The 100 Greatest Starting Pitchers in MLB History

The WAR number is a combination of B-Ref and Davenport, the best WAR that exists for historical comparison.  Additional numbers are ERA+, innings pitched, WAR/Innings Pitched, and the number of Most Valuable Player Quality Seasons (8 WAR seasons - 8 WAR is an MVPQ, 10 WAR is an EMVPQ, 12 WAR an EEMVPQ, 14 WAR an EEEMVPQ)

I've got starting pitchers carried out to 128 places for a project you probably aren't going to see; I'll limit that to 100 here, but I have 128.

Each player is only listed with one team - the team that is most representative of his MLB performance.  This is just merit, that's the only way I rank stuff - it's not social impact or the quality of their character.  It's performance.

1. Walter Johnson (1907-27, Senators) WAR 158.5 ERA+ 147 IP 5914 (WAR/IP .0268) EEEMVPQ: 13, EEMVPQ: 12, 14, EMVPQ:  10, 15, 19, 18, 16, 

2. Roger Clemens (1984-2007, Red Sox) WAR 148.05 ERA+ 143 IP 4916 (.0301) EEMVPQ: 97, EMVPQ: 90 MVPQ: 87, 86, 92, 98, 91, 05, 

3. Cy Young (1890-1911, Spiders) WAR 142.65 ERA+ 138 IP 7356 (.0194) EMVPQ: 92, 01, MVPQ: 95, 93, 96, 94, 02, 08, 04, 

4. Pete Alexander (1911-30, Phillies) WAR 114.65 ERA+ 135 IP 5190 (.0221) EEMVPQ: 20, 16 EMVPQ: 15,  MVPQ: 17, 14,

5. Randy Johnson (1988-2009, Diamondbacks) WAR 106.3 ERA+ 135 IP 4135 (.0257) EMVPQ: 02, MVPQ: 01, 99, 95, 04, 00, 97,

6. Greg Maddux (1986-2008, Braves) WAR 114.3 ERA+ 132 IP 5008 (.0228) EMVPQ: 95, 94 MVPQ: 92

7. Tom Seaver (1967-86, Mets) WAR 109.15 ERA+ 127 IP 4783 (.0228) EMVPQ: 73, 71 MVPQ: 75

8. Christy Mathewson (1900-16, Giants) WAR 99.45 ERA+ 136 IP 4788 (.0208) EMVPQ: 08, 03, 09, MVPQ: 05, 01, 10 

9. Warren Spahn (1942-65, Braves) WAR 107.3 ERA+ 119 IP 5243 (.0205) MVPQ: 47, 53, 51,

10. Pedro Martinez (1992-2009, Red Sox) WAR 86.7 ERA+ 154 IP 2827 (307)  EMVPQ: 00, 99, MVPQ: 97,

11. Lefty Grove (1925-41, Athletics) WAR 92.8 ERA+  148 IP 3940 (236) MVPQ: 36, 31,

12. Mike Mussina (1991-2008, Orioles) WAR 91.05 ERA+ 123 IP 3562 (256) MVPQ: 92,

13. Bob Gibson (1959-75, Cardinals) WAR 87.15 ERA+ 127 IP 3884 (224) EEMVPQ: 68 EMVPQ: 69 MVPQ:

14. Bert Blyleven (1970-92, Twins) WAR 96.8 ERA+ 118 IP 4970 (194) MVPQ: 73,

15. Kid Nichols (1890-06, Beaneaters) WAR 87.6 ERA+ 140 5067 (173) MVPQ: 90, 93, 97, 98,

16. Tom Glavine (1987-2008, Braves) WAR 86.1 ERA+ 118 IP 4413 (195) MVPQ: 91

17. Eddie Plank (1901-1917, Athletics) WAR 84.85 ERA+ 122 IP 4495 (189) MVPQ: 04

18. Gaylord Perry (1962-83, Giants) WAR 91.5 ERA+ 117 IP 5350 (171) EMVPQ: 72, MVPQ: 74

19. Steve Carlton (1968-88, Phillies) WAR 90.9 ERA+115 IP 5217 (174) EEMVPQ: 72, MVPQ: 80

20. Phil Niekro (1964-87, Braves) WAR 92.5 ERA+ 115 IP 5404 (171) MVPQ: 78

21. Curt Schilling (1988-2007, Phillies) WAR 79.3 ERA+127 IP 3261 (243)

22. John Smoltz (1988-2009, Braves) WAR 78.9 ERA+125 IP 3473 (227)

23. Ferguson Jenkins (1965-83, Cubs) WAR 83.25 ERA+ 115 IP 4500 (185) EMVPQ: 71,

24. Robin Roberts (1948-66, Phillies) WAR 86.2 ERA+ 113 IP 4688 (184) MVPQ: 53, 54, 52, 51

25. Nolan Ryan (1976-93, Angels) WAR 87.95 ERA+ 112 IP 5386 (163)

26. Clayton Kershaw (2008 - Dodgers) WAR 67.1 ERA+161 IP 1935 (347) MVPQ: 13, 14, 11, 15,

27. Roy Halladay (1998-2013, Blue Jays) WAR 69.95 ERA+ 131 IP 2749 (254) MVPQ: 11, 10, 03, 09,

28. Kevin Brown (1986-2005, Rangers) WAR 74.35 ERA+ 127 IP 3256 (228) MVPQ: 98, 96,

29. Bret Saberhagen (1984-2001, Royals) WAR 64.5 ERA+ 126 IP 2562 (252) MVPQ: 89,

30. Ed Walsh (1904-17 White Sox) WAR 66.3 ERA+ 145 IP 2964 (224) EMVPQ: 12, 10, 08, MVPQ: 11, 07,

31. Zack Greinke (2004- Royals) WAR 66.85 ERA+ 123 IP 2455 (272) EMVPQ: 09, 15,

32. Justin Verlander (2005-Tigers) WAR 65.2 ERA+124 IP 2545 (256) MVPQ: 11, 12

33. Carl Hubbell (1928-43,Giants) WAR 70.3 ERA+130 IP 3590 (196) EMVPQ:  33 MVPQ: 36,

34. Hal Newhouser (1939-55, Tigers) WAR 64.7 ERA+ 130 IP 2993 (217) EMVPQ: 45, MVPQ: 46, 44,

35. David Cone (1986-2003, Mets) WAR 67.1 ERA+ 121 IP 2898 (232)

36. Don Drysdale (1956-69,Dodgers) WAR 69.5 ERA+ 121 IP 3432 (203)  MVPQ: 64,

37. Jim Palmer (1965-84, Orioles) WAR 70.55 ERA+125 IP 3948 (179) MVPQ: 79,

38. CC Sabathia (2001-, Indians) WAR 71.55 ERA+ 117 IP 3317 (216)

39. Rick Reuschel (1972-91, Cubs) WAR 68.6 ERA+ 114 IP 3548 (193) MVPQ: 77

40. Bob Feller (1936-56, Indians) WAR 66.55 ERA+ 122 IP 3827 (174) EMVPQ: 46, MVPQ: 40, 39, 41,

41. John Clarkson (1882-94, Beaneaters) WAR 65.75 ERA+133 IP 4536 (145)  EEMVPQ: 89, EMVPQ: 87, MVPQ: 85

42. Ted Lyons (1923-46, White Sox) WAR 68.8 ERA+ 118 IP 4161 (165)

43. Red Ruffing (1924-47, Yankees) WAR 68.4 ERA+109 IP 4344 (157)

44. Don Sutton (1966-88,Dodgers) WAR 73.05 ERA+108 IP 5282 (138)

45. Felix Hernandez (2005-Mariners) WAR 60.65 ERA+ 125 IP 2502 (242)

46. Andy Pettitte (1995-2013, Yankees) WAR 67.75 ERA+ 117 IP 3316 (204) MVPQ: 97

47. Johan Santana (2000-12, Twins) WAR 56.8 ERA+136 IP 2025 (280) MVPQ: 04, 06

48. Chuck Finley (1986-2002, Angels) WAR 66.1 ERA+ 115 IP 3197 (207) MVPQ: 90

49. Juan Marichal (1960-75, Giants) WAR 62.7 ERA+ 123 IP 3507 (179) EMVPQ: 65  MVPQ: 66

50. Tim Hudson (1999-2015, A's) WAR 63.5 ERA+ 120 IP 3126 (203)

51. Dazzy Vance (1915-35, Dodgers) WAR 59.45 ERA+ 125 IP 2966 (200) EMVPQ: 24, MVPQ: 28,

52. Tim Keefe (1880-93, Giants) WAR 67.75 ERA+ 126 IP 5049 (134) EEMVPQ: 83,

53. Amos Rusie (1889-1901, Giants) WAR 59.3 ERA+ 129 IP 3778 (157) EMVPQ: 94, MVPQ: 96,

54. Cole Hamels (2006-, Phillies) WAR 56.6 ERA+124 IP 2362 (240)

55. Luis Tiant (1964-82, Red Sox) WAR 65.6 ERA+ 114 IP 3486 (188) MVPQ: 68

56. Kevin Appier (1989-04, Royals) 58.55 ERA+ 121 IP 2595 (226) MVPQ: 92,93

57. Dave Stieb (1979-98, Jays) 59.1 ERA+ 122 IP 2895 (204)

58. Mark Buehrle (2000-15 White Sox) WAR 63.9 ERA+117 IP3283 (195)

59. Orel Hershiser (1983-2000, Dodgers) WAR 60.5 ERA+ 112 IP 3130 (193) MVPQ: 88, 89

60. Whitey Ford  (1950-67, Yankees) WAR 58.7 ERA+ 133 IP 3170 (185)

61. Frank Tanana (1973-93 Angels) WAR 66 ERA+ 106 IP  4188 (158) MVPQ: 76,

62. David Wells (1987-2007, Jays) 60.35  ERA+ 108  IP 3439 (175)

63. Kenny Rogers (1989-08, Rangers) 58.8 ERA+ 107 IP 3302  (178)

64. Red Faber (1914-33, White Sox) 60.6 ERA+ 119 IP 4086 (148) EMVPQ: 21 MVPQ: 22

65. Tommy John (1963-89, White Sox) WAR 65.85 ERA+ 111 IP 4710 (140)

66. Wes Ferrell (1927-41, Indians) 55.95  ERA+ 116 IP 2623 (213)  MVPQ: 35, 30

67. Rube Waddell (1897-10, Athletics) 55.1 ERA+ 135 IP 2961 (186) MVPQ: 05, 04, 02,

68. Stan Coveleski (1912-28, Indians) 56.9 ERA+ 127 IP 3082 (185) MVPQ: 18, 20

69. Three Finger Brown  (1903-16, Cubs) 54.55 ERA+ 139 IP 3172 (172) MVPQ: 08, 09,

70. Sandy Koufax (1955-66, Dodgers) 51.5 ERA+ 131 IP 2324 (222) EMVPQ: 63, 66 MVPQ: 65

71. Roy Oswalt (2001-13, Astros)53.6  ERA+ 127 IP 2245 (239)

72. Ron Guidry  (1975-88, Yankees) 51.45 ERA+ 119 IP 2392 (215) MVPQ: 78

73. Jimmy Key (1984-98, Jays) 54.25 ERA+ 122 IP 2591 (209)

74. Bucky Walters (1934-50, Reds) 56.55 ERA+ 116 IP 3104 (182) MVPQ: 39

75. Early Wynn (1939-63, Indians) 62.3 ERA+ 107 IP 4564 (137)

76. Hoss Radbourn (1881-91, Grays) 60.3  ERA+ 119 IP 4527 (133) EEMVPQ: 84 EMVPQ: 83

77. Max Scherzer (2008 - Tigers) WAR 50.45 ERA+ 127 IP 1897 (266)

78. Dwight Gooden (1984-00, Mets) 57.2 ERA+ 111 IP 2800 (204) EEMVPQ: 85

79. Urban Shocker (1916-28, Browns) 52.75 ERA+ 124 IP 2681 (197)

80. Dizzy Trout (1939-57, Tigers) 50.5 ERA+ 124 IP 2725 (185) EMVPQ: 44

81. Eddie Cicotte (1905-20, White Sox) 55.3 ERA+ 123 IP 3226 (171) EMVPQ: 17, MVPQ: 19

82. Jim Bunning (1955-71, Tigers) 58.95 ERA+ 115 IP 3760 (157) MVPQ: 66, 65, 67

83. Wilbur Wood (1961-78, White Sox) 50.3 ERA+ 114 IP 2684 (187) EMVPQ: 71, MVPQ: 72

84. Dutch Leonard (1933-53, Senators) 54.75  ERA+ 119 IP 3218 (170)

85. Bartolo Colon (1997 - Indians) WAR 55.5 ERA+ 107 IP 3315 (167)

86. Billy Pierce (1945-64, White Sox) 54.3 ERA+ 119 IP 3306 (164)

87. Clark Griffith (1891-14, Cubs) 55.2 ERA+ 121 IP 3385 (163) MVPQ: 98,

88. Jerry Koosman (1967-85, Mets) 55.6 ERA+ 110 IP3839 (145)

89. Mark Langston (1984-99, Angels) 54.85 ERA+ 107 IP 2962 (185)

90. Joe McGinnity (1899-10, Giants) 50.4 ERA+ 120 IP 3441 (146) MVPQ: 03, 04,

91. Jamie Moyer (1986-10, Mariners) 57.6 ERA+ 103 IP 4074 (141)

92. Vic Willis (1898-10, Beaneaters) 55.65 ERA+ 117 IP 3996 (139)

93. Jack Quinn (1909-33, Yankees) 54.25 ERA+ 114 IP 3920 (138)

94. Jim McCormick (1878-87, Blues)55.65  ERA+ 118 IP 4275 (130)

95. Eppa Rixey (1912-33, Reds)  55.75  ERA+ 115 IP 4494  (124)

96. Dennis Martinez (1976-98, Expos) 54.1 ERA+ 106 IP 3999 (135)

97. Pud Galvin (1875-92, Bisons) 59.55 ERA+107 IP 6003 (99) EMVPQ: 84

98. Jack Powell (1897-12, Browns) 54.6 ERA+ 106 IP 4389 (124)

99. Chris Sale (2010- White Sox) WAR 43.2 ERA+ 139 IP 1324 (323)

100. Dizzy Dean (1930-47, Cards) 46.55 ERA+ 131 IP 1967 (237) MVPQ: 39

(last out - Adam Wainwright)