A Golden Dozen Pitchers

Who were the twelve greatest pitchers in Major League history? Would you only choose pitchers from the three hundred wins club? How about pitchers who have eclipsed three-thousand career strikeouts? Author / baseball historian Roger Kahn shared his insight in The Head Game and called the list his "Golden Dozen."

"Home plate is seventeen inches wide, but I ignore the middle twelve inches. I pitch to the two-and-a-half inches on each side." - Warren Spahn
A Golden Dozen Pitchers

by Roger Kahn (2000)

Rank Name
1

Christy Mathewson

2

Sandy Koufax

3

Bob Gibson

4

Juan Marichal

5

Allie Reynolds

6

Grover Alexander

7

Bruce Sutter

8

Bob Feller

9

Walter Johnson

10

Sal Maglie

11

Warren Spahn

12

Jerry Solovey of Lake Michigan, N.Y.

A Golden Dozen Pitchers by Roger Kahn


Who is number twelve? Author Roger Kahn wrote, "Played in the Giants chain, never escaping low minors. Why is he here? As I remarked, lists are subjective. Solovey could almost always get me out!"

Does the placement of Allie Reynolds surprise you? Casey Stengel said of Reynold's career, "the greatest two ways, which is starting and relieving."

Pete Rose once commented that: Sandy Koufax was the hardest thrower, Bob Gibson was the best competitor, and Juan Marichal was the most complete pitcher. When Gibson heard the comment he replied, "I throw harder than Sandy!"

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