On July 5, 1998, then on the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Roger Clemens strikes out Devil Ray's outfielder Randy Winn to record his
3,000th career strikeout.
The 'Rocket' is 11th pitcher in major league history
to reach the coveted milestone. Clemens would finish his career ranked second
in all-time strikeouts with 4,672, but would be passed by one man, a Bay Area
native, Livermore’s own Randy Johnson.
Since Clemens threw his 3,000th strikeout a few
more pitchers have joined the club.
Former Arizona Diamondback Giant Randy Johnson eclipsed 3,000
strikeouts in 2000. Johnson would finish with the second most strikeouts of all
time, totaling 4,875 for his career, almost 1,000 shy of the all time strikeout
leader, Nolan Ryan.
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux notched the feat in
2005. Curt Schilling a long time Phillies pitcher joined the elusive club in
2006. Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez reached his 3,000th strikeout in 2006 and former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz was the last
player to reach the 3,000 strikeout club in 2008.
The other players on the list of pitchers to reach 3,000
strikeouts in a career are, in order from highest strikeout total to least.
Nolan Ryan, 5,714, Steve Carlton, 4,136, Bert Blyleven, 3,701, Tom Seaver,
3,640, Don Sutton, 3,574, Gaylord Perry, 3,534, Walter Johnson, 3,509, Phil
Niekro, 3,342, Fergunson Jenkins, 3,192 and Bob Gibson 3,117.
Watch the video below of Clemens recording his 3,000th career strikeout:
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