 1,133 SO, 1.058 WHIP

Trevor Hoffman is one of the all-time great relievers to ever set foot on a mound. Hell, he even became the first pitcher in MLB history to reach 500 and 600 career saves, which is why he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Hoffman originally played as a shortstop but his poor offense took him to the bullpen, where he’d throw over 95 mph throughout his entire career. He won 2 Rolaids Reliever of the Year award and made it to 7 All-Star Games.

21. Juan Marichal

Stats: 243-142 W-L, 2.89 ERA, 3,507.0 IP, 2,303 SO, 1.101 WHIP

Juan Marichal was one of the first Latin baseball players to make a name for himself in the U.S. His unorthodox style and his high-leg kick were quite intimidating for opposing batters and helped him constantly stay in control of the situation.

His posture helped him hide what was coming and made him one of the most prolific dart-throwers of the 60s. Throughout his career, he won 1 ERA Title, made it to 10 All-Star Games, and won 1 All-Star MVP.

20. Dennis Eckersley

Stats: 197-171 W-L, 390 SV, 3.50 ERA, 3,285.2 IP, 2,401 SO, 1.161 WHIP

Dennis Eckersley could do it all on the mound. He spent a lot of time as a starter, but could also come in late to ease the fire. That’s why he’s one of just two players with a 20-win, 50-save season.

Eckersley was the most dominant closer in MLB during the late 90s and early 2000s. Over his career, he won 1 MVP, Cy Young, ALCS MVP, 2-times Rolaids Reliever of the Year, World Series, and made it to 6 All-Star Games.

19. Gaylord Perry

Stats: 314-265 W-L, 3.11 ERA, 5,350.0 IP, 3,534 SO, 1.181 WHIP

Gaylord Perry is the first pitcher to win the Cy Young award in both leagues. His control, brains, versatility, and durability helped him have a 22-year career where he was the finest example of consistency.

Perry hat 13 straight 15+ win seasons from 1966-78, trailing only Cy Young (15) back then before Greg Maddux (17) passed them both in 2004. He won 2 Cy Youngs and made 5All-Stars Game appearances.

18. Max Scherzer

Stats: 170-89 W-L, 3.20 ERA, 2,290.0 IP, 2,692 SO, 1.092 WHIP

Max Scherzer has been money since making it to the league in 2008, piling up MVP-caliber seasons for over a decade. He’s one of just six pitchers to throw multiple no-hitters in one season, as well as the sixth to win the Cy Young in both leagues.

Scherzer has had his fair share of success throughout his MLB career, piling up 3 Cy Youngs, has made it to 7 All-Star Games, and most recently the World Series with the Washington Nationals. He’s a lock to make it to the Hall of Fame.

17. Nolan Ryan

Stats: 324-292 W-L, 3.19 ERA, 5,386.0 IP, 5,714 SO, 1.247 WHIP

Most pitchers will be out of the league after five years or so, but luckily for this sport, Nolan Ryan wasn’t like most pitchers. As a matter of fact, he stayed in the league for 27 years, which says a lot about his durability, talent, and work ethic.

Ryan had one of the most powerful arms in the history of baseball. Up to this day, he’s still the league’s all-time leader in strikeouts by a long stretch, and his 5,714 strikeouts aren’t likely to be topped ever. Also, he added 8 All-Stars, 2 ERA Titles, and 1 World Series to his resume.

16. Don Drysdale

Stats: 209-166 W-L, 2.95 ERA, 3,432.0 IP, 2,486 SO, 1.148 WHIP

Don Drysdale found the glory with the Los Angeles Dodgers by becoming one of the most reliable guys you could find on a mound. He even threw a record 6 straight shutouts with 58.2 scoreless innings thanks to his ability to find the inside corner every time out there.

Drysdale was such a sensation in Hollywood that he even starred in several movies and TV shows as the fan-favorite in the late 50s and 60s. Throughout his career, he won one Cy Young, 3 World Series, ML Player of the Year award, and made 9 All-Star Appearances.

15. Justin Verlander

Stats: 225-129 W-L, 3.33 ERA, 2,982.9 IP, 3,006 SO, 1.135 WHIP

Justin Verlander has had a Hall of Famer career for sure. He’s one of the most consistent pitchers of the last couple of decades, and even though he’s struggled in the World Series, he’s been money in the postseason year after year.

His 4-steam fastball is still deadly 13 years after his professional debut and it seems like he could turn it up a notch at will. Thus far, he’s won the Rookie of the Year, ML Player of the Year, ERA Title, ALCS MVP, MVP, 2 Cy Youngs (1 unanimous), World Series, 8 All-Star Game Appearances, and one pitcher’s Triple-Crown thanks to his legendary curve.

14. Warren Spahn

Stats: 363-245 W-L, 3.09 ERA, 5,243.2 IP, 2,583 SO, 1.195 WHIP

Back in the day, Warren Spahn was considered to be the greatest leftie pitcher in the history of baseball, a distinction he earned after winning 20+ games in 13 seasons. He was also one of the first to throw multiple no-hitters and reach 300 career victories.

Spahn’s high-kick made him a legend among baseball players back then. He was intimidating, dominant, and had a never-ending bag of tricks to fool opposing hitters. That’s why he won 1 Cy Young, 3 ERA Titles, one World Series, and made it to 17 All-Star Games.

13. Clayton Kershaw

Stats: 169-74 W-L, 2.44 ERA, 2,274.2 IP, 2,464 SO, 1.008 WHIP

Clayton Kershaw will go down as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball once’s all said and done. However, his struggles in the playoffs may dent his legacy unless he finds a way to stay in control and dominate the same way he does in the regular season.

Kershaw’s changeup and movement made him incredibly hard to read for opposing batters. His overhand delivery and the way he hides the ball help him always stay in control and find the lower corners of the strike zone. Thus far, he’s won one Gold Glove, 3 Cy Youngs, 5 ERA Titles, ML Player of the Year, MVP, 8 All-Star Game appearances, and one pitcher’s Triple-Crown.

12. Bob Feller

Stats: 266-162 W-L, 3.25 ERA, 3,827.0 IP, 2,581 SO, 1.316 WHIP

Bob Feller was the man to beat during the early 40s. He led the league in wins 6 times and is the Cleveland Indians’ all-time leader in wins after 16 seasons with the franchise. He even led the team to complete his military service and came back as dominant as ever four years later.

Feller struck out 348 batters as soon as he came back to the league and even had 6 40-game seasons. That’s just the kind of athlete he was. Throughout his career, he won 1 ERA Title, ML Player of the Year, World Series winner, 8 All-Star Game appearances, and the pitcher’s Triple-Crown.

11. Bob Gibson

Stats: 251-174 W-L, 2.91 ERA, 3,884.1 IP, 3,117 SO, 1.1188 WHIP

Bob Gibson is one of the main responsible for the St. Louis Cardinals’ success in the sixties. He was an intimidating guy that thrived off inside pitches and infuriating his rivals. Also, he made some weird and bizarre faces to scare off opposing batters.

Crazy as it may seem, it definitely paid off for him, as he was able to win 1 MVP, 2 Cy Youngs, 9 All-Stars, 9 Gold Gloves, 2 World Series, 2 World Series MVP, 1 ERA Title over his 17-seasons career.

10. Randy Johnson

Stats: 303-166 W-L, 3.29 ERA, 4,135.1 IP, 4,875 SO, 1.171 WHIP

Randy Johnson is one of the 24 pitchers to log 300+ wins in MLB history. Also, he’s the second all-time in strikeouts and is considered to own the most intimidating and powerful fastball the league had ever seen, as it could go over 100 mph with ease during his prime.

However, Johnson made the most of his damage with his deadly slider, the main reason why there were that many swings and misses throughout his 22-year career. He won 5 Cy Youngs, 4 ERA Titles, 10 All-Stars, 1 World Series, 1 World Series MVP, and also the pitcher’s Triple-Crown.

9. Carl Hubbell

Stats: 253-154 W-L, 2.98 ERA, 3,590.1 IP, 1,677 SO, 1.166 WHIP

Hubbell was the first pitcher that truly thrived off the screwball. Even Joe DiMaggio himself claimed once that Hubbel was the most difficult pitcher he had ever faced due to how in control he always was. That often helped him fool his rivals.

He struck out 5 straight players in the 1934 All-Star Game, including the likes of Babe Ruth and Al Simmons. Also, he won 24 straight games from 1936 to 1937, which is the longest streak in MLB history. He piled up 2 MVPs, 3 ERA Titles, ML Player of the Year, World Series, and made it to 9 All-Star Games.

8. Greg Maddux

Stats: 355-227 W-L, 3.16 ERA, 5,008.1 IP, 3,371 SO, 1.143 WHIP

Greg Maddux was a synonym of consistency throughout his entire career. He had 2 20-win seasons, 5 19-win seasons, and 2 18-win seasons and became the first player to ever sign a 100+ million deal thanks to his dominance, intelligence, and durability.

He still holds the record for 17 straight seasons of 15+ wins, piled up 4 straight Cy Youngs (MLB record), 4 ERA Titles, 1 World Series, 18 Gold Gloves, and made 8 All-Star Game appearances.

7. Pedro Martínez

Stats: 219-100 W-L, 2.93 ERA, 2,827.1 IP, 3,154 SO, 1.054 WHIP

Pedro Martínez always brought the fire. He was a born winner, a fierce competitor, and a guy who scared the living hell out of his rivals once he stood on the mound. When he won his 200th game back in 2006, he held the best winning percentage in MLB history for a pitcher with over 350 starts.

Martínez’s unorthodox style was what made him so special. He thrived off of outside pitches but his biggest strength was his control. That, combined with his fastball, curve, and mean circle changeup helped him earn 3 Cy Youngs, 5 ERA Titles, World Series, 8 All-Star Game appearances, 1 All-Star MVP, and the pitcher’s Triple-Crown.

6. Lefty Grove

Stats: 300-141 W-L, 3.06 ERA, 3,940.2 IP, 2,266 SO, 1.278 WHIP

Lefty Grove was the most dominant pitcher of his era. He won 79 games over a three-year span to go along with just 15 losses, which he didn’t take lightly. Grove holds the record for the highest winning percentage (.680) for a pitcher with more than 236 career wins, which tells you how good he was.

He holds the record for most ERA titles (9), led the league in wins 4 times, in strikeouts for seven straight seasons, and won 1 MVP, 2 World Series, 6 All-Star Game appearances, and 2 pitcher’s Triple-Crowns.

5. Mariano Rivera

Stats: 82-60 W-L, 652 SV, 2.21 ERA, 1,283.0 IP, 1,173 SO, 1.000 WHIP

Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all time and it’s not even close. Besides his power, speed, and control the fact that he was able to play at such a high level for 19 years as a closer says just enough about his work ethic, and talent.

Rivera had at least 25 saves in 15 straight seasons with an ERA below 2.00 11 times, both MLB records. Also, He made it to 13 All-Star Games and won 5 Rolaids Reliever of the Year awards, ALCS MVP, All-Star Game MVP, World Series MVP, and 5 World Series. On a related note, he’s the league’s all-time leader in saves and by a long stretch.

4. Cy Young

Stats: 511-315 W-L, 2.63 ERA, 7,356.0 IP, 2,803 SO, 1.130 WHIP

There’s a reason why the Cy Young award is called that way. When you look for a winning pitcher, there’s no one that had won more games than Young. Hell, he’s the only pitcher in MLB history to win 500+ games, something that’s never going to be topped.

Young enjoyed quite a successful 22-year career in the MLB. He was the first to ever record a perfect game in the modern era, made 904 appearances, and holds the records for most starts, inning pitches, and complete games (749). Also, he had 5 30-win seasons and 10 20+ win campaigns again, as well as 2 ERA titles, 1 World Series, and the pitcher’s Triple-Crown.

3. Walter Johnson

Stats: 417-279 W-L, 2.17 ERA, 5,914.1 IP, 3,509 SO, 1.061 WHIP

Walter Johnson is the second player ever to win 400+ games and trails only Cy Young for the most wins ever. Up to this day, there’s still some who consider him to be the greatest right-handed pitcher in the history of baseball or at least, the best of the 1900s.

Johnson had 110 career shutouts and threw at 91 mph, which was unprecedented back in the day, sadly, his legacy may be tainted by the lack of team success he faced through most of his career. Still, he was as dominant as they came, winning 2 MVPs, 5 ERA Titles, World Series, and 3 pitcher’s Triple-Crowns.

2. Roger Clemens

Stats: 354-184 W-L, 3.12 ERA, 4,916.2 IP, 4,672 SO, 1.173 WHIP

Roger Clemens holds the third most strikeouts of all time with 4,672. He was the most dominant pitcher of his time, winning 7 Cy Young awards, which is an MLB record up to this day, and one not likely to be ever topped. He was always the most aggressive guy out there and opposing batters were just scared of him.

Clemens could throw at 94 mph during his 24th season in the league. Also, his breaking balls were just deadly. Throughout his career, he won 1 ML Player of the Year, MVP, 2 World Series, 7 ERA Titles, 11 All-Star appearances, 1 All-Star MVP, and a couple of pitcher’s Triple-Crowns.

1. Sandy Koufax

Stats: 165-87 W-L, 2.76 ERA, 2,324.1, 2,396 SO, 1.106 WHIP

Sandy Koufax wasn’t around for that long yet a lot of people consider him to be not only the greatest lefty but also the greatest pitcher ever. Nobody else ate during his watch, he completely dominated his peers and rivals during his prime and piled up quite an impressive resume over just 11 years. He threw over the top of his arm which gave him outstanding speed to his four-seam fastball, which underspun as it approached the plate.

Koufax was the first pitcher to throw at least 3 no-hitters and became the youngest player to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame. MVP, 3 Cy Youngs, 3 World Series, 2 World Series MVP, 2-times ML Player of the Year, 5 ERA Titles, 7 All-Star Games, and won 3 pitcher’s Triple-Crowns before arthritis cut his career short at just 31 years old.