List of Major League Baseball pitchers who have beaten all 30 teams explained

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.

30 team winners

, 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
BoldDenotes active player[2]
NameDate feat was accomplishedTeamOpponentScore
Al LeiterApril 30, 2002[3] [4] New York Mets@ Arizona Diamondbacks10–1
Kevin BrownMarch 31, 2004New York Yankees@ Tampa Bay Devil Rays12–1
Terry MulhollandJuly 19, 2004[5] Minnesota Twins@ Detroit Tigers3–1
Curt SchillingSeptember 10, 2004Boston Red Sox@ Seattle Mariners13–2
Woody WilliamsSeptember 26, 2006San Diego Padres@ St. Louis Cardinals7–5
Jamie MoyerMay 26, 2008Philadelphia Philliesvs. Colorado Rockies20–5
Randy Johnson *April 19, 2009San Francisco Giantsvs. Arizona Diamondbacks2–0
Barry ZitoJune 12, 2010San Francisco Giantsvs. Oakland Athletics5–4
Javier VázquezJuly 21, 2010[6] New York Yankeesvs. Los Angeles Angels10–6
Vicente PadillaAugust 10, 2010Los Angeles Dodgers@ Philadelphia Phillies15–9
Derek LoweMay 10, 2012Cleveland Indians@ Boston Red Sox8–3
A. J. BurnettJuly 21, 2012Pittsburgh Piratesvs. Miami Marlins5–1
Dan HarenAugust 9, 2013[7] Washington Nationalsvs. Philadelphia Phillies9–2
Kyle LohseJune 26, 2015[8] Milwaukee Brewersvs. Minnesota Twins10–4
Tim HudsonJuly 26, 2015[9] San Francisco Giantsvs. Oakland Athletics4–3
John LackeyApril 18, 2016[10] Chicago Cubs@ St. Louis Cardinals5–0
Max ScherzerMay 11, 2016[11] Washington Nationalsvs. Detroit Tigers3–2
Bartolo ColonAugust 20, 2017[12] Minnesota Twinsvs. Arizona Diamondbacks12–5
Zack GreinkeSeptember 14, 2019[13] Houston Astros@ Kansas City Royals6–1
Gerrit ColeJuly 10, 2021[14] New York Yankees@ Houston Astros1-0
Justin VerlanderMay 10, 2023[15] New York Mets@ Cincinnati Reds2-1
Charlie MortonJune 28, 2024[16] Atlanta Bravesvs. Pittsburgh Pirates6-1
Lance LynnJuly 30, 2024St. Louis Cardinalsvs. Texas Rangers8-1
Notes

Active pitchers approaching 30 wins

29 team winners

, six active pitchers have defeated 29 teams.

28 team winners

, five active pitchers have defeated 28 teams.

27 team winners

, seven active pitchers have defeated 27 teams.

26 team winners

, ten active pitchers have defeated 26 teams.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-08-24 . Play ball vs. all: MLB teams facing other 29 in '23 . 2024-04-23 . ESPN.com . en.
  2. A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or not played for a full season.
  3. Web site: Lennon. David. All Teams Know 'L' In Leiter. newsday.com. Newsday. 29 September 2016. May 1, 2002.
  4. Web site: Jaffe. Chris. 10th anniversary: first man to beat 30 franchises. hardballtimes.com. The Hardball Times. 29 September 2016. April 30, 2012.
  5. News: Mullholland Beats All – Veteran Left-hander Tops Detroit, His 30th Victim. 29 September 2016. Toledo Blade. Associated Press. July 20, 2004. C1.
  6. Web site: Associated Press. Javier Vazquez Becomes Third Active Pitcher to Beat All 30 Teams in Yankees Win. nesn.com. New England Sports Network. 29 September 2016. July 21, 2010.
  7. Web site: Cassavell. A.J.. Washington Nationals right-hander Dan Haren tops the Philadelphia Phillies to become the 13th pitcher to beat all 30 Major League teams. Major League Baseball. August 9, 2013. 29 September 2016.
  8. Web site: Gruman. Andrew. Milwaukee Brewers' Kyle Lohse completes rare feat with defeat of Minnesota Twins. June 27, 2015. 29 September 2016. Fox Sports.
  9. Web site: McCauley. Janie. Associated Press. Hudson beats his former A's, now has W against all 30 teams. 27 July 2015. Yahoo! Sports.
  10. Web site: Sharkey-Gotlieb. Simon. Lackey becomes 16th pitcher to beat all 30 teams. thescore.com. Score Media Ventures. 29 September 2016. April 19, 2016.
  11. Web site: Birenbaum. Jonah. Scherzer's Gem Makes Him 17th Pitcher to Beat All 30 Teams. thescore.com. Score Media Ventures. 29 September 2016. May 12, 2016.
  12. Web site: Twins' Bartolo Colon Beats Diamondbacks to Accomplish Rare MLB Feat. 20 August 2017.
  13. Web site: Greinke slows Royals for wins over all MLB clubs. MLB.com. en. 2019-09-15.
  14. Web site: Yankees vs. Astros - Game Recap - July 10, 2021 - ESPN.
  15. Web site: Mets vs. Reds - Game Recap - May 10, 2023. .
  16. Web site: Mark. Bowman. Morton pitches like a frontline starter to reach elite milestone. .

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