Steve Carlton (b. December 22, 1944) is one of baseball’s most dominant left-handed pitchers, enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1994.
Early Years & Breakthrough Signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963, Carlton made his MLB debut in 1965. While flashes of brilliance showed, it wasn’t until a midseason trade in 1972 that he truly flourished.
Peak with the Phillies After joining the Philadelphia Phillies, Carlton won four Cy Young Awards (1972, 1977, 1980, 1982) and led the National League in wins five times. His devastating slider and pinpoint control helped him amass 329 career victories and a then–lefty record 4,136 strikeouts.
Championship & Milestones Carlton played a pivotal role in the Phillies’ first-ever World Series title in 1980. He led the league in ERA twice and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in wins and strikeouts.
Later Career & Legacy After stints with the White Sox, Athletics, Expos, and Twins, Carlton retired in 1988. His No. 32 was retired by the Phillies, and his approach to pitching—combining endurance, strategy, and an unhittable slider—set the standard for generations of southpaw aces.
