July 22, 1923
Walter Johnson the Washington Senators star pitcher becomes the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to strikeout 3,000 batters. Walter “The Big Train” Johnson was rolled right over the Cleveland Indians as the Senators beat the Indians 3–1. The victory was The Big Train’s ninth of the season and the Senators won the team’s third game in a row and improved their record to 37–49.
After the 1927 season Walter Johnson ended his career with 3,508 strikeouts, 705 more strikeouts than Cy Young who was second on the all time strikeout list at the time. Christy Mathewson ranked third at the time with 2,502 strikeouts.
Currently Walter Johnson’s 3,508 strikeouts ranks ninth all time.
