Justin Verlander Becomes 10th MLB Pitcher to Reach 3,500 Career Strikeouts

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Justin Verlander has done it again — making baseball history and reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. On August 10, 2025, during the San Francisco Giants’ matchup against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park, the 42-year-old right-hander recorded his 3,500th career strikeout, joining one of the most exclusive clubs in Major League Baseball.

A Historic Moment in the First Inning

The milestone came quickly. Justin Verlander struck out the side in the opening frame, sealing his place as the 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500 strikeouts. The crowd recognized the achievement with a standing ovation, and even in the heat of competition, Verlander acknowledged the moment with a brief tip of his cap.

While the Giants went on to lose the game 8-0 to a red-hot Nationals lineup, the milestone stood out as a bright spot. In five innings of work, Verlander gave up 11 hits and five earned runs but also fanned six batters — pushing his career total to 3,503 strikeouts.

Joining Baseball Royalty

The 3,500-strikeout club is an elite fraternity. Names like Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Walter Johnson populate the list. Verlander’s achievement places him among these legends, further cementing his Hall of Fame credentials.

Even more impressive is the fact that Verlander still has the opportunity to climb the all-time leaderboard. As of now, he’s just 11 strikeouts behind Walter Johnson’s career total — a record that has stood for nearly a century.

Verlander Reflects on His Journey

After the game, Verlander spoke modestly about the accomplishment.

“I was happy to get there, happy to have a moment with the fans. It’s a cool milestone. I really appreciate what it’s taken to get there.”

This humility is typical of Verlander, who has always let his pitching do the talking. From his early days with the Detroit Tigers to his dominance with the Houston Astros and now his tenure with the Giants, he’s been a model of consistency, competitiveness, and longevity.

Nationals Steal the Spotlight

While Verlander’s achievement grabbed headlines, the Nationals were in no mood to play supporting roles. James Wood delivered two two-run doubles, CJ Abrams crushed a home run, and Paul DeJong added two RBI singles as Washington pounded out 17 hits.

On the mound, MacKenzie Gore was dominant, throwing six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, while the bullpen locked down the shutout.

What This Means for Verlander’s Legacy

This season has been a challenging one for Verlander — his current record stands at 1-9 with a 4.53 ERA — but the 3,500-strikeout milestone is a reminder that his career is about far more than this year’s numbers.

Longevity and Consistency: Very few pitchers maintain elite strikeout numbers into their 40s.
Historical Impact: Being one of only ten pitchers to ever reach 3,500 strikeouts ensures Verlander’s place in baseball history.
A Hall of Fame Resume: Three Cy Young Awards, multiple All-Star selections, a World Series MVP, and now this milestone make his induction into Cooperstown a near certainty.

Final Thoughts

Justin Verlander’s 3,500th strikeout is more than just a number — it’s a testament to decades of dominance, resilience, and an unrelenting competitive spirit. Even as the Giants work through a tough season, their veteran ace continues to deliver moments that will be remembered long after he throws his final pitch.