Games Started Single Season Leaders by Baseball Almanac

Single Season Leaders for Games Started

It's impossible to lead at any statistic if you are not given the opportunity to pitch. The following pitchers have been given those chances and they have proven their effectiveness to their managers. A fair chance at winning is what each of these single season games started leaders give their team when they step on the rubber at the beginning of the game.

Baseball Almanac is pleased to present the top one-hundred (100) all-time single season leaders in Major League games started Note: A bold faced entry denotes that the player was active during the previous Major League season.

"Salaries must come down or the interest of the public must be increased in some way." - Hall of Fame Pitcher Al Spalding (#41 Ranked Single Season Games Started Leader)

Games Started Single Season Leaders 'Top 500'
Name	Games	Year	Team	League	Rank
Pud Galvin	75	1883	Buffalo Bisons	NL	1
Will White	75	1879	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Jim McCormick	74	1880	Cleveland Blues	NL	3
Guy Hecker	73	1884	Louisville Colonels	AA	4
Old Hoss Radbourn	73	1884	Providence Grays	NL
John Clarkson	72	1889	Boston Beaneaters	NL	6
Pud Galvin	72	1884	Buffalo Bisons	NL
John Clarkson	70	1885	Chicago White Stockings	NL	8
Bill Hutchison	70	1892	Chicago Colts	NL
Matt Kilroy	69	1887	Baltimore Orioles	AA	10
Jim Devlin	68	1876	Louisville Grays	NL	11
Tim Keefe	68	1883	New York Metropolitans	AA
Matt Kilroy	68	1886	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Old Hoss Radbourn	68	1883	Providence Grays	NL
Charlie Buffinton	67	1884	Boston Beaneaters	NL	15
Jim McCormick	67	1882	Cleveland Blues	NL
Toad Ramsey	67	1886	Louisville Colonels	AA
John Ward	67	1880	Providence Grays	NL
Pud Galvin	66	1879	Buffalo Bisons	NL	19
Bill Hutchison	66	1890	Chicago Colts	NL
Lee Richmond	66	1880	Worcester Ruby Legs	NL
Dupee Shaw	66	1884	Boston Unions	UA
Dupee Shaw	66	1884	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Silver King	65	1888	St. Louis Browns	AA	23
Jim McCormick	65	1884	Cleveland Blues	NL
Jim McCormick	65	1884	Cincinnati Outlaw Reds	UA
Tony Mullane	65	1884	Toledo Blue Stockings	AA
Mickey Welch	65	1884	New York Gothams	NL
Tommy Bond	64	1879	Boston Red Stockings	NL	27
George Bradley	64	1876	St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL
Tim Keefe	64	1886	New York Giants	NL
Toad Ramsey	64	1887	Louisville Colonels	AA
Mickey Welch	64	1880	Troy Trojans	NL
Will White	64	1883	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Ed Morris	63	1885	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	AA	33
Ed Morris	63	1886	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	AA
Amos Rusie	63	1890	New York Giants	NL
Jim Whitney	63	1881	Boston Red Stockings	NL
Will White	62	1880	Cincinnati Reds	NL	37
Jersey Bakley	61	1888	Cleveland Blues	AA	38
John Coleman	61	1883	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jim Devlin	61	1877	Louisville Grays	NL
Hardie Henderson	61	1885	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Amos Rusie	61	1892	New York Giants	NL
Larry Corcoran	60	1880	Chicago White Stockings	NL	43
Jim McCormick	60	1879	Cleveland Blues	NL
Larry McKeon	60	1884	Indianapolis Blues	AA
Al Spalding	60	1876	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Bill Sweeney	60	1884	Baltimore Monumentals	UA
John Ward	60	1879	Providence Grays	NL
Mark Baldwin	59	1889	Columbus Colts	AA	49
Tommy Bond	59	1878	Boston Red Stockings	NL
John Clarkson	59	1887	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Larry Corcoran	59	1884	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Frank Mountain	59	1883	Columbus Colts	AA
Billy Taylor	59	1884	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Billy Taylor	59	1884	St. Louis Maroons	UA
Mickey Welch	59	1886	New York Giants	NL
Tommy Bond	58	1877	Boston Red Stockings	NL	56
Hugh Daily	58	1884	Chicago/Pittsburgh Browns/Stogies	UA
Hugh Daily	58	1884	Washington Nationals	UA
Bill Hutchison	58	1891	Chicago Colts	NL
Tim Keefe	58	1884	New York Metropolitans	AA
Terry Larkin	58	1879	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Jim McCormick	58	1881	Cleveland Blues	NL
Sadie McMahon	58	1891	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Old Hoss Radbourn	58	1886	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Mark Baldwin	57	1890	Chicago Pirates	PL	64
Tommy Bond	57	1880	Boston Red Stockings	NL
Dave Foutz	57	1886	St. Louis Browns	AA
Sadie McMahon	57	1890	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Sadie McMahon	57	1890	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Amos Rusie	57	1891	New York Giants	NL
Ed Seward	57	1888	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Lady Baldwin	56	1886	Detroit Wolverines	NL	70
Tim Keefe	56	1887	New York Giants	NL
Matt Kilroy	56	1889	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Silver King	56	1890	Chicago Pirates	PL
Terry Larkin	56	1877	Hartford Dark Blues	NL
Terry Larkin	56	1878	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Bobby Mathews	56	1876	New York Mutuals	NL
Tony Mullane	56	1886	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Jack Stivetts	56	1891	St. Louis Browns	AA
Charlie Sweeney	56	1884	Providence Grays	NL
Charlie Sweeney	56	1884	St. Louis Maroons	UA
Jim Whitney	56	1883	Boston Beaneaters	NL
John Clarkson	55	1886	Chicago White Stockings	NL	81
George Derby	55	1881	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Kid Gleason	55	1890	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Ed Morris	55	1888	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	NL
Tony Mullane	55	1882	Louisville Eclipse	AA
Phenomenal Smith	55	1887	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Adonis Terry	55	1884	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
Mickey Welch	55	1885	New York Giants	NL
Gus Weyhing	55	1887	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Bob Barr	54	1890	Rochester Rochesters	AA	90
Ed Beatin	54	1890	Cleveland Spiders	NL
George Bradley	54	1879	Troy Trojans	NL
John Clarkson	54	1888	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Pud Galvin	54	1880	Buffalo Bisons	NL
Jack Lynch	54	1884	New York Metropolitans	AA
Harry McCormick	54	1879	Syracuse Stars	NL
Henry Porter	54	1885	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
Henry Porter	54	1888	Kansas City Blues	AA
Will White	54	1882	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Mark Baldwin	53	1892	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	100
Kid Carsey	53	1891	Washington Senators	AA
Bob Caruthers	53	1885	St. Louis Browns	AA
Larry Corcoran	53	1883	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Pud Galvin	53	1881	Buffalo Bisons	NL
Guy Hecker	53	1885	Louisville Colonels	AA
Silver King	53	1889	St. Louis Browns	AA
Gus Weyhing	53	1889	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Hardie Henderson	52	1884	Baltimore Orioles	AA	108
Frank Killen	52	1892	Washington Senators	NL
Phil Knell	52	1891	Columbus Colts	AA
Al Mays	52	1887	New York Metropolitans	AA
Ed Morris	52	1884	Columbus Colts	AA
Old Hoss Radbourn	52	1882	Providence Grays	NL
Lee Richmond	52	1881	Worcester Ruby Legs	NL
Amos Rusie	52	1893	New York Giants	NL
Ed Seward	52	1887	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Elmer Smith	52	1887	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Mickey Welch	52	1883	New York Gothams	NL
Will White	52	1884	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Will White	52	1878	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Elton Chamberlain	51	1889	St. Louis Browns	AA	121
Jack Chesbro	51	1904	New York Highlanders	AL
John Clarkson	51	1891	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Bert Cunningham	51	1888	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Pud Galvin	51	1882	Buffalo Bisons	NL
Tim Keefe	51	1888	New York Giants	NL
Kid Nichols	51	1892	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Fleury Sullivan	51	1884	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	AA
Gus Weyhing	51	1891	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Stump Wiedman	51	1886	Kansas City Cowboys	NL
Mark Baldwin	50	1891	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL	131
Ted Breitenstein	50	1894	St. Louis Browns	NL
Ted Breitenstein	50	1895	St. Louis Browns	NL
Charlie Buffinton	50	1885	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Bob Caruthers	50	1889	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	AA
Ed Daily	50	1885	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Bob Emslie	50	1884	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Pud Galvin	50	1888	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	NL
Pud Galvin	50	1886	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	AA
Pink Hawley	50	1895	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Guy Hecker	50	1883	Louisville Eclipse	AA
Frank Killen	50	1896	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Jack Lynch	50	1886	New York Metropolitans	AA
Old Hoss Radbourn	50	1887	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Amos Rusie	50	1894	New York Giants	NL
Jim Whitney	50	1885	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Elton Chamberlain	49	1892	Cincinnati Reds	NL	147
Bobby Mathews	49	1884	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Tony Mullane	49	1883	St. Louis Browns	AA
Old Hoss Radbourn	49	1885	Providence Grays	NL
Dupee Shaw	49	1885	Providence Grays	NL
Scott Stratton	49	1890	Louisville Colonels	AA
Ed Walsh	49	1908	Chicago White Sox	AL
Gus Weyhing	49	1892	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Wilbur Wood	49	1972	Chicago White Sox	AL
Cy Young	49	1892	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Bob Barr	48	1884	Indianapolis Blues	AA	157
Bob Barr	48	1884	Washington Nationals	AA	157
Jesse Duryea	48	1889	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Frank Foreman	48	1889	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Pud Galvin	48	1887	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	NL
Guy Hecker	48	1886	Louisville Colonels	AA
Frank Killen	48	1893	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Bobby Mathews	48	1885	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Joe McGinnity	48	1903	New York Giants	NL
Jouett Meekin	48	1894	New York Giants	NL
Tony Mullane	48	1887	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Kid Nichols	48	1891	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Henry Porter	48	1886	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
Jack Stivetts	48	1892	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Sam Weaver	48	1883	Louisville Eclipse	AA
Jim Whitney	48	1882	Boston Red Stockings	NL
Wilbur Wood	48	1973	Chicago White Sox	AL
George Cobb	47	1892	Baltimore Orioles	NL	173
Charlie Ferguson	47	1884	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
George Haddock	47	1891	Boston Red Stockings	AA
Silver King	47	1892	New York Giants	NL
Tony Mullane	47	1891	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Kid Nichols	47	1890	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Amos Rusie	47	1895	New York Giants	NL
Harry Staley	47	1889	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	NL
Park Swartzel	47	1889	Kansas City Blues	AA
Jack Taylor	47	1898	St. Louis Browns	NL
Mickey Welch	47	1888	New York Giants	NL
Gus Weyhing	47	1888	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Jim Whitney	47	1887	Washington Senators	NL
Stump Wiedman	47	1883	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Cy Young	47	1894	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Al Atkinson	46	1884	Baltimore Monumentals	UA	188
			Chicago/Pittsburgh Browns/Stogies	UA
			Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Charlie Buffinton	46	1888	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Elton Chamberlain	46	1891	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Dave Davenport	46	1915	St. Louis Terriers	FL
Dave Foutz	46	1885	St. Louis Browns	AA
Charlie Getzien	46	1888	Detroit Wolverines	NL
John Healy	46	1890	Toledo Maumees	AA
Tim Keefe	46	1885	New York Giants	NL
Christy Mathewson	46	1904	New York Giants	NL
Sadie McMahon	46	1892	Baltimore Orioles	NL
Kid Nichols	46	1894	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Hank O'Day	46	1888	Washington Senators	NL
Lee Richmond	46	1882	Worcester Ruby Legs	NL
Harry Staley	46	1890	Pittsburgh Burghers	PL
Jack Stivetts	46	1890	St. Louis Browns	AA
Tom Vickery	46	1890	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Rube Waddell	46	1904	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Ed Walsh	46	1907	Chicago White Sox	AL
Gus Weyhing	46	1890	Brooklyn Wonders	PL
Vic Willis	46	1902	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Cy Young	46	1896	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Cy Young	46	1893	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Cy Young	46	1891	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Grover Alexander	45	1916	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	211
Al Atkinson	45	1886	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Jersey Bakley	45	1884	Kansas City Unions	UA
			Philadelphia Keystones	UA
			Wilmington Quicksteps	UA
Tommy Bond	45	1876	Hartford Dark Blues	NL
Henry Boyle	45	1889	Indianapolis Hoosiers	NL
Dan Casey	45	1887	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Pete Conway	45	1888	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Billy Crowell	45	1887	Cleveland Blues	AA
Charlie Ferguson	45	1885	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Charlie Ferguson	45	1886	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Hank Gastright	45	1890	Columbus Colts	AA
Kid Gleason	45	1892	St. Louis Browns	NL
Kid Gleason	45	1893	St. Louis Browns	NL
Fred Goldsmith	45	1883	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Fred Goldsmith	45	1882	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Ad Gumbert	45	1892	Chicago Colts	NL
John Harkins	45	1884	Cleveland Blues	NL
Tim Keefe	45	1889	New York Giants	NL
Tim Keefe	45	1881	Troy Trojans	NL
Mickey Lolich	45	1971	Detroit Tigers	AL
Jumbo McGinnis	45	1882	St. Louis Brown Stockings	AA
Jumbo McGinnis	45	1883	St. Louis Browns	AA
Win Mercer	45	1896	Washington Senators	NL
Jack Powell	45	1904	New York Highlanders	AL
Billy Rhines	45	1890	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Stump Wiedman	45	1882	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Grover Alexander	44	1917	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	237
George Bradley	44	1877	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Dan Casey	44	1886	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
John Clarkson	44	1892	Boston Beaneaters	NL
John Clarkson	44	1892	Cleveland Spiders	NL
John Clarkson	44	1890	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Larry Corcoran	44	1881	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Ed Crane	44	1891	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Ed Crane	44	1891	Cincinnati Porkers	AA
Charlie Getzien	44	1889	Indianapolis Hoosiers	NL
Kid Gleason	44	1891	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Henry Gruber	44	1890	Cleveland Infants	PL
George Haddock	44	1892	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Brickyard Kennedy	44	1893	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Silver King	44	1887	St. Louis Browns	AA
Silver King	44	1891	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Bobby Mathews	44	1883	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Christy Mathewson	44	1908	New York Giants	NL
Joe McGinnity	44	1904	New York Giants	NL
George Mullin	44	1904	Detroit Tigers	AL
Kid Nichols	44	1893	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Phil Niekro	44	1979	Atlanta Braves	NL
Dupee Shaw	44	1886	Washington Senators	NL
Adonis Terry	44	1890	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
George Uhle	44	1923	Cleveland Indians	AL
Jim Whitney	44	1886	Kansas City Cowboys	NL
Ted Breitenstein	43	1896	St. Louis Browns	NL	261
Charlie Buffinton	43	1889	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Charlie Buffinton	43	1891	Boston Red Stockings	AA
Bill Carrick	43	1899	New York Giants	NL
Bob Caruthers	43	1888	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
Bob Caruthers	43	1886	St. Louis Browns	AA
Ed Crane	43	1892	New York Giants	NL
Hugh Daily	43	1883	Cleveland Blues	NL
Cy Falkenberg	43	1914	Indianapolis Hoosiers	FL
Pud Galvin	43	1885	Buffalo Bisons	NL
Pud Galvin	43	1885	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	AA
Charlie Getzien	43	1886	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Pink Hawley	43	1896	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Hardie Henderson	43	1883	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Hardie Henderson	43	1883	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Tom Lovett	43	1891	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Jack Lynch	43	1885	New York Metropolitans	AA
Joe McGinnity	43	1901	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Kid Nichols	43	1896	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Phil Niekro	43	1977	Atlanta Braves	NL
Eddie Plank	43	1904	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Jack Powell	43	1899	St. Louis Perfectos	NL
Billy Rhines	43	1891	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Dick Rudolph	43	1915	Boston Braves	NL
Cy Seymour	43	1898	New York Giants	NL
Dummy Taylor	43	1901	New York Giants	NL
Sam Weaver	43	1878	Milwaukee Grays	NL
Vic Willis	43	1904	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Wilbur Wood	43	1975	Chicago White Sox	AL
Cy Young	43	1902	Boston Americans	AL
Grover Alexander	42	1915	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	289
Stan Bahnsen	42	1973	Chicago White Sox	AL
Ted Breitenstein	42	1893	St. Louis Browns	NL
Dan Casey	42	1890	Syracuse Stars	AA
Jack Chesbro	42	1906	New York Highlanders	AL
Bert Cunningham	42	1898	Louisville Colonels	NL
Nig Cuppy	42	1892	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Bill Dinneen	42	1902	Boston Americans	AL
Red Donahue	42	1897	St. Louis Browns	NL
Don Drysdale	42	1965	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Don Drysdale	42	1963	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Bob Feller	42	1946	Cleveland Indians	AL
Bob Friend	42	1956	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Charlie Getzien	42	1887	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Noodles Hahn	42	1901	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Fergie Jenkins	42	1969	Chicago Cubs	NL
Walter Johnson	42	1910	Washington Senators	AL
Jim Kaat	42	1965	Minnesota Twins	AL
Tim Keefe	42	1882	Troy Trojans	NL
Mickey Lolich	42	1973	Detroit Tigers	AL
Christy Mathewson	42	1903	New York Giants	NL
Jim McCormick	42	1886	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Doc McJames	42	1898	Baltimore Orioles	NL
George McQuillan	42	1908	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Win Mercer	42	1897	Washington Senators	NL
Tony Mullane	42	1888	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
George Mullin	42	1907	Detroit Tigers	AL
Kid Nichols	42	1898	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Kid Nichols	42	1895	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Phil Niekro	42	1978	Atlanta Braves	NL
Jack Quinn	42	1914	Baltimore Terrapins	FL
Jack Sanford	42	1963	San Francisco Giants	NL
Pete Schneider	42	1917	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Ed Stein	42	1892	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Fred Toney	42	1917	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Lee Viau	42	1888	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Lee Viau	42	1889	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Gus Weyhing	42	1898	Washington Senators	NL
Wilbur Wood	42	1974	Chicago White Sox	AL
Wilbur Wood	42	1971	Chicago White Sox	AL
Cy Young	42	1899	St. Louis Perfectos	NL
Irv Young	42	1905	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Stan Bahnsen	41	1972	Chicago White Sox	AL	331
Jim Bibby	41	1974	Texas Rangers	AL
Charlie Buffinton	41	1883	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Jim Bunning	41	1966	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Steve Carlton	41	1972	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Bill Carrick	41	1900	New York Giants	NL
Joe Coleman	41	1974	Detroit Tigers	AL
Don Drysdale	41	1962	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Frank Dwyer	41	1891	Cincinnati Porkers	AA
Frank Dwyer	41	1891	Milwaukee Brewers	AA
Frank Foreman	41	1891	Washington Senators	AA
Clark Griffith	41	1895	Chicago Colts	NL
Bill Hands	41	1969	Chicago Cubs	NL
Bob Harmon	41	1911	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Bill Hart	41	1896	St. Louis Browns	NL
Pink Hawley	41	1894	St. Louis Browns	NL
John Healy	41	1887	Indianapolis Hoosiers	NL
John Healy	41	1886	St. Louis Maroons	NL
Catfish Hunter	41	1974	Oakland Athletics	AL
Fergie Jenkins	41	1974	Texas Rangers	AL
Oscar Jones	41	1904	Brooklyn Superbas	NL
Jim Kaat	41	1966	Minnesota Twins	AL
Jim Kaat	41	1975	Chicago White Sox	AL
John Keefe	41	1890	Syracuse Stars	AA
Brickyard Kennedy	41	1894	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Frank Killen	41	1897	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Sam Kimber	41	1884	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
John Kirby	41	1886	St. Louis Maroons	NL
Sandy Koufax	41	1966	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Sandy Koufax	41	1965	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Doc Landis	41	1882	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Doc Landis	41	1882	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Mickey Lolich	41	1974	Detroit Tigers	AL
Mickey Lolich	41	1972	Detroit Tigers	AL
Tom Lovett	41	1890	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Al Mays	41	1886	New York Metropolitans	AA
Jim McCormick	41	1883	Cleveland Blues	NL
Joe McGinnity	41	1899	Baltimore Orioles	NL
Denny McLain	41	1968	Detroit Tigers	AL
Denny McLain	41	1969	Detroit Tigers	AL
Jouett Meekin	41	1896	New York Giants	NL
Frank Mountain	41	1884	Columbus Colts	AA
George Mullin	41	1905	Detroit Tigers	AL
Darby O'Brien	41	1889	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Claude Osteen	41	1969	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Gaylord Perry	41	1970	San Francisco Giants	NL
Gaylord Perry	41	1973	Cleveland Indians	AL
Eddie Plank	41	1905	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Jack Powell	41	1898	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Robin Roberts	41	1953	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Babe Ruth	41	1916	Boston Red Sox	AL
Nolan Ryan	41	1974	California Angels	AL
Bill Stemmyer	41	1886	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Don Sutton	41	1969	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Jack Taylor	41	1896	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Bill Voiselle	41	1944	New York Giants	NL
Ed Walsh	41	1912	Chicago White Sox	AL
Sam Weaver	41	1882	Philadelphia Athletics	AA
Mickey Welch	41	1889	New York Giants	NL
Vic Willis	41	1905	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Bill Wise	41	1884	Washington Nationals	UA
Cy Young	41	1904	Boston Americans	AL
Cy Young	41	1901	Boston Americans	AL
Cy Young	41	1898	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Irv Young	41	1906	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Grover Alexander	40	1920	Chicago Cubs	NL	394
Mark Baldwin	40	1893	New York Giants	NL
Mark Baldwin	40	1893	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Jack Billingham	40	1973	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Vida Blue	40	1974	Oakland Athletics	AL
Bert Blyleven	40	1973	Minnesota Twins	AL
Tom Bradley	40	1972	Chicago White Sox	AL
Jim Bunning	40	1967	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Dick Burns	40	1884	Cincinnati Outlaw Reds	UA
Steve Carlton	40	1973	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Kid Carsey	40	1895	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
George Caster	40	1938	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Larry Cheney	40	1914	Chicago Cubs	NL
Jim Clancy	40	1982	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Dad Clarke	40	1896	New York Giants	NL
Joe Coleman	40	1973	Detroit Tigers	AL
Jack Coombs	40	1911	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Stan Coveleski	40	1921	Cleveland Indians	AL
Mike Cuellar	40	1970	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Nig Cuppy	40	1896	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Nig Cuppy	40	1895	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Chuck Dobson	40	1970	Oakland Athletics	AL
Denny Driscoll	40	1883	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	AA
Don Drysdale	40	1966	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Don Drysdale	40	1964	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Frank Dwyer	40	1894	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Bob Feller	40	1941	Cleveland Indians	AL
Mike Flanagan	40	1978	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Pud Galvin	40	1889	Pittsburgh Alleghenys	NL
Charlie Getzien	40	1890	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Bob Groom	40	1912	Washington Senators	AL
Henry Gruber	40	1891	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Ken Holtzman	40	1973	Oakland Athletics	AL
Charlie Hough	40	1987	Texas Rangers	AL
Mickey Hughes	40	1888	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
Catfish Hunter	40	1970	Oakland Athletics	AL
Bill Hutchison	40	1893	Chicago Colts	NL
Fergie Jenkins	40	1968	Chicago Cubs	NL
Walter Johnson	40	1914	Washington Senators	AL
Randy Jones	40	1976	San Diego Padres	NL
Brickyard Kennedy	40	1897	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Matt Kilroy	40	1888	Baltimore Orioles	AA
Sandy Koufax	40	1963	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Dennis Leonard	40	1978	Kansas City Royals	AL
Juan Marichal	40	1963	San Francisco Giants	NL
Jumbo McGinnis	40	1884	St. Louis Browns	AA
Sadie McMahon	40	1893	Baltimore Orioles	NL
Dave McNally	40	1970	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Dave McNally	40	1969	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Andy Messersmith	40	1975	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Mike Morrison	40	1887	Cleveland Blues	AA
George Mullin	40	1906	Detroit Tigers	AL
Bobo Newsom	40	1938	St. Louis Browns	AL
Kid Nichols	40	1897	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Hank O'Day	40	1884	Toledo Blue Stockings	AA
Claude Osteen	40	1965	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Jim Palmer	40	1976	Baltimore Orioles	AL
George Pechiney	40	1886	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Gaylord Perry	40	1972	Cleveland Indians	AL
Jim Perry	40	1970	Minnesota Twins	AL
Togie Pittinger	40	1902	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Eddie Plank	40	1903	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Eddie Plank	40	1907	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Johnny Podres	40	1962	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Henry Porter	40	1887	Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers	AA
Toad Ramsey	40	1888	Louisville Colonels	AA
Toad Ramsey	40	1890	St. Louis Browns	AA
Jerry Reuss	40	1973	Houston Astros	NL
Steve Rogers	40	1977	Montreal Expos	NL
Ben Sanders	40	1890	Philadelphia Quakers	PL
Chris Short	40	1965	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Bill Singer	40	1973	California Angels	AL
Bill Singer	40	1969	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Elmer Smith	40	1888	Cincinnati Red Stockings	AA
Frank Smith	40	1909	Chicago White Sox	AL
Ed Stein	40	1894	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Scott Stratton	40	1892	Louisville Colonels	NL
Don Sutton	40	1974	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Jeff Tesreau	40	1914	New York Giants	NL
Dick Tidrow	40	1973	Cleveland Indians	AL
Dizzy Trout	40	1944	Detroit Tigers	AL
George Uhle	40	1922	Cleveland Indians	AL
Mickey Welch	40	1881	Troy Trojans	NL
Mickey Welch	40	1887	New York Giants	NL
Gus Weyhing	40	1893	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Lefty Williams	40	1919	Chicago White Sox	AL
Cy Young	40	1895	Cleveland Spiders	NL
Grover Alexander	39	1914	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	480
Mark Baldwin	39	1887	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Rube Benton	39	1912	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Vern Bickford	39	1950	Boston Braves	NL
Vida Blue	39	1971	Oakland Athletics	AL
Henry Boyle	39	1885	St. Louis Maroons	NL
Tom Bradley	39	1971	Chicago White Sox	AL
Ted Breitenstein	39	1897	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Tom Browning	39	1986	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Ron Bryant	39	1973	San Francisco Giants	NL
Jim Bunning	39	1965	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jim Bunning	39	1964	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Lew Burdette	39	1959	Milwaukee Braves	NL
Ray Burris	39	1977	Chicago Cubs	NL
Steve Carlton	39	1974	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Bob Caruthers	39	1887	St. Louis Browns	AA
Dean Chance	39	1968	Minnesota Twins	AL
Dean Chance	39	1967	Minnesota Twins	AL
Joe Coleman	39	1972	Detroit Tigers	AL
Larry Corcoran	39	1882	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Harry Coveleski	39	1916	Detroit Tigers	AL	500
Alvin Crowder	39	1932	Washington Senators	AL
Mike Cuellar	39	1969	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Hooks Dauss	39	1923	Detroit Tigers	AL
Dave Davenport	39	1917	St. Louis Browns	AL
George Derby	39	1882	Detroit Wolverines	NL
Pat Dobson	39	1974	New York Yankees	AL
George Earnshaw	39	1930	Philadelphia Athletics	AL
Howard Ehmke	39	1923	Boston Red Sox	AL
Sammy Ellis	39	1965	Cincinnati Reds	NL
John Ewing	39	1889	Louisville Colonels	AA
Red Faber	39	1921	Chicago White Sox	AL
Red Faber	39	1920	Chicago White Sox	AL
Whitey Ford	39	1961	New York Yankees	AL
Fred Goldsmith	39	1881	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Dave Goltz	39	1977	Minnesota Twins	AL
Mudcat Grant	39	1965	Minnesota Twins	AL
Ross Grimsley	39	1974	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Pink Hawley	39	1897	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Kirby Higbe	39	1941	Brooklyn Dodgers	NL
Bill Hill	39	1896	Louisville Colonels	NL
Ken Holtzman	39	1969	Chicago Cubs	NL
Catfish Hunter	39	1975	New York Yankees	AL
Larry Jackson	39	1965	Chicago Cubs	NL
Fergie Jenkins	39	1971	Chicago Cubs	NL
Fergie Jenkins	39	1970	Chicago Cubs	NL
Walter Johnson	39	1915	Washington Senators	AL
Randy Jones	39	1979	San Diego Padres	NL
Jim Kaat	39	1974	Chicago White Sox	AL
Brickyard Kennedy	39	1898	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	NL
Frank Killen	39	1898	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Frank Killen	39	1898	Washington Senators	NL
Ron Kline	39	1956	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Gus Krock	39	1888	Chicago White Stockings	NL
Sam Leever	39	1899	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Mickey Lolich	39	1970	Detroit Tigers	AL
Jim Lonborg	39	1974	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jim Lonborg	39	1967	Boston Red Sox	AL
Art Mahaffey	39	1962	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Rick Mahler	39	1986	Atlanta Braves	NL
Rick Mahler	39	1985	Atlanta Braves	NL
Dennis Martinez	39	1979	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Dennis Martinez	39	1982	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Erskine Mayer	39	1914	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Sam McDowell	39	1970	Cleveland Indians	AL
Willie McGill	39	1891	Cincinnati Porkers	AA
Willie McGill	39	1891	St. Louis Browns	AA
Joe McGinnity	39	1902	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Joe McGinnity	39	1902	New York Giants	NL
Stoney McGlynn	39	1907	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Doc McJames	39	1897	Washington Senators	NL
Andy Messersmith	39	1974	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Carl Morton	39	1975	Atlanta Braves	NL
Tony Mullane	39	1893	Baltimore Orioles	NL
Tony Mullane	39	1893	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Tricky Nichols	39	1877	St. Louis Brown Stockings	NL
Phil Niekro	39	1974	Atlanta Braves	NL
Billy O'Dell	39	1962	San Francisco Giants	NL
Al Orth	39	1906	New York Highlanders	AL
Claude Osteen	39	1967	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Orval Overall	39	1905	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Jim Palmer	39	1970	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Jim Palmer	39	1977	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Case Patten	39	1904	Washington Senators	AL
Gaylord Perry	39	1969	San Francisco Giants	NL
Jim Perry	39	1971	Minnesota Twins	AL
Togie Pittinger	39	1903	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Jack Powell	39	1902	St. Louis Browns	AL
J.R. Richard	39	1976	Houston Astros	NL
Robin Roberts	39	1951	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Robin Roberts	39	1950	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Nap Rucker	39	1910	Brooklyn Superbas	NL
Nolan Ryan	39	1976	California Angels	AL
Nolan Ryan	39	1973	California Angels	AL
Nolan Ryan	39	1972	California Angels	AL
Johnny Sain	39	1948	Boston Braves	NL
Ben Sanders	39	1889	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Chris Short	39	1966	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Warren Spahn	39	1950	Boston Braves	NL
Jack Stivetts	39	1894	Boston Beaneaters	NL
Bill Stoneman	39	1971	Montreal Expos	NL
Mel Stottlemyre	39	1969	New York Yankees	AL
Jack Taylor	39	1899	Chicago Orphans	NL
Jack Taylor	39	1904	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Adonis Terry	39	1889	Brooklyn Bridegrooms	AA
Ralph Terry	39	1962	New York Yankees	AL
Mike Torrez	39	1976	Oakland Athletics	AL
Jake Weimer	39	1906	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Jim Whitney	39	1888	Washington Senators	NL
Clyde Wright	39	1970	California Angels	AL
Name	Games	Year	Team	League	Rank
Current Through 2013 Season

Take a close look at the chart — not a single player from the twentieth century appears in the top one-hundred (100) list. Why? Because the "average" starting modern pitcher only starts approximately thirty-two (32) games during a full season of play.

Trivia alert: Cy Young, who is the all time career games started leader with eight-hundred fifteen (815) Major League starts, does not appear in the top one-hundred single season leaders.

Baseball Almanac believes that this record is a perfect example of an unbeatable mark. Do you agree? Disagree? Take a moment, share your opinion, and tell us your thoughts on other unbeatable records on Baseball Fever.

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