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Baseball fans have always adored the pitchers who could spin punches. And the hitters have become less interested in making contact and more concerned about reaching the fences (inception runs always pay more than singles), strikeout rates have increased steadily with each decade throughout the 20th century.

The biggest jump in the average number of strikeouts per 9 innings pitched among all major league pitchers was in the 1960s, when the average per 9 entries rose to 5.47 strikeouts (compared to 4.38 in 1950). That's more than a strikeout per 9 innings better than the previous decade … the most dramatic increase in strikeouts for any decade.

This increase in strikeouts was, no doubt partly due to the raised pitcher's mound and enlarged strike zone that prevailed during the decade mot 1960. But it is equally likely that the increase was due to pitching talent 1960 … launchers same group that has released more major league ERA (3.60) of any decade since the introduction of the ball "live" in 1920.

The 1960s appears only strikeout pitchers largest of any decade of baseball. Top 10 are recognized in the ranking Thi. These are the pitchers who faced some of the best power hitters in major league history Baseball, more batters and sent back to the dugout with his bat dragging than any generation before pitching them.

Half of the pitchers who make up this list (Koufax, Gibson, Bunning, Drysdale, Marichal) are currently in the Hall of Fame. Had I played more years for better equipment, McDowell, Tiant Lolich and might well have had a shot at Cooperstown. They were without doubt one of the most dominant pitchers of the decade.

1. -The left-hander Sandy Koufax the Dodgers averaged 9.51 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched during the 1960s, the highest average among all major league pitchers from that decade. Koufax finished 3rd in total strikeouts 1910s, but retired after the 1966 season.

2. Bob Gibson – With a total of 2,071, Bob Gibson recorded most strikeouts during the 1960s than any other pitcher. He averaged 7.62 strikeouts per 9 innings and struck out 200 or more batters in a season than 7 times during the 1960s, while leading the National League only once (1968).

3. Sam McDowell – most proficient strikeout pitcher in the American League during the 1960s, "suddenly" Sam finished just behind Koufax average strikeouts per 9 innings with 9.41. He led the American League in strikeouts 4 times during the 1960s (as in 1970), and topped 300 strikeouts in a season twice.

4. Jim Maloney – The right of the Reds 1585 Cincinnati batters struck out during the 1960s, an average of 7.92 strikeouts per 9 innings. From 1963 to 1966, Maloney average of 234 strikeouts per season, while who won 78 games for the Reds.

5. Bob Veale – This 6.6 lefty won 100 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1960s, including 18 victories in 1964, when he led the NL in strikeouts with 250. Veale struck out 1428 batters during the 1960s, an average of 7.98 strikeouts per 9 innings (3rd best among all pitchers).

6. Jim Bunning – Bunning is the only member of this list for each league lead in strikeouts. As a member of the Detroit Tigers, won American League with 201 in both 1959 and 1960 and the Philadelphia Phillies, Bunning National League leader in strikeouts with 253 in 1967.

7. Don Drysdale – Drysdale leader National League in strikeouts twice in 1960 (and 1959), for a total of 1,910 strikeouts in the early tie for 3rd with teammate Sandy Koufax. Drysdale averaged 6.54 strikeouts per 9 innings during the 1960s.

8. Mickey Lolich – The leader of all time strikeouts for the Detroit Tigers, Lolich registered a total of 1336 strikeouts during the 1960s, an average of 7.87 strikeouts per 9 innings for the decade. In 1969, averaged 8.69 strikeouts per 9 innings.

9. Juan Marichal – The winningest pitcher in the decade of 1960 (191), Juan Marichal struck out 200 or more batters in a season 6 times. The accumulated a total of 1,840 strikeouts decade, with an average of 6.49 strikeouts per 9 innings.

10. Luis Tiant – Although launched only 6 seasons during the 1960s, all with the Cleveland Indians, Tiant struck out 1041 batters during the decade. He averaged 7.81 strikeouts per 9 innings, 6 half times highest among major league pitchers in the 1960s.

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