Top 25 MLB pitching seasons of all time

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ANAHEIM – JULY 11: Nolan Ryan #34 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 11, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

20. Nolan Ryan, 1989

The Numbers: 16-10, 3.20 ERA, 301 strikeouts, 11.3 SO/9, 6.1 H/9

By the time Nolan Ryan was in his age-42 season, he had a better idea of where the ball was going when it left his hand. Although his velocity was down from triple digits into the 95-mph range, Ryan remained one of the best pitchers in the league. He is the oldest pitcher with a 300-strikeout season.

In his first season with Texas, Ryan announced with authority that he could still be a dominant pitcher deep into his forties. His second start of the season was a 15-strikeout effort against Milwaukee. Ryan also had a 14-strikeout performance in only six innings on July 25 against Toronto. The Hall of Famer also struck out 13 in four starts and topped double digits in 18 total starts on the year.

It has become increasingly rare to see pitchers sustain Hall of Fame level dominance into their forties. Ryan pitched in four decades in his 27-year career. Along the way, he struck out seven father-son duos. He pitched two no-hitters in his forties and holds the all-time record with seven.

Surprisingly, Ryan never won a Cy Young, finishing as high as second in 1973. Ryan pitched in relief for the Mets when they won the World Series in 1969, but never made it back. Ultimately, his win-loss total was hurt by pitching for so many mediocre teams over the course of his career. When it’s all said and done, Nolan Ryan very well could have the best pure arm talent in MLB history.

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