Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks needs 19 more strikeouts to become the 12th pitcher in major league history to record 3,000. Johnson will join Steve Carlton as the only left-handers to reach that milestone. Roger Clemens achieved 3,000 last season. The chart below shows each 3,000 strikeout pitcher, his team and his 3,000th victim.
PITCHER YEAR TEAM BATTER TEAM
Walter Johnson 1923 Senators * Indians
Bob Gibson 1974 Cardinals Cesar Geronimo Reds
Gaylord Perry 1978 Padres Joe Simpson Dodgers
Nolan Ryan 1980 Astros Cesar Geronimo Reds
Steve Carlton 1981 Phillies Tim Wallach Expos
Tom Seaver 1981 Reds Keith Hernandez Cardinals
Ferguson Jenkins 1982 Cubs Garry Templeton Padres
Don Sutton 1983 Brewers Alan Bannister Indians
Phil Niekro 1984 Yankees Larry Parrish Rangers
Bert Blyleven 1986 Twins Mike Davis A’s
Roger Clemens 1999 Yankees Randy Winn Devil Rays
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*Because of incomplete records, it is not known whether Walter Johnson’s 3,000th was Charlie Jamieson, Steve O’Neill or Stan Coveleski:
BI-POLAR
On August 21, Brent Mayne of the Colorado Rockies became the first catcher to record a victory in a major league game since Buck Ewing won two games as a relief pitcher for the New York Giants in 1889.
DOUBLED UP
According to Scott Flatow of the Society for American Baseball Research, Jeff Cirillo of the Colorado Rockies is just two doubles away from becoming the first to hit at least 45 doubles in a season in both leagues. Cirillo had 46 in 1996 and in 1997 while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers when they were still in the American League.
CATCHING FIRE
Darrin Fletcher of the Toronto Blue Jays became just the ninth AL catcher to hit three homers in a game when connected for a trio on August 27. The feat has been accomplished by 19 NL catchers a total of 21 times, the last being Bobby Estalella in 1997 with the Philadelphia Phillies. The nine AL catchers are:
Player Year Team
Mickey Cochrane 1925 A’s
Bill Dickey 1939 Yankees
Don Leppert 1963 Senators
Bill Freehan 1971 Tigers
Ernie Whitt 1987 Blue Jays
Mike Stanley 1995 Yankees
Dan Wilson 1996 Mariners
Ivan Rodriguez 1997 Rangers
Darrin Fletcher 2000 Blue Jays
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