Justin Verlander joins exclusive MLB club with record 3,500 career strikeouts

San Francisco Giants ace Justin Verlander reached a historic milestone Sunday, becoming just the 10th pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to record 3,500 career strikeouts. The achievement came during the Giants’ 8-0 loss to the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park.

Verlander entered the game with 3,497 strikeouts and wasted no time making history. He struck out James Wood swinging to open the first inning, fanned CJ Abrams next, then, after allowing consecutive singles to Josh Bell and Paul DeJong, got Nathaniel Lowe swinging on a 95 mph fastball to reach the 3,500 mark.


The crowd of 40,000 gave the 42-year-old a standing ovation, and he tipped his cap in acknowledgment.

"It’s a cool milestone," Verlander said. "I was happy to get there, happy to have a moment with the fans."


Despite the personal achievement, the rest of the afternoon proved difficult for both Verlander and the Giants. The Nationals struck for four runs in the second inning and ultimately tallied five runs on 11 hits against the three-time Cy Young Award winner before he exited.

Verlander finished with six strikeouts, leaving him 10th on MLB’s all-time list, just nine shy of Walter Johnson’s 3,509. Nolan Ryan leads the list with 5,714.

Offensively, the Giants struggled mightily, managing only three hits against Washington’s 17. The loss left Verlander unsatisfied despite his milestone.


"Obviously, we need to play better, no doubt about it," he said. "No excuses. We need to be better."

Verlander’s latest feat adds to an illustrious career that includes an MVP award, two World Series titles, and a likely Hall of Fame induction, further cementing his status among baseball’s all-time great pitchers.