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MLB records

Most wins by a pitcher in a season

Old Hoss Radbourn, 59 in 1884.

Old Hoss Radbourn won 59 for the Providence Grays in 1884, the MLB record for wins in a season. Since 1901 it is Jack Chesbro's 41 for the New York Highlanders in 1904.

In 2026: Sonny Gray (Boston Red Sox) and Cristopher Sánchez (Philadelphia Phillies) led MLB with 18, 23 short of the modern record.

Most wins by a pitcher in a season: the top 25

Rk
Player
W
Year
1
Old Hoss RadbournProvidence Grays
5960*
1884
2
John ClarksonChicago White Stockings
53
1885
3
Guy HeckerLouisville Colonels
52
1884
4
John ClarksonBoston Beaneaters
49
1889
5
Charlie BuffintonBoston Beaneaters
48
1884
Old Hoss RadbournProvidence Grays
48
1883
7
John WardProvidence Grays
47
1879
Al SpaldingChicago White Stockings
47
1876
9
Matt KilroyBaltimore Orioles
46
1887
Pud GalvinBuffalo Bisons
46
1884
Pud GalvinBuffalo Bisons
46
1883
12
Silver KingSt. Louis Cardinals
45
1888
Jim McCormickCleveland Spiders
45
1880
George BradleySt. Louis Brown Stockings
45
1876
15
William HutchinsonChicago Colts
44
1891
Mickey WelchNew York Gothams
44
1885
17
Billy TaylorSt. Louis Maroons
43
1884
Will WhiteCincinnati Red Stockings
43
1883
Larry CorcoranChicago White Stockings
43
1880
Tommy BondBoston Red Caps
43
1879
Will WhiteCincinnati Reds
43
1879
22
William HutchinsonChicago Colts
42
1890
Lady BaldwinDetroit Wolverines
42
1886
Tim KeefeNew York Giants
42
1886
25
Jack ChesbroNew York Highlanders
41
1904
Dave FoutzSt. Louis Cardinals
41
1886
Ed MorrisPittsburgh Pirates
41
1886
Charlie SweeneySt. Louis Maroons
41
1884
Tim KeefeNew York Metropolitans
41
1883

Since 1901

Rk
Player
W
Year
1
Jack ChesbroNew York Highlanders
41
1904
2
Ed WalshChicago White Sox
40
1908
3
Christy MathewsonNew York Giants
37
1908
4
Walter JohnsonWashington Senators
36
1913
5
Joe McGinnityNew York Giants
35
1904
6
Joe WoodBoston Red Sox
34
1912
7
Grover AlexanderPhiladelphia Phillies
33
1916
Walter JohnsonWashington Senators
33
1912
Christy MathewsonNew York Giants
33
1904
Cy YoungBoston Americans
33
1901
11
Cy YoungBoston Americans
32
1902
12
Denny McLainDetroit Tigers
31
1968
Lefty GrovePhiladelphia Athletics
31
1931
Jim Bagby Sr.Cleveland Indians
31
1920
Grover AlexanderPhiladelphia Phillies
31
1915
Jack CoombsPhiladelphia Athletics
31
1910
Christy MathewsonNew York Giants
31
1905
Joe McGinnityNew York Giants
31
1903
19
Dizzy DeanSt. Louis Cardinals
30
1934
Grover AlexanderPhiladelphia Phillies
30
1917
Christy MathewsonNew York Giants
30
1903
22
Hal NewhouserDetroit Tigers
29
1944
Eddie CicotteChicago White Sox
29
1919
Claude HendrixChicago Whales
29
1914
George MullinDetroit Tigers
29
1909
Mordecai BrownChicago Cubs
29
1908

More than once in the top 25: Will White 2 times, Old Hoss Radbourn 2 times, Pud Galvin 2 times, Tim Keefe 2 times, John Clarkson 2 times and William Hutchinson 2 times.

* Baseball-Reference's figure, where it differs from MLB's official one.

Every team's record

Atlanta BravesAl Spalding, 1875 (Boston Braves)
54
Chicago CubsJohn Clarkson, 1885 (Chicago White Stockings)
53
San Francisco GiantsMickey Welch, 1885 (New York Gothams)
44
Cincinnati RedsWill White, 1883 (Cincinnati Red Stockings)
43
New York YankeesJack Chesbro, 1904 (New York Highlanders)
41
Pittsburgh PiratesEd Morris, 1886
41
Chicago White SoxEd Walsh, 1908
40
Los Angeles DodgersBob Caruthers, 1889 (Brooklyn Bridegrooms)
40
Philadelphia PhilliesKid Gleason, 1890
38
Minnesota TwinsWalter Johnson, 1913 (Washington Senators)
36
Boston Red SoxJoe Wood, 1912
34
AthleticsJack Coombs, 1910 (Philadelphia Athletics); Lefty Grove, 1931 (Philadelphia Athletics)
31
Cleveland GuardiansJim Bagby Sr., 1920 (Cleveland Indians)
31
Detroit TigersDenny McLain, 1968
31
St. Louis CardinalsDizzy Dean, 1934
30
Baltimore OriolesUrban Shocker, 1921 (St. Louis Browns)
27
New York MetsTom Seaver, 1969
25
Texas RangersFergie Jenkins, 1974
25
Arizona DiamondbacksRandy Johnson, 2002
24
Kansas City RoyalsBret Saberhagen, 1989
23
Houston AstrosMike Hampton, 1999
22
Los Angeles AngelsNolan Ryan, 1974 (California Angels); Clyde Wright, 1970 (California Angels)
22
Miami MarlinsDontrelle Willis, 2005 (Florida Marlins)
22
Milwaukee BrewersMike Caldwell, 1978
22
San Diego PadresRandy Jones, 1976
22
Toronto Blue JaysRoy Halladay, 2003
22
Seattle MarinersJamie Moyer, 2003
21
Tampa Bay RaysBlake Snell, 2018
21
Washington NationalsGio Gonzalez, 2012
21
Colorado RockiesUbaldo Jiménez, 2010
19

Each franchise's best season, including the years it played under another name or in another city.

Questions

What is the MLB record for wins in a season?

59, by Old Hoss Radbourn of the Providence Grays in 1884. The record since 1901 is Jack Chesbro's 41 (1904).

Who led MLB in wins in 2026?

Sonny Gray of the Boston Red Sox and Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies, with 18. That is 23 short of the record.

Who has the most seasons among the top 25 for wins?

Will White, 2 times (1879 and 1883).

Which team's own wins record is the highest?

Atlanta Braves: Al Spalding, 54 in 1875. The lowest club record belongs to the Colorado Rockies, 19 by Ubaldo Jiménez (2010).

Which numbers count?

MLB's official records, which since 2024 include the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1948. Pitchers of the 1880s started 60 and 70 games a season, which is why every season above 41 is from the 1800s.