Single Season Leaders for ERA / Career Leaders for Earned Run Average

Next to games won during a season, the most commonly cited pitching statistic is the lowest earned run average during a single season. The following pitchers have each tossed a minimum of one inning per scheduled game, have an earned run average less than 1.75 (with raw averages being presented to further clarify Baseball Almanac's chart of the top 100 earned run average seasons), and a bold faced entry denotes that the player was active during the previous Major League season.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"Rules or no rules, pitchers are going to throw spitters, it's a matter of survival." - Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Gibson (#5 Ranked Single Season Earned Run Average Leader)

Earned Run Average

Single Season Leaders | 'Top 500'

Tim Keefe 0.86 (0.857) 1880 Troy Trojans NL 1
Dutch Leonard 0.96 (0.961) 1914 Boston Red Sox AL 2
Ed Cushman 1.00 (1.000) 1884 Milwaukee Grays UA 3
Mordecai Brown 1.04 (1.038) 1906 Chicago Cubs NL 4
Bob Gibson 1.12 (1.123) 1968 St. Louis Cardinals NL 5
Christy Mathewson 1.14 (1.144) 1909 New York Giants NL 6
Walter Johnson 1.14 (1.145) 1913 Washington Senators AL 7
Jack Pfiester 1.15 (1.154) 1907 Chicago Cubs NL 8
Addie Joss 1.16 (1.163) 1908 Cleveland Naps AL 9
Carl Lundgren 1.17 (1.174) 1907 Chicago Cubs NL 10
Denny Driscoll 1.21 (1.209) 1882 Pittsburgh Alleghenys AA 11
Grover Alexander 1.22 (1.220) 1915 Philadelphia Phillies NL 12
George Bradley 1.23 (1.225) 1876 St. Louis Brown Stockings NL 13
Cy Young 1.26 (1.264) 1908 Boston Red Sox AL 14
Ed Walsh 1.27 (1.266) 1910 Chicago White Sox AL 15
Walter Johnson 1.27 (1.270) 1918 Washington Senators AL 16
Christy Mathewson 1.28 (1.276) 1905 New York Giants NL 17
Guy Hecker 1.30 (1.298) 1882 Louisville Eclipse AA 18
Jack Coombs 1.30 (1.300) 1910 Philadelphia Athletics AL 19
Mordecai Brown 1.31 (1.313) 1909 Chicago Cubs NL 20
Jack Taylor 1.33 (1.331) 1902 Chicago Cubs NL 21
Walter Johnson 1.36 (1.362) 1910 Washington Senators AL 22
George Bradley 1.38 (1.378) 1880 Providence Grays NL 23
Old Hoss Radbourn 1.38 (1.379) 1884 Providence Grays NL 24
Walter Johnson 1.39 (1.390) 1912 Washington Senators AL 25
Mordecai Brown 1.39 (1.391) 1907 Chicago Cubs NL 26
Harry Krause 1.39 (1.394) 1909 Philadelphia Athletics AL 27
Ed Walsh 1.41 (1.407) 1909 Chicago White Sox AL 28
Ed Walsh 1.42 (1.416) 1908 Chicago White Sox AL 29
Ed Reulbach 1.42 (1.419) 1905 Chicago Cubs NL 30
Orval Overall 1.42 (1.421) 1909 Chicago Cubs NL 31
Christy Mathewson 1.43 (1.428) 1908 New York Giants NL 32
Fred Anderson 1.44 (1.444) 1917 New York Giants NL 33
Mordecai Brown 1.47 (1.470) 1908 Chicago Cubs NL 34
Rube Waddell 1.48 (1.479) 1905 Philadelphia Athletics AL 35
Joe Wood 1.49 (1.487) 1915 Boston Red Sox AL 36
Walter Johnson 1.49 (1.488) 1919 Washington Senators AL 37
Jack Pfiester 1.51 (1.508) 1906 Chicago Cubs NL 38
John Ward 1.51 (1.509) 1878 Providence Grays NL 39
Harry McCormick 1.52 (1.516) 1882 Cincinnati Red Stockings AA 40
Doc White 1.52 (1.518) 1906 Chicago White Sox AL 41
George McQuillan 1.53 (1.526) 1908 Philadelphia Phillies NL 42
Dwight Gooden 1.53 (1.529) 1985 New York Mets NL 43
Eddie Cicotte 1.53 (1.532) 1917 Chicago White Sox AL 44
Will White 1.54 (1.538) 1882 Cincinnati Red Stockings AA 45
Cy Morgan 1.55 (1.548) 1910 Philadelphia Athletics AL 46
Grover Alexander 1.55 (1.550) 1916 Philadelphia Phillies NL 47
Walter Johnson 1.55 (1.550) 1915 Washington Senators AL  
Howie Camnitz 1.56 (1.559) 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 49
Greg Maddux 1.56 (1.559) 1994 Atlanta Braves NL  
Jim Devlin 1.56 (1.563) 1876 Louisville Grays NL 51
Tim Keefe 1.57 (1.575) 1885 New York Giants NL 52
Fred Toney 1.58 (1.576) 1915 Cincinnati Reds NL 53
Eddie Cicotte 1.58 (1.578) 1913 Chicago White Sox AL 54
Rube Marquard 1.58 (1.580) 1916 Brooklyn Robins NL 55
Chief Bender 1.58 (1.584) 1910 Philadelphia Athletics AL 56
Barney Pelty 1.59 (1.588) 1906 St. Louis Browns AL 57
Addie Joss 1.59 (1.591) 1904 Cleveland Blues AL 58
Ed Walsh 1.60 (1.598) 1907 Chicago White Sox AL 59
Luis Tiant 1.60 (1.603) 1968 Cleveland Indians AL 60
Joe McGinnity 1.61 (1.610) 1904 New York Giants NL 61
Ray Collins 1.62 (1.619) 1910 Boston Red Sox AL 62
Rube Waddell 1.62 (1.621) 1904 Philadelphia Athletics AL 63
Howie Camnitz 1.62 (1.622) 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 64
Cy Young 1.62 (1.624) 1901 Boston Americans AL 65
Shane Bieber 1.63 (1.629) 2020 Cleveland Indians AL 66
Greg Maddux 1.63 (1.631) 1995 Atlanta Braves NL 67
Spud Chandler 1.64 (1.636) 1943 New York Yankees AL 68
Ernie Shore 1.64 (1.640) 1915 Boston Red Sox AL 69
Silver King 1.64 (1.644) 1888 St. Louis Browns AA 70
Ed Summers 1.64 (1.645) 1908 Detroit Tigers AL 71
Dean Chance 1.65 (1.649) 1964 Los Angeles Angels AL 72
Walter Johnson 1.65 (1.650) 1908 Washington Senators AL 73
Ed Reulbach 1.65 (1.651) 1906 Chicago Cubs NL 74
Russ Ford 1.65 (1.652) 1910 New York Highlanders AL 75
Chief Bender 1.66 (1.656) 1909 Philadelphia Athletics AL 76
Zack Greinke 1.66 (1.657) 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 77
Sam Leever 1.66 (1.662) 1907 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 78
Carl Hubbell 1.66 (1.662) 1933 New York Giants NL  
Mickey Welch 1.66 (1.665) 1885 New York Giants NL 80
Otto Hess 1.67 (1.665) 1904 Cleveland Blues AL  
Candy Cummings 1.67 (1.667) 1876 Hartford Dark Blues NL 82
Frank Killen 1.68 (1.676) 1891 Milwaukee Brewers AA 83
Joe Wood 1.68 (1.676) 1910 Boston Red Sox AL  
Tommy Bond 1.68 (1.676) 1876 Hartford Dark Blues NL  
Orval Overall 1.68 (1.677) 1907 Chicago Cubs NL 86
Ed Reulbach 1.69 (1.688) 1907 Chicago Cubs NL 87
Claude Hendrix 1.69 (1.691) 1914 Chicago Whales FL 88
Bill Burns 1.69 (1.691) 1908 Washington Senators AL  
Nolan Ryan 1.69 (1.691) 1981 Houston Astros NL  
Jim McCormick 1.69 (1.692) 1878 Indianapolis Blues NL 91
Jacob deGrom 1.70 (1.700) 2018 New York Mets NL 92
Rube Foster 1.70 (1.701) 1914 Boston Red Sox AL 93
Charlie Sweeney 1.70 (1.701) 1884 Providence Grays NL  
St. Louis Maroons UA
Addie Joss 1.71 (1.706) 1909 Cleveland Naps AL 95
Ed Killian 1.71 (1.713) 1909 Detroit Tigers AL 96
Walter Johnson 1.72 (1.719) 1914 Washington Senators AL 97
Ned Garvin 1.72 (1.719) 1904 Brooklyn Superbas NL  
New York Highlanders AL
Doc White 1.72 (1.722) 1909 Chicago White Sox AL 99
Bill Doak 1.72 (1.723) 1914 St. Louis Cardinals NL 100
Grover Alexander 1.72 (1.723) 1919 Chicago Cubs NL  
Addie Joss 1.72 (1.723) 1906 Cleveland Naps AL  
Trevor Bauer 1.73 (1.726) 2020 Cincinnati Reds NL 103
Sandy Koufax 1.73 (1.728) 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 104
Bob Ewing 1.73 (1.731) 1907 Cincinnati Reds NL 105
Vic Willis 1.73 (1.733) 1906 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 106
Sandy Koufax 1.74 (1.735) 1964 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 107
Hippo Vaughn 1.74 (1.736) 1918 Chicago Cubs NL 108
Charlie Chech 1.74 (1.738) 1908 Cleveland Naps AL 109
John Ward 1.74 (1.739) 1880 Providence Grays NL 110
Henry Boyle 1.74 (1.740) 1884 St. Louis Maroons UA 111
Tim Keefe 1.74 (1.741) 1888 New York Giants NL 112
Pedro Martinez 1.74 (1.742) 2000 Boston Red Sox AL 113
Ron Guidry 1.74 (1.743) 1978 New York Yankees AL 114
Carl Mays 1.74 (1.744) 1917 Boston Red Sox AL 115
Earl Moore 1.74 (1.744) 1903 Cleveland Blues AL  
Justin Verlander 1.75 (1.749) 2022 Houston Astros AL 117
Babe Ruth 1.75 (1.752) 1916 Boston Red Sox AL 118
Al Spalding 1.75 (1.753) 1876 Chicago White Stockings NL 119
Fred Goldsmith 1.75 (1.754) 1880 Chicago White Stockings NL 120
Henry Boyle 1.76 (1.757) 1886 St. Louis Maroons NL 121
Tom Seaver 1.76 (1.760) 1971 New York Mets NL 122
Doc White 1.76 (1.763) 1905 Chicago White Sox AL 123
Eddie Plank 1.76 (1.764) 1909 Philadelphia Athletics AL 124
Noodles Hahn 1.77 (1.766) 1902 Cincinnati Reds NL 125
Bob Rhoads 1.77 (1.767) 1908 Cleveland Naps AL 126
Jake Arrieta 1.77 (1.769) 2015 Chicago Cubs NL 127
Clayton Kershaw 1.77 (1.770) 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 128
Jack Powell 1.77 (1.770) 1906 St. Louis Browns AL  
Mort Cooper 1.78 (1.776) 1942 St. Louis Cardinals NL 130
Doc White 1.78 (1.776) 1904 Chicago White Sox AL  
Ed Killian 1.78 (1.777) 1907 Detroit Tigers AL 132
Eddie Cicotte 1.78 (1.781) 1916 Chicago White Sox AL 133
Ed Reulbach 1.78 (1.782) 1909 Chicago Cubs NL 134
Andy Coakley 1.78 (1.782) 1908 Chicago Cubs NL  
Cincinnati Reds NL
Will White 1.79 (1.788) 1878 Cincinnati Reds NL 136
Hippo Vaughn 1.79 (1.790) 1919 Chicago Cubs NL 137
Guy Hecker 1.80 (1.798) 1884 Louisville Colonels AA 138
Billy O'Brien 1.80 (1.800) 1884 St. Paul White Caps UA 139
Bob Rhoads 1.80 (1.800) 1906 Cleveland Naps AL  
Frank Smith 1.80 (1.800) 1909 Chicago White Sox AL  
Stump Wiedman 1.80 (1.800) 1881 Detroit Wolverines NL  
Vean Gregg 1.80 (1.802) 1911 Cleveland Naps AL 143
King Cole 1.80 (1.803) 1910 Chicago Cubs NL 144
Sam McDowell 1.81 (1.807) 1968 Cleveland Indians AL 145
Hal Newhouser 1.81 (1.810) 1945 Detroit Tigers AL 146
Stan Coveleski 1.81 (1.810) 1917 Cleveland Indians AL  
Cy Morgan 1.81 (1.810) 1909 Boston Red Sox AL  
Philadelphia Athletics AL
Dutch Ruether 1.82 (1.817) 1919 Cincinnati Reds NL 149
Vida Blue 1.82 (1.817) 1971 Oakland Athletics AL  
Russ Ford 1.82 (1.819) 1914 Buffalo Buffeds FL 151
Eddie Cicotte 1.82 (1.820) 1919 Chicago White Sox AL 152
Jack Chesbro 1.82 (1.821) 1904 New York Highlanders AL 153
Stan Coveleski 1.82 (1.823) 1918 Cleveland Indians AL 154
Cy Young 1.82 (1.824) 1905 Boston Americans AL 155
Lew Richie 1.83 (1.827) 1908 Philadelphia Phillies NL 156
Hippo Vaughn 1.83 (1.827) 1910 New York Highlanders AL  
Clayton Kershaw 1.83 (1.831) 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 158
Grover Alexander 1.83 (1.832) 1917 Philadelphia Phillies NL 159
Addie Joss 1.83 (1.834) 1907 Cleveland Naps AL 160
Otto Hess 1.83 (1.834) 1906 Cleveland Naps AL  
Andy Coakley 1.84 (1.835) 1905 Philadelphia Athletics AL 162
Fred Toney 1.84 (1.840) 1919 New York Giants NL 163
Jim McCormick 1.84 (1.842) 1883 Cleveland Blues NL 164
Jim McCormick 1.85 (1.847) 1880 Cleveland Blues NL 165
John Clarkson 1.85 (1.849) 1885 Chicago White Stockings NL 166
Eppa Rixey 1.85 (1.850) 1916 Philadelphia Phillies NL 167
Lady Baldwin 1.86 (1.857) 1885 Detroit Wolverines NL 168
Mordecai Brown 1.86 (1.859) 1910 Chicago Cubs NL 169
Mordecai Brown 1.86 (1.865) 1904 Chicago Cubs NL 170
Lefty Leifield 1.87 (1.866) 1906 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 171
Wilbur Cooper 1.87 (1.866) 1916 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Phil Niekro 1.87 (1.870) 1967 Atlanta Braves NL 173
Kaiser Wilhelm 1.87 (1.870) 1908 Brooklyn Superbas NL  
Roger Clemens 1.87 (1.874) 2005 Houston Astros NL 175
Ed Walsh 1.88 (1.875) 1906 Chicago White Sox AL 176
Tony Mullane 1.88 (1.877) 1882 Louisville Eclipse AA 177
Clark Griffith 1.88 (1.879) 1898 Chicago Orphans NL 178
Joe Horlen 1.88 (1.880) 1964 Chicago White Sox AL 179
Joe Lake 1.88 (1.881) 1909 New York Highlanders AL 180
Sandy Koufax 1.88 (1.881) 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers NL  
Nick Altrock 1.88 (1.882) 1905 Chicago White Sox AL 182
Pol Perritt 1.88 (1.884) 1917 New York Giants NL 183
Harry Howell 1.89 (1.887) 1908 St. Louis Browns AL 184
Rube Waddell 1.89 (1.890) 1908 St. Louis Browns AL 185
Kevin Brown 1.89 (1.893) 1996 Florida Marlins NL 186
Blake Snell 1.89 (1.893) 2018 Tampa Bay Rays AL  
Christy Mathewson 1.89 (1.894) 1910 New York Giants NL 188
Bill James 1.90 (1.896) 1914 Boston Braves NL 189
Ben Sanders 1.90 (1.896) 1888 Philadelphia Phillies NL  
Walter Johnson 1.90 (1.899) 1911 Washington Senators AL 191
Walter Johnson 1.90 (1.899) 1916 Washington Senators AL  
Art Fromme 1.90 (1.901) 1909 Cincinnati Reds NL 193
Jim Scott 1.90 (1.902) 1913 Chicago White Sox AL 194
Pedro Martinez 1.90 (1.902) 1997 Montreal Expos NL  
Reb Russell 1.90 (1.904) 1913 Chicago White Sox AL 196
Jake Weimer 1.91 (1.906) 1904 Chicago Cubs NL 197
Grover Alexander 1.91 (1.907) 1920 Chicago Cubs NL 198
Willie Mitchell 1.91 (1.908) 1913 Cleveland Naps AL 199
Charley Hall 1.91 (1.908) 1910 Boston Red Sox AL  
Joe Wood 1.91 (1.910) 1912 Boston Red Sox AL 201
Luis Tiant 1.91 (1.911) 1972 Boston Red Sox AL 202
Charlie Buffinton 1.91 (1.911) 1888 Philadelphia Phillies NL  
Ed Siever 1.91 (1.912) 1902 Detroit Tigers AL 204
Wilbur Wood 1.91 (1.913) 1971 Chicago White Sox AL 205
Earl Moseley 1.91 (1.914) 1915 Newark Peppers FL 206
Bill Burns 1.92 (1.916) 1909 Chicago White Sox AL 207
Washington Senators AL
Jeff Pfeffer 1.92 (1.917) 1916 Brooklyn Robins NL 208
Gaylord Perry 1.92 (1.917) 1972 Cleveland Indians AL  
Orval Overall 1.92 (1.920) 1908 Chicago Cubs NL 210
Larry Cheney 1.92 (1.921) 1916 Brooklyn Robins NL 211
Red Faber 1.92 (1.923) 1917 Chicago White Sox AL 212
Mickey Welch 1.93 (1.926) 1888 New York Giants NL 213
Cy Young 1.93 (1.927) 1892 Cleveland Spiders NL 214
Dolf Luque 1.93 (1.929) 1923 Cincinnati Reds NL 215
John Tudor 1.93 (1.931) 1985 St. Louis Cardinals NL 216
Roger Clemens 1.93 (1.931) 1990 Boston Red Sox AL  
Harry Howell 1.93 (1.935) 1907 St. Louis Browns AL 218
Hal Newhouser 1.94 (1.937) 1946 Detroit Tigers AL 219
Allen Sothoron 1.94 (1.938) 1918 St. Louis Browns AL 220
Max Lanier 1.94 (1.941) 1943 St. Louis Cardinals NL 221
Frank Owen 1.94 (1.943) 1904 Chicago White Sox AL 222
Ray Caldwell 1.94 (1.944) 1914 New York Yankees AL 223
Dave McNally 1.95 (1.945) 1968 Baltimore Orioles AL 224
Larry Corcoran 1.95 (1.947) 1880 Chicago White Stockings NL 225
Jesse Tannehill 1.95 (1.948) 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 226
Larry Corcoran 1.95 (1.948) 1882 Chicago White Stockings NL  
Reb Russell 1.95 (1.949) 1917 Chicago White Sox AL 228
Sam Weaver 1.95 (1.950) 1878 Milwaukee Grays NL 229
Billy Rhines 1.95 (1.951) 1890 Cincinnati Reds NL 230
Ferdie Schupp 1.95 (1.952) 1917 New York Giants NL 231
Fred Olmstead 1.95 (1.953) 1910 Chicago White Sox AL 232
Charlie Getzien 1.95 (1.955) 1884 Detroit Wolverines NL 233
Denny McLain 1.96 (1.955) 1968 Detroit Tigers AL  
Tommy Bond 1.96 (1.961) 1879 Boston Red Caps NL 235
Jeff Tesreau 1.96 (1.963) 1912 New York Giants NL 236
Jim Bagby 1.96 (1.965) 1917 Cleveland Indians AL 237
Cy Young 1.97 (1.966) 1904 Boston Americans AL 238
Carl Lundgren 1.97 (1.969) 1902 Chicago Cubs NL 239
Billy Pierce 1.97 (1.969) 1955 Chicago White Sox AL  
Harry Coveleski 1.97 (1.970) 1916 Detroit Tigers AL 241
Jeff Pfeffer 1.97 (1.971) 1914 Brooklyn Robins NL 242
Eddie Cicotte 1.97 (1.973) 1909 Boston Red Sox AL 243
Perry Werden 1.97 (1.974) 1884 St. Louis Maroons UA 244
Steve Carlton 1.97 (1.975) 1972 Philadelphia Phillies NL 245
Scott Perry 1.98 (1.977) 1918 Philadelphia Athletics AL 246
Harry Howell 1.98 (1.978) 1905 St. Louis Browns AL 247
Gary Peters 1.98 (1.979) 1966 Chicago White Sox AL 248
Charlie Ferguson 1.98 (1.979) 1886 Philadelphia Phillies NL  
Tommy John 1.98 (1.979) 1968 Chicago White Sox AL  
Babe Adams 1.98 (1.982) 1919 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 251
Will White 1.99 (1.985) 1879 Cincinnati Reds NL 252
Bobby Bolin 1.99 (1.987) 1968 San Francisco Giants NL 253
Dallas Keuchel 1.99 (1.989) 2020 Chicago White Sox AL 254
Cy Young 1.99 (1.992) 1907 Boston Americans AL 255
Christy Mathewson 1.99 (1.993) 1911 New York Giants NL 256
Pud Galvin 1.99 (1.994) 1884 Buffalo Bisons NL 257
Gary Nolan 1.99 (1.994) 1972 Cincinnati Reds NL  
Jack Taylor 1.99 (1.994) 1906 Chicago Cubs NL  
St. Louis Cardinals NL
Christy Mathewson 2.00 (2.000) 1907 New York Giants NL 260
Jack Pfiester 2.00 (2.000) 1908 Chicago Cubs NL  
Tully Sparks 2.00 (2.004) 1907 Philadelphia Phillies NL 262
Lon Warneke 2.00 (2.005) 1933 Chicago Cubs NL 263
Lefty Tyler 2.00 (2.005) 1918 Chicago Cubs NL  
Hooks Wiltse 2.00 (2.005) 1909 New York Giants NL  
Harry Gaspar 2.01 (2.008) 1909 Cincinnati Reds NL 266
Charlie Hodnett 2.01 (2.008) 1884 St. Louis Maroons UA  
Hippo Vaughn 2.01 (2.009) 1917 Chicago Cubs NL 268
Whitey Ford 2.01 (2.011) 1958 New York Yankees AL 269
Ed Seward 2.01 (2.013) 1888 Philadelphia Athletics AA 270
Yu Darvish 2.01 (2.013) 2020 Chicago Cubs NL  
Doc Watson 2.01 (2.013) 1914 Chicago Whales FL  
St. Louis Terriers FL
Babe Ruth 2.01 (2.013) 1917 Boston Red Sox AL  
Eddie Plank 2.01 (2.013) 1910 Philadelphia Athletics AL  
Addie Joss 2.01 (2.014) 1905 Cleveland Naps AL 275
Kid Nichols 2.02 (2.016) 1904 St. Louis Cardinals NL 276
Red Faber 2.02 (2.016) 1916 Chicago White Sox AL  
Al Benton 2.02 (2.019) 1945 Detroit Tigers AL 278
Lefty Tyler 2.02 (2.021) 1916 Boston Braves NL 279
Bob Wicker 2.02 (2.022) 1905 Chicago Cubs NL 280
Joe Wood 2.02 (2.024) 1911 Boston Red Sox AL 281
Bugs Raymond 2.03 (2.026) 1908 St. Louis Cardinals NL 282
Ed Reulbach 2.03 (2.026) 1908 Chicago Cubs NL  
Frank Smith 2.03 (2.026) 1908 Chicago White Sox AL  
Orel Hershiser 2.03 (2.028) 1985 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 285
Phil Douglas 2.03 (2.028) 1919 Chicago Cubs NL  
New York Giants NL
Adonis Terry 2.03 (2.031) 1888 Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers AA 287
Christy Mathewson 2.03 (2.032) 1904 New York Giants NL 288
Jim Scott 2.03 (2.035) 1915 Chicago White Sox AL 289
Ed Karger 2.04 (2.035) 1907 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Sandy Koufax 2.04 (2.038) 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 291
Eddie Cicotte 2.04 (2.038) 1914 Chicago White Sox AL  
Al Mamaux 2.04 (2.038) 1915 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Catfish Hunter 2.04 (2.042) 1972 Oakland Athletics AL 294
Jesse Tannehill 2.04 (2.045) 1904 Boston Americans AL 295
Roger Clemens 2.05 (2.045) 1997 Toronto Blue Jays AL  
Buttons Briggs 2.05 (2.047) 1904 Chicago Cubs NL 297
Nick Cullop 2.05 (2.048) 1916 New York Yankees AL 298
Old Hoss Radbourn 2.05 (2.050) 1883 Providence Grays NL 299
Deacon Phillippe 2.05 (2.051) 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 300
Chief Bender 2.05 (2.052) 1907 Philadelphia Athletics AL 301
Rube Waddell 2.05 (2.052) 1902 Philadelphia Athletics AL  
Patsy Flaherty 2.05 (2.053) 1904 Chicago White Sox AL 303
Pittsburgh Pirates NL
Hippo Vaughn 2.05 (2.053) 1914 Chicago Cubs NL  
Stan Bahnsen 2.05 (2.054) 1968 New York Yankees AL 305
Bob Veale 2.05 (2.054) 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Glenn Liebhardt 2.05 (2.055) 1907 Cleveland Naps AL 307
Slim Sallee 2.06 (2.056) 1919 Cincinnati Reds NL 308
Noodles Hahn 2.06 (2.056) 1904 Cincinnati Reds NL  
Sam Leever 2.06 (2.057) 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 310
Lefty Grove 2.06 (2.058) 1931 Philadelphia Athletics AL 311
Joe Horlen 2.06 (2.058) 1967 Chicago White Sox AL  
Christy Mathewson 2.06 (2.059) 1913 New York Giants NL 313
Nap Rucker 2.06 (2.059) 1907 Brooklyn Superbas NL  
Tommy Bond 2.06 (2.061) 1878 Boston Red Caps NL 315
Allie Reynolds 2.06 (2.063) 1952 New York Yankees AL 316
Nick Altrock 2.06 (2.065) 1906 Chicago White Sox AL 317
Jim Palmer 2.07 (2.067) 1972 Baltimore Orioles AL 318
Pedro Martinez 2.07 (2.067) 1999 Boston Red Sox AL  
Carl Weilman 2.07 (2.068) 1919 St. Louis Browns AL 320
Vic Willis 2.07 (2.068) 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
George Winter 2.07 (2.069) 1907 Boston Americans AL 322
Bob Caruthers 2.07 (2.071) 1885 St. Louis Browns AA 323
Bill Sowders 2.07 (2.073) 1888 Boston Beaneaters NL 324
Bill Swift 2.08 (2.077) 1992 San Francisco Giants NL 325
Bill Donovan 2.08 (2.077) 1908 Detroit Tigers AL  
Pat Ragan 2.08 (2.077) 1916 Boston Braves NL  
Carl Weilman 2.08 (2.077) 1914 St. Louis Browns AL  
Roger Nelson 2.08 (2.077) 1972 Kansas City Royals AL  
Nap Rucker 2.08 (2.079) 1908 Brooklyn Superbas NL 330
Tom Seaver 2.08 (2.079) 1973 New York Mets NL  
Don Sutton 2.08 (2.079) 1972 Los Angeles Dodgers NL  
Eddie Plank 2.08 (2.080) 1915 St. Louis Terriers FL 333
Cy Young 2.08 (2.081) 1903 Boston Americans AL 334
Jerry Koosman 2.08 (2.082) 1968 New York Mets NL 335
Mike O'Neill 2.09 (2.086) 1904 St. Louis Cardinals NL 336
Dazzy Vance 2.09 (2.087) 1928 Brooklyn Robins NL 337
Dinelson Lamet 2.09 (2.087) 2020 San Diego Padres NL  
Old Hoss Radbourn 2.09 (2.089) 1882 Providence Grays NL 339
Jim Whitney 2.09 (2.089) 1884 Boston Beaneaters NL  
Jim Palmer 2.09 (2.090) 1975 Baltimore Orioles AL 341
Will White 2.09 (2.090) 1883 Cincinnati Red Stockings AA  
Frank Smith 2.09 (2.091) 1904 Chicago White Sox AL 343
Bill James 2.09 (2.091) 1917 Detroit Tigers AL  
Mordecai Brown 2.09 (2.095) 1915 Chicago Whales FL 345
Ned Garvin 2.09 (2.095) 1902 Brooklyn Superbas NL  
Chicago White Sox AL
Ted Lyons 2.10 (2.096) 1942 Chicago White Sox AL 347
Carl Mays 2.10 (2.098) 1919 Boston Red Sox AL 348
New York Yankees AL
Howie Pollet 2.10 (2.098) 1946 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Jeff Pfeffer 2.10 (2.098) 1915 Brooklyn Robins NL  
Spud Chandler 2.10 (2.098) 1946 New York Yankees AL  
Lefty Leifield 2.10 (2.099) 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 352
Billy Taylor 2.10 (2.099) 1884 Philadelphia Athletics AA  
St. Louis Maroons UA
Warren Spahn 2.10 (2.100) 1953 Milwaukee Braves NL 354
Bill Dinneen 2.10 (2.102) 1908 St. Louis Browns AL 355
Frank Owen 2.10 (2.102) 1905 Chicago White Sox AL  
Sam Leever 2.10 (2.102) 1908 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Juan Marichal 2.10 (2.102) 1969 San Francisco Giants NL  
Earl Moore 2.10 (2.102) 1909 Philadelphia Phillies NL  
Dave Roberts 2.10 (2.103) 1971 San Diego Padres NL 360
Al Maul 2.10 (2.103) 1898 Baltimore Orioles NL  
Eddie Plank 2.10 (2.104) 1911 Philadelphia Athletics AL 362
Pete Schneider 2.10 (2.104) 1917 Cincinnati Reds NL  
Slim Sallee 2.10 (2.104) 1914 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Frank Corridon 2.11 (2.105) 1909 Philadelphia Phillies NL 365
Dick Ellsworth 2.11 (2.106) 1963 Chicago Cubs NL 366
Dave Foutz 2.11 (2.107) 1886 St. Louis Browns AA 367
Wilbur Cooper 2.11 (2.107) 1918 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Tommy Bond 2.11 (2.107) 1877 Boston Red Caps NL  
Ray Fisher 2.11 (2.108) 1915 New York Yankees AL 370
Jack Powell 2.11 (2.109) 1909 St. Louis Browns AL 371
Jack Powell 2.11 (2.109) 1908 St. Louis Browns AL  
Bullet Joe Bush 2.11 (2.112) 1918 Boston Red Sox AL 373
Harry Howell 2.11 (2.114) 1906 St. Louis Browns AL 374
Christy Mathewson 2.11 (2.114) 1902 New York Giants NL  
Joe Benz 2.11 (2.115) 1915 Chicago White Sox AL 376
Rube Foster 2.11 (2.115) 1915 Boston Red Sox AL  
Lew Brockett 2.12 (2.118) 1909 New York Highlanders AL 378
Johnny Lush 2.12 (2.118) 1908 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Bill Bernhard 2.12 (2.119) 1903 Cleveland Blues AL 380
Tom Hughes 2.12 (2.119) 1915 Boston Braves NL  
Christy Mathewson 2.12 (2.119) 1912 New York Giants NL  
Dizzy Trout 2.12 (2.120) 1944 Detroit Tigers AL 383
Heinie Berger 2.12 (2.122) 1908 Cleveland Naps AL 384
Roger Wolff 2.12 (2.124) 1945 Washington Senators AL 385
Steve Blass 2.12 (2.124) 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Dutch Leonard 2.12 (2.125) 1945 Washington Senators AL 387
Phil Douglas 2.13 (2.126) 1918 Chicago Cubs NL 388
Wilbur Cooper 2.13 (2.126) 1914 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
John Ward 2.13 (2.127) 1881 Providence Grays NL 390
Clayton Kershaw 2.13 (2.128) 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 391
Frank Smith 2.13 (2.129) 1905 Chicago White Sox AL 392
Doc White 2.13 (2.130) 1903 Chicago White Sox AL 393
Kyle Hendricks 2.13 (2.132) 2016 Chicago Cubs NL 394
Johnny Beazley 2.13 (2.132) 1942 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Mickey Hughes 2.13 (2.132) 1888 Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers AA  
Bill Bernhard 2.13 (2.133) 1904 Cleveland Blues AL 397
Juan Marichal 2.13 (2.133) 1965 San Francisco Giants NL  
Whitey Ford 2.13 (2.134) 1964 New York Yankees AL 399
Kid Nichols 2.13 (2.134) 1898 Boston Beaneaters NL  
John Clarkson 2.14 (2.136) 1884 Chicago White Stockings NL 401
Felix Hernández 2.14 (2.136) 2014 Seattle Mariners AL  
Burleigh Grimes 2.14 (2.136) 1918 Brooklyn Robins NL  
Bobby Mitchell 2.14 (2.138) 1878 Cincinnati Reds NL 404
Guy Morton 2.14 (2.138) 1915 Cleveland Indians AL  
Terry Larkin 2.14 (2.138) 1877 Hartford Dark Blues NL  
Will White 2.14 (2.140) 1880 Cincinnati Reds NL 407
Joe Boehling 2.14 (2.142) 1913 Washington Senators AL 408
Buttons Briggs 2.14 (2.143) 1905 Chicago Cubs NL 409
Jack Manning 2.14 (2.144) 1876 Boston Red Caps NL 410
George McQuillan 2.14 (2.144) 1909 Philadelphia Phillies NL  
Don Drysdale 2.15 (2.146) 1968 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 412
Charlie Buffinton 2.15 (2.147) 1884 Boston Beaneaters NL 413
John Ward 2.15 (2.147) 1879 Providence Grays NL  
Lee Richmond 2.15 (2.148) 1880 Worcester Ruby Legs NL 415
Rube Waddell 2.15 (2.150) 1907 Philadelphia Athletics AL 416
Howie Camnitz 2.15 (2.150) 1907 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Bill Bernhard 2.15 (2.150) 1902 Cleveland Blues AL  
Philadelphia Athletics AL
Babe Adams 2.15 (2.152) 1913 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 419
Carl Weilman 2.15 (2.152) 1916 St. Louis Browns AL  
Cy Young 2.15 (2.153) 1902 Boston Americans AL 421
Ed Walsh 2.15 (2.153) 1912 Chicago White Sox AL  
Vern Law 2.15 (2.153) 1965 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Babe Adams 2.16 (2.156) 1920 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 424
Hal Schumacher 2.16 (2.157) 1933 New York Giants NL 425
Zack Greinke 2.16 (2.158) 2009 Kansas City Royals AL 426
Tully Sparks 2.16 (2.160) 1906 Philadelphia Phillies NL 427
Julio Urías 2.16 (2.160) 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers NL  
Dazzy Vance 2.16 (2.160) 1924 Brooklyn Robins NL  
Red Ames 2.16 (2.160) 1907 New York Giants NL  
Art Nehf 2.16 (2.160) 1917 Boston Braves NL  
Bret Saberhagen 2.16 (2.161) 1989 Kansas City Royals AL 432
Ed Siever 2.16 (2.163) 1907 Detroit Tigers AL 433
Bob Tewksbury 2.16 (2.163) 1992 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Chief Bender 2.16 (2.163) 1911 Philadelphia Athletics AL  
Dick Rudolph 2.16 (2.163) 1916 Boston Braves NL  
Case Patten 2.17 (2.165) 1906 Washington Senators AL 437
Eddie Plank 2.17 (2.166) 1904 Philadelphia Athletics AL 438
Doc Ayers 2.17 (2.167) 1917 Washington Senators AL 439
Sam Leever 2.17 (2.167) 1904 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Ray Fisher 2.17 (2.168) 1919 Cincinnati Reds NL 441
Mordecai Brown 2.17 (2.169) 1905 Chicago Cubs NL 442
Jack Chesbro 2.17 (2.169) 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates NL  
Slim Sallee 2.17 (2.170) 1917 New York Giants NL 444
Jeff Tesreau 2.17 (2.170) 1913 New York Giants NL  
Eddie Plank 2.17 (2.170) 1908 Philadelphia Athletics AL  
Dick Rudolph 2.17 (2.171) 1919 Boston Braves NL 447
Steve Carlton 2.17 (2.171) 1969 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Dutch Leonard 2.17 (2.171) 1917 Boston Red Sox AL  
Mike Paul 2.17 (2.171) 1972 Texas Rangers AL  
Chris Sale 2.17 (2.172) 2014 Chicago White Sox AL 451
Guy Hecker 2.17 (2.175) 1885 Louisville Colonels AA 452
Hooks Wiltse 2.18 (2.175) 1907 New York Giants NL  
Jesse Tannehill 2.18 (2.176) 1901 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 454
Sam McDowell 2.18 (2.176) 1965 Cleveland Indians AL  
Harry Harper 2.18 (2.176) 1918 Washington Senators AL  
Dave Foutz 2.18 (2.177) 1884 St. Louis Browns AA 457
Joe Magrane 2.18 (2.177) 1988 St. Louis Cardinals NL  
Bob Gibson 2.18 (2.178) 1969 St. Louis Cardinals NL 459
Ed Morris 2.18 (2.178) 1884 Columbus Colts AA  
George Mogridge 2.18 (2.181) 1918 New York Yankees AL 461
Bob Feller 2.18 (2.181) 1946 Cleveland Indians AL  
Greg Maddux 2.18 (2.183) 1992 Chicago Cubs NL 463
Bob Knepper 2.18 (2.183) 1981 Houston Astros NL  
Tully Sparks 2.18 (2.184) 1905 Philadelphia Phillies NL 465
Joe Wood 2.18 (2.185) 1909 Boston Red Sox AL 466
Don Drysdale 2.18 (2.185) 1964 Los Angeles Dodgers NL  
Frank Arellanes 2.18 (2.185) 1909 Boston Red Sox AL  
Willie Mitchell 2.19 (2.185) 1917 Detroit Tigers AL  
Dummy Taylor 2.19 (2.186) 1902 Cleveland Blues AL 470
New York Giants NL
Tony Mullane 2.19 (2.188) 1883 St. Louis Browns AA 471
José Fernández 2.19 (2.189) 2013 Miami Marlins NL 472
Addie Joss 2.19 (2.189) 1903 Cleveland Blues AL  
Hoyt Wilhelm 2.19 (2.190) 1959 Baltimore Orioles AL 474
Ice Box Chamberlain 2.19 (2.192) 1888 Louisville Colonels AA 475
St. Louis Browns AA
Dick Bosman 2.19 (2.192) 1969 Washington Senators AL  
Bill Donovan 2.19 (2.192) 1907 Detroit Tigers AL  
Harry Howell 2.19 (2.192) 1904 St. Louis Browns AL  
Deacon Phillippe 2.19 (2.194) 1905 Pittsburgh Pirates NL 479
Vic Willis 2.20 (2.195) 1902 Boston Beaneaters NL 480
Jack Chesbro 2.20 (2.196) 1905 New York Highlanders AL 481
Dummy Taylor 2.20 (2.197) 1906 New York Giants NL 482
George McConnell 2.20 (2.198) 1915 Chicago Whales FL 483
Glenn Liebhardt 2.20 (2.198) 1908 Cleveland Naps AL  
Bill Dinneen 2.20 (2.199) 1904 Boston Americans AL 485
Fred Toney 2.20 (2.199) 1917 Cincinnati Reds NL  
Eddie Plank 2.20 (2.200) 1907 Philadelphia Athletics AL 487
Allen Sothoron 2.20 (2.200) 1919 St. Louis Browns AL  
Dave Davenport 2.20 (2.200) 1915 St. Louis Terriers FL  
Dylan Cease 2.20 (2.201) 2022 Chicago White Sox AL 490
Old Hoss Radbourn 2.20 (2.201) 1885 Providence Grays NL  
George Derby 2.20 (2.201) 1881 Detroit Wolverines NL  
Chris Short 2.20 (2.202) 1964 Philadelphia Phillies NL 493
Tom Seaver 2.20 (2.204) 1968 New York Mets NL 494
Hippo Vaughn 2.20 (2.204) 1916 Chicago Cubs NL  
Joe Lake 2.20 (2.204) 1910 St. Louis Browns AL  
Don Sutton 2.20 (2.204) 1980 Los Angeles Dodgers NL  
Greg Maddux 2.20 (2.205) 1997 Atlanta Braves NL 498
Chief Bender 2.21 (2.206) 1913 Philadelphia Athletics AL 499
Tom Seaver 2.21 (2.206) 1969 New York Mets NL 500
Current Through 2023 Season
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baseball almanac fast facts

Walter Johnson appears more often on the top one-hundred (100) single season earned run averages than any other Major League pitcher, including six (6) times in the top fifty (50).

Did you know that number fourteen (14) on this single season earned run average chart, "Big" Ed Walsh, has the all time lowest career earned run average of any Major League pitcher in history?

A breakdown of every season since 1901 is online here at Baseball Almanac. Compare these magnificent seasons with the year-by-year leaders to find out who were the truly consistent ERA champions year after year after year...