On June 7, 1983, Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies surpasses Nolan Ryan in the all-time strikeout chase. Carlton’s third-inning punch-out of St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lonnie Smith gives him a career total of 3,522, overall he fans six batters in a 2 – 1 loss to St. Louis to bring his career total to 3,526. Ryan strikes out three San Francisco Giants while getting no-decision in the Houston Astros’ 4 – 2 win, leaving him with 3,525.
In May, Carlton had moved past Walter Johnson for the all-time lead in major league strikeouts.