Top 11 Starting Pitchers of the 1970s

The 1970s weren’t just another decade in baseball—they were a proving ground.

This was an era defined by workhorses. Four-man rotations. Complete games weren’t rare—they were expected. Pitchers didn’t just throw five or six innings—they finished what they started. And they did it against lineups stacked with Hall of Fame hitters.

This was the golden age of pitching endurance, intelligence, and toughness.

From the dominance of the Baltimore Orioles rotation to the rise of the Big Red Machine and Oakland’s dynasty, the 1970s forced pitchers to be more than just talented—they had to be durable, fearless, and relentless.

This list reflects that.

11) Fergie Jenkins

Fergie Jenkins was the definition of consistency in an era that demanded greatness every fifth day. From 1967 through 1972, Jenkins put together one of the most remarkable stretches in baseball history—six consecutive 20-win seasons. In modern baseball, that kind of durability and production is almost impossible to replicate, which makes what Jenkins accomplished even more impressive.

His 1971 Cy Young season stands as the peak of his dominance, where he combined control, stamina, and command better than almost anyone in the game. Jenkins didn’t overpower hitters—he outthought them. His ability to throw strikes, limit walks, and stay efficient deep into games made him one of the most reliable starters of the era.

What separates Jenkins is that he did it without excuses. Different lineups, different parks, different conditions—same results. Every time he took the mound, you knew what you were getting: a chance to win and a pitcher who wasn’t coming out early.

That’s what defined greatness in the 1970s.

Looking at Fergie Jenkins’ career

10) Andy Messersmith

Andy Messersmith doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves—but when you dig into the numbers, it becomes clear he was one of the most effective pitchers of the decade. Among Hall of Fame-caliber arms from the 1970s, Messersmith quietly posted elite metrics across the board, including one of the best hits-per-nine innings rates and a stellar 2.86 ERA.

But numbers alone don’t tell the full story.

Messersmith was a technician. He didn’t rely on overwhelming velocity—he relied on precision, pitch sequencing, and an ability to keep hitters off balance. His control of the strike zone and his efficiency allowed him to pitch deep into games, a requirement in that era.

He also played a major role in changing the business of baseball, becoming one of the first major figures in the free agency movement. That impact alone makes his legacy bigger than just what he did on the mound.

Messersmith wasn’t flashy—but he was elite.

The Birth of Free Agency | Retro Report on PBS

9) Luis Tiant

Luis Tiant was as unique as any pitcher of his era—not just in delivery, but in personality and resilience. His unorthodox windup and ability to disrupt timing made him one of the most difficult pitchers to face, but what truly defined Tiant was his adaptability.

After early success and injury setbacks, Tiant reinvented himself into a control-oriented pitcher who could dominate games with intelligence rather than raw stuff. That transformation is one of the most impressive in baseball history.

His defining moment came in the 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds—one of the greatest teams ever assembled—where Tiant delivered a complete-game shutout. That performance wasn’t just big—it was legendary.

Despite a career that absolutely meets Hall of Fame standards, Tiant remains on the outside looking in, which only adds to his mystique.

He didn’t just survive the 1970s—he thrived in one of the toughest eras the game has ever seen.

Luis Tiant Baseball Career Highlights

8) Gaylord Perry

Gaylord Perry built a Hall of Fame career on deception, intelligence, and just enough controversy to keep hitters guessing every time he took the mound. Known for the infamous spitball—legal or not—the real advantage Perry had was psychological. Hitters weren’t just trying to hit—they were trying to figure out what he was doing.

That hesitation gave Perry the edge.

What makes his career even more impressive is the context. Perry spent much of his time pitching for mediocre teams, meaning he didn’t have the luxury of run support or dominant defenses behind him. Yet he still produced at an elite level.

Perry’s ability to adapt, compete, and outlast hitters across multiple seasons makes him one of the defining pitchers of the decade. He wasn’t always dominant in the traditional sense—but he was always effective.

And in the 1970s, that’s what mattered.

1974 ASG: Gaylord Perry’s four strikeouts

7) Don Sutton

Don Sutton is one of the most underrated great pitchers in baseball history, and that’s largely because he didn’t dominate headlines—he dominated quietly.

With 325 career wins and 60 shutouts, Sutton’s numbers demand respect. But it wasn’t just the volume—it was how he got there. Sutton was a thinking man’s pitcher, someone who understood hitters, situations, and how to control the rhythm of a game.

He often called his own pitches, something that speaks volumes about his baseball IQ and trust in his own approach.

Sutton spent much of his career with the Dodgers, consistently delivering strong performances both in the regular season and postseason. He didn’t rely on overpowering stuff—he relied on preparation and execution.

In an era filled with dominant personalities, Sutton let his performance do the talking.

And it spoke loudly.

MLB Tonight: Don Sutton’s Legacy

6) Phil Niekro

Phil Niekro mastered one of the most unpredictable pitches in baseball—the knuckleball—and turned it into a career that few could match. With nearly 320 wins and 45 shutouts, Niekro proved that mastery of craft can overcome any physical limitations.

The knuckleball isn’t just difficult for hitters—it’s difficult for everyone, including catchers. But Niekro controlled it better than anyone in history. That ability allowed him to pitch deep into games and sustain a long, productive career.

He led the league in multiple categories throughout his career, including wins, ERA, and strikeouts at various points, proving he wasn’t just a novelty—he was elite.

Niekro’s longevity is also part of his legacy. He pitched effectively well into his 40s, something almost unheard of.

He didn’t just survive the game—he adapted to it.

MLB Network remembers Phil Niekro

5) Catfish Hunter

Catfish Hunter was the ultimate big-game pitcher.

Winning 20 games five straight seasons from 1971 to 1975, Hunter was the definition of reliability. But what sets him apart is his postseason success—five World Series championships.

That’s not coincidence.

Hunter thrived under pressure. He didn’t just pitch well—he pitched his best when it mattered most. His 1974 Cy Young season highlighted his peak, but his true value came from consistency across multiple championship teams.

He wasn’t overpowering, but he was efficient, smart, and composed. He knew how to manage games, control situations, and limit damage.

In an era full of dominant arms, Hunter separated himself by winning when it counted most.

Catfish Hunter Athletics Career Highlights

4) Steve Carlton

Steve Carlton wasn’t just dominant—he was unstoppable at his peak.

One of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history, Carlton combined power, control, and endurance into a career that included over 4,000 strikeouts and four Cy Young Awards.

But his 1972 season stands above everything else.

Pitching for a Philadelphia Phillies team that won just 59 games, Carlton won 27 of them. That’s not just impressive—it’s one of the greatest individual seasons in baseball history.

Carlton didn’t rely on his team—his team relied on him.

He was a workhorse in every sense of the word, consistently pitching deep into games and taking on the best hitters without hesitation.

Carlton didn’t just dominate—he carried.

Legend Series: Steve Carlton Highlights

3) Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan is one of the most fascinating cases in baseball history.

Arguably the most dominant pitcher in terms of raw stuff—velocity, strikeouts, intimidation—yet he never won a Cy Young Award. That fact alone tells you how competitive the era was.

Ryan’s numbers in the early 1970s with the Angels were remarkable, especially considering the lack of team support. He consistently posted winning seasons while pitching for sub-.500 teams, showing just how much he carried the load.

His strikeout ability was unmatched, and his durability in a four-man rotation meant he was constantly taking the ball and finishing games.

Ryan wasn’t always efficient—but he was always dangerous.

No pitcher made hitters more uncomfortable.

Nolan Ryan Highlights

2) Jim Palmer

Jim Palmer was the leader of one of the greatest pitching staffs in baseball history—the Baltimore Orioles of the 1970s.

Winning 20 games in eight of nine seasons, including three straight seasons leading the league in wins, Palmer was the definition of dominance and consistency. He didn’t just win—he controlled games from start to finish.

Palmer combined strong mechanics, intelligence, and poise into a style that frustrated hitters. He didn’t need overwhelming velocity—he needed execution.

And he executed better than almost anyone.

Pitching in an era loaded with talent, Palmer stood out because he consistently delivered at a high level while leading a championship-caliber rotation.

He wasn’t just part of greatness—he led it.

Jim Palmer Highlights

1) Tom Seaver

Tom Seaver is the gold standard.

Nicknamed “Tom Terrific,” Seaver defined what it meant to be a complete pitcher in the 1970s. Even while pitching for teams that hovered around .500, he never posted a losing season in his first 15 years.

That’s not luck—that’s dominance.

Seaver led the league in strikeouts five times, ERA three times, WHIP three times, and consistently ranked among the best in every major category. His mechanics were nearly flawless, his command elite, and his competitiveness unmatched.

He wasn’t just winning—he was elevating everyone around him.

His no-hitter in 1978 with Cincinnati only added to a legacy that already placed him among the all-time greats.

Seaver didn’t just define the 1970s.

He defined excellence.

Seaver’s Best Moments