ST. LOUIS — The Doubleday Baseball League proudly recognizes veteran right-hander Marty Bystrom of the St. Louis Cardinals, who etched his name in the record books by securing his 235th career victory, surpassing former mark-holder Bill Gullickson (234).
The historic win came before an electric crowd at Busch Stadium, which erupted into chants of “Two-thirty-five!” as Bystrom took the mound and closed out another chapter in a remarkable career that has spanned nearly two decades.
“It’s hard enough just to win a single baseball game,” Bystrom said afterward, reflecting on the milestone. “This one was especially tough with all the pressure and attention. I’m grateful to every teammate, coach, and fan who’s been part of those 235 wins.”
Over his illustrious 17-year DBL career, Bystrom has been a model of consistency and endurance. Originally debuting with Toronto in 1980, he went on to star for Montreal and Detroit before joining St. Louis in 1996. Known for his command, workhorse durability, and quiet competitiveness, Bystrom has logged 3,900.1 innings, 2,162 strikeouts, and a 3.95 career ERA, earning a 66.6 WAR and a lifetime 108 ERA+.
Among his most dominant seasons were:
- 1985 (Montreal) – 20–7 record, 3.61 ERA, 5.4 WAR
- 1992 (Detroit) – 19–8 record, 3.31 ERA, 5.5 WAR
- 1989 (Montreal) – 15–13 record, 3.73 ERA, 13 complete games
Now in his age-37 season, Bystrom continues to perform at a high level, boasting an 11–6 record and 3.97 ERA for St. Louis this year.
From his early days in Toronto to his resurgence with Detroit and now St. Louis, Marty Bystrom’s name stands among the game’s greats — a testament to perseverance, skill, and the art of pitching in the Doubleday Baseball League.
Career Totals (DBL):
- Games Started: 537
- Wins: 235
- Losses: 203
- ERA: 3.95
- Innings Pitched: 3,900.1
- Strikeouts: 2,162
- Complete Games: 107
- WAR: 66.6
The Doubleday Baseball League congratulates Marty Bystrom, the league’s new All-Time Wins Leader, on this extraordinary achievement.