Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Bert Blyleven was a baseball oddity. Whether it was racking up 215 strikeouts and surrendering 50 homers in the same 1986 season (try explaining that one to your grandkids), or tossing a shutout with more curveballs than a mystery movie, Bert was a statistical anomaly wrapped in a Hall of Fame arm. Chris Berman even coined a nickname for the Dutch hurler: Bert “Be Home” Blyleven (By Eleven). Here are 10 moments that prove Blazing Bert was one of the game’s most dominant—and delightfully oddball—pitchers.
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3,701 Strikeouts: Bert Joins the Immortals’ Club
This image is from when Bert hit the all-important 3,000 strikeout mark, a number that put him among the best pitchers in history. He kept going, finishing with 3,701, placing him fifth on the all-time K list.
The No-Hitter in 1977—Fans Still Talk About It
On September 22, 1977, Bert delivered every pitcher’s dream: a no-hitter. It was ironic that he did it against the King of No-Hitters himself, Nolan Ryan, and the California Angels. The gem capped a great season for the Rangers, but it was for naught, as they finished second behind the Royals in the American League West. Postseason glory, however, was just around the corner for Blyleven.
287 Career Wins: Longevity Anyone Would Envy
Watching Bert pitch over the course of his 287 career wins was like a time machine. We saw him go through a number of changes in uniforms, hairstyles (and facial hair), and even ballpark dimensions. If you loved baseball in the ’70s and ’80s, you probably saw Bert on the mound, chewing up and spitting out innings and hitters like sunflower seeds.
World Series Heroics: 1979 Pirates’ October Magic
“We Are Family” blared from boomboxes as Blyleven spun gold on the mound in the 1979 World Series. His clutch pitching helped the Pirates erase a 3–1 deficit against the Baltimore Orioles and claim baseball’s ultimate prize. After coming up short in the 1977 division race with Texas, this championship was sweet validation.
Three Times Leading the League in Shutouts—Mr. Zeroes
In an age before the bullpen-by-committee, Bert was the guy you handed the ball to and didn’t expect to see again until the ninth. He led the league in shutouts three different times, which meant a lot of opposing hitters were saying, “Let’s get ’em tomorrow.”
60 Career Shutouts: The Art of the Complete Game
Blyleven seemed to have an allergy to letting runners score. Over the course of his career, he authored 60 shutouts, completely silencing the opposition from the first pitch to the last. That’s not just dominance; that’s a level of stubbornness bordering on legendary.
15 Strikeouts in a Single Game—A Bert Masterclass
Ironically, this was the same game that he passed 3,000 strikeouts. He made Oakland hitters look silly all game … and they had to see the scoreboard flash the congratulatory message. Talk about a long day.
AL Comeback Player of the Year, 1989: Bert’s Late-Career Renaissance
Most pitchers fade quietly, but Bert roared back in 1989 with the California Angels, earning AL Comeback Player of the Year. Underneath his prank-happy personality beat the heart of a competitor, and he came back from injury to earn his award.
Top 10 All-Time in Strikeouts—A List for Legends
Bert finished his career in the top 10 for all-time strikeouts—a fraternity reserved for the very best. That’s not an accident: it’s the result of a curveball that dropped out of sight and a competitive fire that never dimmed.
2011 Hall of Fame Induction: The Ultimate Validation
After years of being baseball’s best-kept secret, Bert finally got the call to Cooperstown in 2011. His stats—sometimes quirky, always dominant—made the case loud and clear: Bert Blyleven deserved his plaque on the walls of Cooperstown, right alongside the other immortals of the game.