This article needs additional citations for
verification. (July 2015) |
Since 1998, there have been 30 teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). It is very rare for a pitcher to record a win against every team. In earlier times, two factors made it nearly impossible to defeat all teams in both leagues (even before expansion increased the number to 30):
In any case, defeating all teams is more likely only if a pitcher has a long career. In 2023, the MLB switched to a more balanced schedule, and for the first time in MLB history, every team played every other team in each league at least three times. MLB teams now play 1 three-game series against 14 of the other league's teams, with the home team switching every year, and 2 two-game series (one series at home, one away) against the team in the other league deemed their "geographic rival." They also play more games against non-division teams in their league, and as a result, play less intra-divisional games. [1]
Because of the schedule changes, it is easier now than ever before for MLB pitchers to win a game against every team in the league. That being said, it is still an extremely difficult feat due to five different pitchers being in a starting rotation on any given team, the longevity and high winning percentage needed by a pitcher to be able to win games consistently, and other unforeseen and random barriers that very from player to player.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], there have been 23 pitchers who have beaten all 30 teams. Only 16 teams have had a pitcher accomplish the feat while on their roster, with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees the only franchises to have three such pitchers: Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, and Tim Hudson for the Giants, and Kevin Brown, Javier Vázquez, and Gerrit Cole for the Yankees. Johnson is so far the only member to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
* | Denotes elected to
National Baseball Hall of Fame |
---|---|
Bold | Denotes active player
[a] |
As of July 30, 2024 [update], four active pitchers have defeated 29 teams.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], three active pitchers have defeated 28 teams.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], eight active pitchers have defeated 27 teams.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], ten active pitchers have defeated 26 teams.
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (July 2015) |
Since 1998, there have been 30 teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). It is very rare for a pitcher to record a win against every team. In earlier times, two factors made it nearly impossible to defeat all teams in both leagues (even before expansion increased the number to 30):
In any case, defeating all teams is more likely only if a pitcher has a long career. In 2023, the MLB switched to a more balanced schedule, and for the first time in MLB history, every team played every other team in each league at least three times. MLB teams now play 1 three-game series against 14 of the other league's teams, with the home team switching every year, and 2 two-game series (one series at home, one away) against the team in the other league deemed their "geographic rival." They also play more games against non-division teams in their league, and as a result, play less intra-divisional games. [1]
Because of the schedule changes, it is easier now than ever before for MLB pitchers to win a game against every team in the league. That being said, it is still an extremely difficult feat due to five different pitchers being in a starting rotation on any given team, the longevity and high winning percentage needed by a pitcher to be able to win games consistently, and other unforeseen and random barriers that very from player to player.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], there have been 23 pitchers who have beaten all 30 teams. Only 16 teams have had a pitcher accomplish the feat while on their roster, with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees the only franchises to have three such pitchers: Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, and Tim Hudson for the Giants, and Kevin Brown, Javier Vázquez, and Gerrit Cole for the Yankees. Johnson is so far the only member to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
* | Denotes elected to
National Baseball Hall of Fame |
---|---|
Bold | Denotes active player
[a] |
As of July 30, 2024 [update], four active pitchers have defeated 29 teams.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], three active pitchers have defeated 28 teams.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], eight active pitchers have defeated 27 teams.
As of July 30, 2024 [update], ten active pitchers have defeated 26 teams.