Giants' Justin Verlander Passes Walter Johnson Ninth All-Time Strikeouts

Justin Verlander, the 42-year-old right-hander for the San Francisco Giants, recently made baseball history by surpassing Hall of Famer Walter Johnson to claim ninth place on the all-time MLB strikeout list with 3,520 strikeouts. This milestone was achieved during a six-inning, five-strikeout performance against the Chicago Cubs, contributing to the Giants' 5-2 victory, where Verlander notched his second win of the season and remains undefeated against the Cubs in his career. Despite a challenging 2025 season record of 2-10 and recovering from right pectoral soreness and Tommy John surgery, Verlander reflected on the significance of this achievement and his ongoing pursuit of 300 career wins. Verlander's milestone places him among elite company alongside rivals like Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw, with his sights set on eighth place on the strikeout list, held by Gaylord Perry. The Giants' recent win marked their third consecutive victory, aided by key contributions from Wilmer Flores, Matt Chapman, and Heliot Ramos. Verlander’s accomplishment highlights his sustained excellence across two decades and his continued impact on the sport despite the team’s postseason challenges.