The Greatest Left Handed Pitchers of All Time
Who is the best MLB left handed pitcher ever? This list includes pitchers in the Hall of Fame as well as those who have not yet been inducted, but are truly great. It also includes players from all eras of baseball. They are responsible for coming in during crucial situations and preventing runs. This list has been ranked by baseball fans with the best Major League left handed pitchers of all time.
Major League Baseball is America’s pastime and from its pastoral beginnings, through to its professional urban setting today, it has always captured the imaginations and hearts of fans. Baseball is a game many Americans played as kids, and for that reason it always holds a special place in the American zeitgeist. Opening day each spring is something many baseball fans count down to all year long.
The best left handed pitchers of all time on this list include players such as Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn, and Sandy Koufax. The best left handers ever in Major League Baseball are all supremely talented at getting batters out in all situations. Through their careers these best starting pitchers helped their teams jockey for post-season position and win games.
Vote up the best left handed pitchers of all time or add the lefty pitcher you think is the best to have ever played if he isn't already on the list.
- 1Pitcher
Sandy Koufax, also known as "The Left Arm of God," dominated the mound for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955-1966. With a blazing fastball and a devastating curveball, Koufax left batters bewildered and etched his name in history by throwing four no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1965. Widely regarded as one of the most dominant pitchers to ever play the game, Koufax's impact on baseball can still be felt today.
- 2Starting pitcher, Pitcher
This tall, lanky powerhouse nicknamed "The Big Unit" was a force to be reckoned with during his career from 1988-2009, as he struck fear into the hearts of opposing batters while playing for several teams, most notably the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. Randy Johnson not only possessed an overpowering fastball that regularly reached triple digits but also had a lethal slider that left batters swinging at air. Johnson's dominance on the field has made him an icon of the sport and a legend among left-handed pitchers.
- 3Pitcher
Crafty and cunning, Steve Carlton utilized his vast repertoire of pitches to carve out a spectacular career for himself as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies from 1965-1988. Carlton's signature slider, dubbed by some as "The Slurp," was considered among the most unhittable pitches in history, leaving hitters visibly flustered and frustrated. This southpaw's unparalleled skill and precision cemented his legacy as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all time.
- 4Starting pitcher, Pitcher
Warren Spahn's blend of masterful command and unwavering determination made him one of the most consistent and reliable pitchers in MLB history during a career that spanned from 1942-1965. With a smooth, high leg kick and a deceptive delivery, Spahn baffled hitters as a member of the Boston/Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets. The crafty left-hander's impact on the sport can still be seen today in the next generation of southpaw pitchers seeking to emulate his success.
- 5Pitcher
Clayton Kershaw, an unstoppable force for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2008, has been dazzling fans with his unrelenting consistency, pinpoint accuracy, and seemingly unhittable curveball. Kershaw's arsenal includes a knee-buckling breaking ball and a devastating slider that keep opposing batters off balance and guessing. His impact on the game is far from over, and his name will forever be synonymous with excellence among left-handed pitchers.
- 6Starting pitcher, Pitcher
As a key component of the Atlanta Braves' dominant pitching staff throughout the 1990s, Tom Glavine consistently demonstrated poise and control on the mound. His ability to paint the corners of the plate with his signature changeup made him nearly unhittable. Glavine's lasting impact on the game is evident in the countless pitchers who have sought to emulate his crafty approach and deceptive style.
