Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gerrit Cole

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gerrit Cole made an impact.

Gerrit Cole is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Yankees in MLB. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Cole was drafted by the Yankees in 2008 out of Orange Lutheran High School but chose to attend UCLA, playing college baseball for the Bruins, before eventually entering the major leagues.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 8, 2019: Cole Strikes Out 14+ Hitters for Third Consecutive Game

On September 8, 2019, which was his 29th birthday, Gerrit Cole became only the second pitcher ever to strike out 14 or more hitters in three consecutive games.

September 18, 2019: Cole Reaches 300 Strikeouts

On September 18, 2019, Gerrit Cole became the 18th pitcher in major league history to strike out at least 300 batters in a single season.

September 24, 2019: Cole Breaks Astros Single-Season Strikeout Record

On September 24, 2019, Gerrit Cole struck out 14 batters to break the single-season strikeout record for any Astros pitcher, bringing his total to 316 on the year. He also allowed only two singles in his appearance of seven scoreless innings.

September 29, 2019: Cole Sets MLB Record with Consecutive 10+ Strikeout Outings

On September 29, 2019, Gerrit Cole set a Major League Baseball record with his ninth consecutive outing with at least 10 strikeouts.

December 16, 2019: Cole Signs with Yankees

On December 16, 2019, Gerrit Cole signed a franchise-record nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees, which was the largest contract total in major league history for a pitcher at the time.

December 18, 2019: Yankees sign Gerrit Cole to a record contract

On December 18, 2019, Gerrit Cole signed a franchise record nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees, the largest ever for a pitcher at the time. The contract included an opt-out clause after five years and had an average annual value of $36 million.

July 23, 2020: Gerrit Cole makes Yankees debut

On July 23, 2020, Gerrit Cole made his debut as a starting pitcher for the Yankees on Opening Day. He threw 5 innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing one hit.

August 4, 2020: Major League record since last loss

Through August 4, 2020, Cole's 242 strikeouts marked a Major League record since his last loss.

August 26, 2020: Cole's winning streak ends

On August 26, 2020, Gerrit Cole's regular-season winning streak of 20 games came to an end with a loss against the Atlanta Braves.

September 11, 2020: Cole throws a complete game shutout

On September 11, 2020, Gerrit Cole ended his 3-game losing streak by throwing a 2-hitter complete game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles.

September 29, 2020: Cole makes Yankees Playoff debut

On September 29, 2020, Gerrit Cole made his Yankees playoff debut in Game 1 of the wild card series against the Cleveland Indians. Cole struck out 13 batters and became the first Major Leaguer in history to win three postseason games with 12 or more strikeouts.

December 4, 2020: Cole elected to MLBPA's Executive Subcommittee

On December 4, 2020, Gerrit Cole was elected to the MLBPA's Executive Subcommittee.

May 12, 2021: Cole notches 1,500th career strikeout

On May 12, 2021, Gerrit Cole achieved his 1,500th career strikeout, becoming the second-fastest pitcher to reach this milestone.

October 4, 2022: Cole sets Yankees strikeout record

On October 4, 2022, Gerrit Cole surpassed Ron Guidry for the Yankees franchise record for strikeouts in a season, recording his 249th strikeout against the Texas Rangers.

July 10, 2023: Cole named All-Star Game starting pitcher

On July 10, 2023, Gerrit Cole was selected as the starting pitcher for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, marking the first time a Yankees starting pitcher had this honor since 2001.