<P> Walter Johnson holds the career shutout record with 110 . The most shutouts pitched in one season was 16 , which was a feat accomplished by both Pete Alexander ( 1916 ) and George Bradley ( 1876 ) . In the dead - ball era and throughout much of the first three - quarters of the twentieth century , starting pitchers were generally expected to perform complete games , and starting pitchers would throw dozens of complete games a year -- thereby increasing a pitcher 's chances of achieving a shutout . These shutout records are among the most secure records in baseball , as pitchers today rarely earn more than one or two shutouts per season with the heavy emphasis on pitch counts and relief pitching . Pitchers today will often pitch only a few , if any , complete games a season . In 2009 , five pitchers tied the National League with only two shutouts , and in 2003 , 2004 , 2006 , 2007 , 2008 , 2010 and 2015 , the American League leaders also only had two shutouts . </P>
<P> Walter Johnson holds the career shutout record with 110 . The most shutouts pitched in one season was 16 , which was a feat accomplished by both Pete Alexander ( 1916 ) and George Bradley ( 1876 ) . In the dead - ball era and throughout much of the first three - quarters of the twentieth century , starting pitchers were generally expected to perform complete games , and starting pitchers would throw dozens of complete games a year -- thereby increasing a pitcher 's chances of achieving a shutout . These shutout records are among the most secure records in baseball , as pitchers today rarely earn more than one or two shutouts per season with the heavy emphasis on pitch counts and relief pitching . Pitchers today will often pitch only a few , if any , complete games a season . In 2009 , five pitchers tied the National League with only two shutouts , and in 2003 , 2004 , 2006 , 2007 , 2008 , 2010 and 2015 , the American League leaders also only had two shutouts . </P>
who has the most shutouts in mlb history
who has the most shutouts in mlb history
Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson