As I listened to Tim Lincecum's 28th 10+ strikeout game, I couldn't help but wonder where exactly it ranks in baseball history. As we've all heard by now, he has tied "First Five" Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson for most 10K games in Giants history.
But where does it rank outside Giants history?
Well, Tim just pitched his 28th 10K game. Nolan Ryan pitched 215. Two hundred and fifteen.
That's over 2,000 strikeouts right there -- but fewer than half of his record 5,714 strikeouts over the course of his career. He threw seven no-hitters but never won a Cy Young Award.
Randy Johnson's body of work, however, may be even more impressive:
Over the course of his career, Johnson had 212 10+ strikeout games, only three short of Ryan.
Remember the game when Timmy struck out 15? Randy Johnson struck out 15 or more in a game 29 times.
But perhaps the most mind blowing of all -- Timmy just threw his 28th 10+ strikeout game. Randy Johnson had 23 10+ strikeout games every year from 1999-2001. Meaning he struck out 10 or more in 23 games in three straight seasons.
If you're not breathing into a paper bag right now, read that last one again.
I say all this not to rag on Tim. He's freaking incredible. In fact, his 907 strikeouts through his first four seasons is most in Major League history. Yes, most ever.
It's just fun to put things in perspective and to remind ourselves of all the incredible things that have been accomplished in this game. Lincecum is a special pitcher. And Giants fans are truly blessed to be able to watch him every fifth day and call him their own. He's well on his way, but he's got a long way to go before he reaches the same level as these two all-time greats.
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