Unless there is a severe change in strategy I don't see it happening. With the pitch count being watched so closely these days and most starters being pulled after 6 innings, it may be awhile before we see another 3,000 strikeout pitcher much less 5,714. You also have to take into consideration the longevity of Ryan and the fact that he was a unique physical specimen. He's in his early 60s now and he went out with a local radio station within the last year. They clocked him in the low 80s.

In order to achieve this, Ryan averaged about 212 strikeouts per season over 27 years. He averaged 1.06 strikeouts per inning. For another pitcher to top this, he'd have to not only peform on the same advanced level, but would also have to have an extended career that would place him in the top five in innings pitched. Keep in mind that number two and three on the all-time strikeout list, Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens, have about 1,000 less Ks than Ryan. The only youthful pitcher currently in baseball who has over 2,000 career Ks is Javier Vasquez (31), and the only other active pitchers besides Johnson with over 3,000 career Ks are John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez, and both are nearing the end of the line. So, that 5714 figure is pretty astounding.

Amazing! How many career walks did he have tho?

Its conceivably breakable, but unlikely given current managerial strategies.

With 6 innings being regarded as a "quality start" these days, and the increased likelihood of injury to power pitchers (who dominate this stats category)over the nibblers, this looks likely to stand for several decades.

That bad-ass hick could bring the heat. . .indeed, this one isn't going down with pitchers going 6-7 innings as the norm. . .

a pitcher would have to average 300 strikeouts a year for over 19 years to break this record. this one is untouchable.