With tonight's win over the Texas Rangers, James Shields pushed his all-time strikeout total to 1001. Here's an exhaustive list of pitchers who have accrued at least 900 strikeouts while playing for the Rays or Devil Rays:
↵1) James Shields
↵Yeah, not only is Shields the first Rays pitcher to cross into 1000 strikeout territory, he's the first to hit even 900. Granted, Shieldsy is the 423th pitcher to get 1000 Ks, and some of the people on the list include the forgettable careers of Sidney Ponson and Glendon Rusch (whom I actually really like).
↵As for Rays history, though, Shields stands alone. Only Scott Kazmir, with 874 strikeouts as a Ray comes close. Fun note: Ol' Kid K (still only 27 years old) is now at 993 career strikeouts -- that's one less than Shields entering today.
↵Kaz has hit seriously rough waters since the Rays traded him. And though he intends to continue pitching, he has only an outside chance at breaking 1000.
↵So, congrats to Shields and good luck to Kazmir!