Tyrannosaurus

Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Pete Alexander, Christy Mathewson, Pud Galvin, Warren Spahn, Kid Nichols, and Roger Clemens are names of pitchers in a very exclusive club. The "350 Win Club" has recently added another member, perhaps the last ever. The 4-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux picked up his 350th win on May 10th with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. In classic Maddux fashion, his stat line read like this: 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 9 GB, and 6 FB. In his illustrious 23 year career he has a 3.12 ERA, 350 wins vs. 217 losses, 109 complete games, and 35 shutouts. He also has a knack for flashing the leather. Maddux has won the Gold Glove Award for pitchers every year since 1990 except 2003. Yes, that is 17 Gold Gloves, the most ever by any position player.

Like the King of the North American dinosaur in the picture, has North America seen the "350 Win Club" become extinct. I think we have seen the last member enter this club. In order to win 350 games, a pitcher has to average 17.5 wins over 20 years. That is a lot of wins per season by today's standards. With the advent of the 5 man pitching staff, and only throwing 6-7 innings per start, most pitchers would have to be on the mound 25 years to pick up number 350. Maybe the most compelling thing about this club is most of the members are extinct. Only 3 of the 9 members have pitched in the "modern era" of baseball. I consider the "modern era" to be post-Jackie Robinson. Following I will give a synopsis of each member of the club, and then mention some long-shots at the club.

Cy Young pitched from 1890 to 1911 for the Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Americans, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Naps. In his 22 year career, the right-hander compiled 511 wins, an average of 23.2 wins per year. Cy was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937. The best pitcher in the American League and National League is presented annually with the "Cy Young Award".

Walter Johnson pitched from 1907 to 1927 for the Washington Senators. The 2-time MVP picked up 417 wins in his 21 year career, an average of 19.9 per year. The right-hander still holds the record for most career shutouts with 110. "The Big Train" was an inaugural member of the Hall of Fame in 1936.

Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched from 1911 to 1930 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. In 20 years, "Old Pete" picked up 373 wins, averaging 18.7 per year. The right-hander is 2nd on the all-time list of shutouts with 90. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1938.

Christy Mathewson is tied for 3rd on the the all-time win list with Alexander at 373. "The Christian Gentleman" pitched from 1900 to 1916 for the New York Giants. "Big Six" averaged 21.9 wins per year. "Matty" was an inaugural member of the Hall of Fame in 1936.

"Pud" Galvin pitched from 1875 to 1892 for the St. Louis Brown Stock, Buffalo Bisons, Pittsburgh Alleghenys, Pittsburgh Burghers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns. The right-hander won 364 games in his 15 year career, an amazing average of 24.3 per year. The right has something in common with Roger Clemens besides each being a member of the club - performance enhancing drugs. In 1889 Pud Galvin openly used the performance enhancing drug Brown-Séquard elixir, which contained monkey testosterone. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1965.

Warren Spahn pitched from 1942 to 1965 for the Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. The "Thinking Man's Pitcher" won 363 games in his 21 year career for an average of 17.3 per year. The only south-paw in the club won 1 Cy Young Award and was elected to 14 All Star games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.

Charles Nichols pitched from 1890 to 1906 for the Boston Beaneaters, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies. "Kid Nichols" won 361 games in his 15 year career for an outstanding average of 24.1 per year. He has the distinction of being the youngest person to the 300 win level. He was only 30 years old upon hitting that plateau. Kid was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1949.

Roger Clemens pitched from 1984 to 2007 for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros. "The Rocket" won 354 games in his 24 years, for an average of 14.8 per year. The 7-time Cy Young Award winner has 1 MVP and 11 All Star Game elections on his award mantle. Time will only tell if he is elected to the Hall of Fame.

Following are active pitchers who have at least 7 years of major league experience, at least 90 wins, and are 30 years old or younger. By contrast, through 8 years Greg Maddux was 27 years old with 115 wins for an average of 14.4 per year. Through 8 years, Roger Clemens was 28 years old with 134 wins for an average of 16.8 per year.

Roy Oswalt (4-3 5.05 ERA) may have the best chance of reaching 300 wins, but 350 seems very steep since he already is 30 years old. The Houston Astro righty has 112 wins in his first 7 years for an average of 16 per year. Oswalt has been selected to three All Star Games.

Barry Zito (0-7 6.58 ERA) has 113 wins in his first 8 years for an average of 14.1 per year. The 30 year old south paw has 1 Cy Young Award and is a 3 time All Star.

Mark Buehrle (1-5 5.81 ERA) has 107 wins in his first 8 years for an average of 13.4 per year. The 29 year old lefty is a 3 time All Star.

C.C. Sabathia (2-5 6.55) could have an outside chance at 300 as well, considering his age (27), but he lacks the consistency to join the club. The Cleveland Indian lefty has 100 wins in his first 7 years for an average of 14.3 per year. C.C. has 1 Cy Young Award and been elected to the All Star Game 3 times.

Johan Santana (4-2 3.10 ERA) has posted 93 victories in his first 8 years for an average of 11.6 per year. The 29 year old south paw has 2 Cy Young Awards and made 3 All Star game appearances.

Jon Garland (4-3 4.30 ERA) has 92 wins in his first 8 years for an average of 11.5 per year. The 28 year old Angel right-hander has made 1 All Star appearance.

As you can see, the preceding pitchers are very long shots to join the 350 Club let alone reach the 300 milestone. I think my extinction claim of the 350 Club will last for quite some time.