New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole Joins Amazing Club in Baseball History

By recording his 2,000th career strikeout, Cole reached the milestone in the third-fewest innings in history.

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole joined a very exclusive club in baseball history on Tuesday night, recording his 2,000th career strikeout in the third fewest innings ever.

James Smythe of the YES Network has the full list....

MLB Fewest Innings to Reach 2,000 Career Strikeouts

1626.0 Chris Sale 2019 BOS 

1711.1 Pedro Martinez 2002 BOS 

1714.2 Gerrit Cole 2023 NYY *** 

1733.1 Randy Johnson 1997 SEA 

1784.0 Max Scherzer 2017 WAS 

1837.2 Clayton Kershaw 2017 LAD 

1865.2 Nolan Ryan 1976 CAL

MLB Fewest Innings to Reach 2,000 Career Strikeouts
1626.0 Chris Sale 2019 BOS
1711.1 Pedro Martinez 2002 BOS
1714.2 Gerrit Cole 2023 NYY ***
1733.1 Randy Johnson 1997 SEA
1784.0 Max Scherzer 2017 WAS
1837.2 Clayton Kershaw 2017 LAD
1865.2 Nolan Ryan 1976 CAL

— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) May 23, 2023

That's very impressive because it's almost an exclusively Hall of Fame or soon-to-be Hall of Fame list. Martinez, Johnson and Ryan are already in. Scherzer and Kershaw will be in. The jury is out on Sale, but the arrow is currently pointing downwards.

Cole could possibly get there, but it's obviously unknown at this time.

Cole is one of the best pitchers of his era, pitching to a lifetime 135-71 record and a 3.19 ERA (entering play on Tuesday).

He's a five-time All-Star who was received Cy Young votes in six different seasons. He has five, Top-5 Cy Young finishes.

This season, he's 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA for the Yankees, who entered play at 29-20.

Cole is a former No. 1 pick in the draft out of UCLA who has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Houston Astros and the Yankees.

He signed a 9-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees before the 2020 season that will take him through 2028.

At the time of this posting, Cole has given up two runs to the Orioles. The Yankees trail 2-0.

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