Strikeouts : 1976 National League Top 25

Finding the American or National League leader in virtually every hitting & pitching statistic is easy-to-do. Finding the top 25 players during any given season is far more challenging. Baseball Almanac has taken away that difficult problem and is pleased to present the data you requested:

"The key for this year was staying healthy, playing 154 games (his biggest goal was to play 162 games). When I'm healthy, I'm can put up the best numbers I can." - Juan Gonzalez (1999)
 

1976 Strikeouts Leaders

Top 25 in the National League

Tom Seaver 235 New York Mets 1
J.R. Richard 214 Houston Astros 2
Jerry Koosman 200 New York Mets 3
Steve Carlton 195 Philadelphia Phillies 4
Phil Niekro 173 Atlanta Braves 5
John Montefusco 172 San Francisco Giants 6
Don Sutton 161 Los Angeles Dodgers 7
Jon Matlack 153 New York Mets 8
Steve Rogers 150 Montreal Expos 9
Rick Reuschel 146 Chicago Cubs 10
Pat Zachry 143 Cincinnati Reds 11
Dick Ruthven 142 Atlanta Braves 12
John Candelaria 138 Pittsburgh Pirates 13
Pete Falcone 138 St. Louis Cardinals  
Andy Messersmith 135 Atlanta Braves 15
Ed Halicki 130 San Francisco Giants 16
Fred Norman 126 Cincinnati Reds 17
Woodie Fryman 123 Montreal Expos 18
Mickey Lolich 120 New York Mets 19
Jim Lonborg 118 Philadelphia Phillies 20
Burt Hooton 116 Los Angeles Dodgers 21
Steve Renko 116 Montreal Expos  
Chicago Cubs  
Gary Nolan 113 Cincinnati Reds 23
Ray Burris 112 Chicago Cubs 24
Larry Dierker 112 Houston Astros  



The most recognizable Detroit Tiger to wear the number twenty-five was probably Norm Cash (who wore it from 1960 through 1974), but did you know that Hall of Famer Larry Doby also wore it during his single season with Detroit?

Did you know that more than forty players have worn the number twenty-five for the Boston Red Sox — including Jack Clark, Denny Galehouse, Dizzy Trout and Tony Conigliaro.

Jose Cruz of the Houston Astros had his number twenty-five retired on October 3, 1992, and became the first Major League player with that particular retired number.