Yearly League Leaders & Records for Strikeouts

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Table
Year National League SO American League SO Other SO Other SO
2024Chris Sale* (ATL)225 Tarik Skubal* (DET)228
2023Spencer Strider (ATL)281 Kevin Gausman (TOR)237
2022Corbin Burnes (MIL)243 Gerrit Cole (NYY)257
2021Zack Wheeler (PHI)247 Robbie Ray* (TOR)248
2020Jacob deGrom (NYM)104 Shane Bieber (CLE)122
2019Jacob deGrom (NYM)255 Gerrit Cole (HOU)326
2018Max Scherzer (WSN)300 Justin Verlander (HOU)290
2017Max Scherzer (WSN)268 Chris Sale* (BOS)308
2016Max Scherzer (WSN)284 Justin Verlander (DET)254
2015Clayton Kershaw* (LAD)301 Chris Sale* (CHW)274
2014Johnny Cueto (CIN) • Stephen Strasburg (WSN)242 David Price* (2TM)271
2013Clayton Kershaw* (LAD)232 Yu Darvish (TEX)277
2012R.A. Dickey (NYM)230 Justin Verlander (DET)239
2011Clayton Kershaw* (LAD)248 Justin Verlander (DET)250
2010Tim Lincecum (SFG)231 Jered Weaver (LAA)233
2009Tim Lincecum (SFG)261 Justin Verlander (DET)269
2008Tim Lincecum (SFG)265 A.J. Burnett (TOR)231
2007Jake Peavy (SDP)240 Scott Kazmir* (TBD)239
2006Aaron Harang (CIN)216 Johan Santana* (MIN)245
2005Jake Peavy (SDP)216 Johan Santana* (MIN)238
2004Randy Johnson+* (ARI)290 Johan Santana* (MIN)265
2003Kerry Wood (CHC)266 Esteban Loaiza (CHW)207
2002Randy Johnson+* (ARI)334 Pedro Martinez+ (BOS)239
2001Randy Johnson+* (ARI)372 Hideo Nomo (BOS)220
2000Randy Johnson+* (ARI)347 Pedro Martinez+ (BOS)284
1999Randy Johnson+* (ARI)364 Pedro Martinez+ (BOS)313
1998Curt Schilling (PHI)300 Roger Clemens (TOR)271
1997Curt Schilling (PHI)319 Roger Clemens (TOR)292
1996John Smoltz+ (ATL)276 Roger Clemens (BOS)257
1995Hideo Nomo (LAD)236 Randy Johnson+* (SEA)294
1994Andy Benes (SDP)189 Randy Johnson+* (SEA)204
1993José Rijo (CIN)227 Randy Johnson+* (SEA)308
1992John Smoltz+ (ATL)215 Randy Johnson+* (SEA)241
1991David Cone (NYM)241 Roger Clemens (BOS)241
1990David Cone (NYM)233 Nolan Ryan+ (TEX)232
1989José DeLeón (STL)201 Nolan Ryan+ (TEX)301
1988Nolan Ryan+ (HOU)228 Roger Clemens (BOS)291
1987Nolan Ryan+ (HOU)270 Mark Langston* (SEA)262
1986Mike Scott (HOU)306 Mark Langston* (SEA)245
1985Dwight Gooden (NYM)268 Bert Blyleven+ (2TM)206
1984Dwight Gooden (NYM)276 Mark Langston* (SEA)204
1983Steve Carlton+* (PHI)275 Jack Morris+ (DET)232
1982Steve Carlton+* (PHI)286 Floyd Bannister* (SEA)209
1981Fernando Valenzuela* (LAD)180 Len Barker (CLE)127
1980Steve Carlton+* (PHI)286 Len Barker (CLE)187
1979J.R. Richard (HOU)313 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)223
1978J.R. Richard (HOU)303 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)260
1977Phil Niekro+ (ATL)262 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)341
1976Tom Seaver+ (NYM)235 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)327
1975Tom Seaver+ (NYM)243 Frank Tanana* (CAL)269
1974Steve Carlton+* (PHI)240 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)367
1973Tom Seaver+ (NYM)251 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)383
1972Steve Carlton+* (PHI)310 Nolan Ryan+ (CAL)329
1971Tom Seaver+ (NYM)289 Mickey Lolich* (DET)308
1970Tom Seaver+ (NYM)283 Sam McDowell* (CLE)304
1969Fergie Jenkins+ (CHC)273 Sam McDowell* (CLE)279
1968Bob Gibson+ (STL)268 Sam McDowell* (CLE)283
1967Jim Bunning+ (PHI)253 Jim Lonborg (BOS)246
1966Sandy Koufax+* (LAD)317 Sam McDowell* (CLE)225
1965Sandy Koufax+* (LAD)382 Sam McDowell* (CLE)325
1964Bob Veale* (PIT)250 Al Downing* (NYY)217
1963Sandy Koufax+* (LAD)306 Camilo Pascual (MIN)202
1962Don Drysdale+ (LAD)232 Camilo Pascual (MIN)206
1961Sandy Koufax+* (LAD)269 Camilo Pascual (MIN)221
1960Don Drysdale+ (LAD)246 Jim Bunning+ (DET)201
1959Don Drysdale+ (LAD)242 Jim Bunning+ (DET)201
1958Sam Jones (STL)225 Early Wynn+ (CHW)179
1957Jack Sanford (PHI)188 Early Wynn+ (CLE)184
1956Sam Jones (CHC)176 Herb Score* (CLE)263
1955Sam Jones (CHC)198 Herb Score* (CLE)245
1954Robin Roberts+ (PHI)185 Bob Turley (BAL)185
1953Robin Roberts+ (PHI)198 Billy Pierce* (CHW)186
1952Warren Spahn+* (BSN)183 Allie Reynolds (NYY)160
1951Don Newcombe (BRO) • Warren Spahn+* (BSN)164 Vic Raschi (NYY)164
1950Warren Spahn+* (BSN)191 Bob Lemon+ (CLE)170
1949Warren Spahn+* (BSN)151 Virgil Trucks (DET)153
1948Harry Brecheen* (STL)149 Bob Feller+ (CLE)164 NN2: Joe Black (BEG)85NAL: Jim LaMarque* (KCM)80
1947Ewell Blackwell (CIN)193 Bob Feller+ (CLE)196 NN2: Bob Romby* (BEG)99NAL: Jim LaMarque* (KCM)85
1946Johnny Schmitz* (CHC)135 Bob Feller+ (CLE)348 NN2: Leon Day+ (NE)109NAL: Connie Johnson (KCM)63
1945Preacher Roe* (PIT)148 Hal Newhouser+* (DET)212 NN2: Bill Byrd (BEG)91NAL: Booker McDaniel (KCM)117
1944Bill Voiselle (NYG)161 Hal Newhouser+* (DET)187 NN2: Bill Ricks (PS)103NAL: Satchel Paige+ (KCM)105
1943Johnny Vander Meer* (CIN)174 Allie Reynolds (CLE)151 NN2: Bill Byrd (2TM) • Johnny Wright (HG)94NAL: Satchel Paige+ (2TM)102
1942Johnny Vander Meer* (CIN)186 Tex Hughson (BOS) • Bobo Newsom (WSH)113 NN2: Leon Day+ (2TM)86NAL: Satchel Paige+ (KCM)56
1941Johnny Vander Meer* (CIN)202 Bob Feller+ (CLE)260 NN2: Dave Barnhill (NYC)109NAL: Hilton Smith+ (KCM)57
1940Kirby Higbe (PHI)137 Bob Feller+ (CLE)261 NN2: Henry McHenry (PS)86NAL: Preacher Henry (CBR)63
1939Claude Passeau (2TM) • Bucky Walters (CIN)137 Bob Feller+ (CLE)246 NN2: Neck Stanley* (NBY)44NAL: Hilton Smith+ (KCM)85
1938Clay Bryant (CHC)135 Bob Feller+ (CLE)240 NN2: Ray Brown+ (HG)70NAL: Hilton Smith+ (KCM)88
1937Carl Hubbell+* (NYG)159 Lefty Gomez+* (NYY)194 NN2: Ray Brown+ (HG)74NAL: Hilton Smith+ (2TM)99
1936Van Mungo (BRO)238 Tommy Bridges (DET)175 NN2: Satchel Paige+ (PC)72
1935Dizzy Dean+ (STL)190 Tommy Bridges (DET)163 NN2: Luis Tiant* (NYC)64
1934Dizzy Dean+ (STL)195 Lefty Gomez+* (NYY)158 NN2: Slim Jones* (PS)164
1933Dizzy Dean+ (STL)199 Lefty Gomez+* (NYY)163 NN2: Leroy Matlock* (PC)100
1932Dizzy Dean+ (STL)191 Red Ruffing+ (NYY)190 EWL: Bert Hunter (2TM)72NSL: Barney Morris (MRM)81
1931Bill Hallahan* (STL)159 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)175 NNL: Ray Brown+ (AB2)79
1930Bill Hallahan* (STL)177 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)209 NNL: Bill Foster+* (CAG)133
1929Pat Malone (CHC)166 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)170 NNL: Satchel Paige+ (BBB)189ANL: Laymon Yokely (BBS)97
1928Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)200 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)183 NNL: Satchel Paige+ (BBB)121ECL: Laymon Yokely (BBS)103
1927Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)184 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)174 NNL: Ted Trent (SLS)133ECL: Luther Farrell* (AC)138
1926Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)140 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)194 NNL: Logan Hensley (SLS)122ECL: Claude Grier* (AC)141
1925Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)221 Lefty Grove+* (PHA)116 NNL: Bullet Rogan+ (KCM)96ECL: Rats Henderson (AC)125
1924Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)262 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)158 NNL: Sam Streeter* (BBB)128ECL: Nip Winters* (HIL)114
1923Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)197 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)130 NNL: Bullet Rogan+ (KCM)151ECL: Rats Henderson (AC)100
1922Dazzy Vance+ (BRO)134 Urban Shocker (SLB)149 NNL: Bill Force (DS)120
1921Burleigh Grimes+ (BRO)136 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)143 NNL: Bill Holland (2TM)140
1920Grover Alexander+ (CHC)173 Stan Coveleski+ (CLE)133 NNL: Sam Crawford (KCM)106
1919Hippo Vaughn* (CHC)141 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)147
1918Hippo Vaughn* (CHC)148 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)162
1917Grover Alexander+ (PHI)200 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)188
1916Grover Alexander+ (PHI)167 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)228
1915Grover Alexander+ (PHI)241 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)203 FL: Dave Davenport (SLM)229
1914Grover Alexander+ (PHI)214 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)225 FL: Cy Falkenberg (IND)236
1913Tom Seaton (PHI)168 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)243
1912Grover Alexander+ (PHI)195 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)303
1911Rube Marquard+* (NYG)237 Ed Walsh+ (CHW)255
1910Earl Moore (PHI)185 Walter Johnson+ (WSH)313
1909Orval Overall (CHC)205 Frank Smith (CHW)177
1908Christy Mathewson+ (NYG)259 Ed Walsh+ (CHW)269
1907Christy Mathewson+ (NYG)178 Rube Waddell+* (PHA)232
1906Fred Beebe (2TM)171 Rube Waddell+* (PHA)196
1905Christy Mathewson+ (NYG)206 Rube Waddell+* (PHA)287
1904Christy Mathewson+ (NYG)212 Rube Waddell+* (PHA)349
1903Christy Mathewson+ (NYG)267 Rube Waddell+* (PHA)302
1902Vic Willis+ (BSN)225 Rube Waddell+* (PHA)210
1901Noodles Hahn* (CIN)239 Cy Young+ (BOS)158
1900Noodles Hahn* (CIN)132
1899Noodles Hahn* (CIN)145
1898Cy Seymour* (NYG)239
1897James McJames (WHS) • Cy Seymour* (NYG)156
1896Cy Young+ (CLV)140
1895Amos Rusie+ (NYG)201
1894Amos Rusie+ (NYG)195
1893Amos Rusie+ (NYG)208
1892Bill Hutchison (CHC)314
1891Amos Rusie+ (NYG)337 AA: Jack Stivetts (STL)259
1890Amos Rusie+ (NYG)341 AA: Sadie McMahon (2TM)291PL: Mark Baldwin (CHI)206
1889John Clarkson+ (BSN)284 AA: Mark Baldwin (COL)368
1888Tim Keefe+ (NYG)335 AA: Ed Seward (PHA)272
1887John Clarkson+ (CHC)237 AA: Toad Ramsey* (LOU)355
1886Lady Baldwin* (DTN)323 AA: Matt Kilroy* (BAL)513
1885John Clarkson+ (CHC)308 AA: Ed Morris* (PIT)298
1884Old Hoss Radbourn+ (PRO)441 AA: Guy Hecker (LOU)385UA: Hugh Daily (2TM)483
1883Jim Whitney (BSN)345 AA: Tim Keefe+ (NYP)359
1882Old Hoss Radbourn+ (PRO)201 AA: Tony Mullane (LOU)170
1881George Derby (DTN)212
1880Larry Corcoran (CHC)268
1879John Ward+ (PRO)239
1878Tommy Bond (BSN)182
1877Tommy Bond (BSN)170
1876Jim Devlin (LOU)122
1875 NA: Candy Cummings+ (HAR)82
1874 NA: Bobby Mathews (NYU)101
1873 NA: Bobby Mathews (NYU)79
1872 NA: Bobby Mathews (BAL)57
1871 NA: Al Pratt (CLE)34