There was a time when it seemed like Jacob deGrom’s career in Major League Baseball might never truly take off due to recurring injuries. The man who once turned heads as a college shortstop from Stetson University had all the raw tools to become a generational talent on the mound, but his body often failed to cooperate with his ambitions. Yet on a sunny Sunday afternoon, wearing a Texas Rangers uniform, deGrom reminded everyone just how special he is.

Jacob deGrom etched his name into the history books once again, becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,800 strikeouts. And he didn’t just break the record one way—he shattered it by two separate measures. It took him just 1,492 innings to accomplish the feat, beating the previous mark of 1,498 innings held by Chris Sale. Even more impressively, deGrom did it in only 240 career games, surpassing Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who needed 243 games to hit the same milestone.

Though the Texas Rangers ultimately lost the game to the Seattle Mariners and deGrom was hit around a bit after setting the milestone, it didn’t dampen the magnitude of his achievement. The focus of the day was on a remarkable journey—one that saw deGrom go from an unheralded college infielder to the best pitcher in baseball, only to be derailed by injury time and time again, and then, against all odds, return to reclaim his place among the game’s elite.

deGrom’s early years with the New York Mets were nothing short of spectacular. He emerged in the mid-2010s as a force to be reckoned with, winning back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. His fastball routinely hit triple digits, and his slider was a nightmare for hitters. But even as he dominated opposing lineups, his career was being gradually slowed by injuries.

The 2021 and 2022 seasons were particularly frustrating for deGrom and Mets fans alike. He missed more than half of each season with various ailments, casting doubt on whether he would ever be the same again. Despite flashes of brilliance when he was able to take the mound, the interruptions in his playing time created a sense of uncertainty.

That uncertainty only grew when he signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers before the 2023 season. Critics questioned whether Texas was taking too big of a gamble on an aging pitcher with a history of injuries. And when deGrom managed only six starts in 2023 and just three more early in 2024, the skeptics seemed vindicated.

But then, something changed. In 2025, Jacob deGrom began to look like Jacob deGrom again.

This season, the 6-foot-4, 37-year-old flamethrower has already made more starts than in any season since 2019. His earned run average is under 3.00, and he earned a well-deserved selection to the All-Star Game, solidifying his return to ace status. Perhaps most impressively, his stuff has not diminished with age. He’s still throwing 99 mph fastballs, his slider still sits in the low-90s, and batters continue to swing and miss at rates that would make any younger pitcher jealous.

Baseball is a sport that reveres its legends, and deGrom is rapidly carving out a legacy that will one day belong in Cooperstown. What makes his journey so compelling isn’t just the numbers—though they are certainly eye-popping—but the sheer resilience and determination he has shown in getting back to the top.

To understand how remarkable his achievement is, consider the context: most pitchers who reach 1,800 strikeouts do so after many years of relative health and consistency. deGrom, by contrast, has had to battle back from long stints on the injured list, rehab assignments, and the mental toll that comes with repeated setbacks. To do all that and still beat legends like Chris Sale and Randy Johnson to 1,800 strikeouts is nothing short of astounding.

And it’s not just his raw numbers that have made him a fan favorite. Teammates and coaches rave about his work ethic and quiet intensity. He doesn’t showboat, he doesn’t chase headlines—he simply takes the ball and dominates.

The Rangers organization knew what they were getting when they signed deGrom, but few could have predicted this kind of resurgence. In a season where Texas is looking to make serious noise in the postseason, deGrom’s return to form could be the X-factor that makes all the difference.

Now paired with fellow aces Nathan Eovaldi and the newly acquired Merrill Kelly, Texas boasts one of the most formidable starting rotations in the American League. With deGrom leading the way, October could look very bright for the Rangers.

As for deGrom himself, he’s not interested in talking legacy just yet. After the game, he was typically understated in his response to the record. “It’s cool,” he said. “But the focus is on winning games. We’ve got a good team here, and I just want to do my part.”

That humility, combined with his otherworldly talent, is why Jacob deGrom remains one of the most respected players in the league. He is a reminder of how perseverance, skill, and a relentless drive can overcome even the most daunting challenges.

For baseball fans, seeing deGrom back in dominant form is a gift. For the Texas Rangers, it’s a potential ticket to the World Series. And for deGrom himself, it’s a vindication of every hard day, every lonely rehab session, and every ounce of faith he’s had in himself.

The strikeouts will keep coming, the radar gun will keep lighting up, and Jacob deGrom will continue to defy the odds—one pitch at a time.