September 29, 1951

At Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, Don Newcombe becomes the first black to win twenty games in a season. In a must win for the Dodgers, the right-hander bests Robin Roberts, also a 20-game-winner, blanking the Phillies, 5-0.

September 12, 1959
En route to 21-15 season with the Giants, 33-year old Toothpick Sam Jones throws a four-hitter against Philadelphia to become the second black major leaguer to win twenty games. In 1955, the right-hander from Ohio lost twenty games pitching for the Cubs.

October 3, 1965
Cardinal right-hander Bob Gibson goes the distance, beating Houston at the Astrodome, 5-2, to become a 20-game winner for the first time. The future Hall of Famer will win twenty games four more times in the next five seasons.

September 25, 1965
Mudcat Grant throws a one-hitter to beat the Senators at D.C. Stadium, 5-0, becoming the first black player in the American League to win twenty games. Don Blasingame’s third-inning double spoils the 30-year old right-hander’s bid for a no-hitter.

September 6, 1967
In Detroit, Tiger right-hander Earl Wilson throws a complete game to earn his 20th victory of the season beating the A’s in the nightcap of a twin bil, 6-3. The 32-year old Louisianian will compile a 22-11 record along with an ERA of 3.27 helping to keep the second-place club in the pennant race until the final day of the season.

September 27, 1967
Ferguson Jenkins posts the first of his six 20-game win seasons when the Cubs beat the Reds at Crosley Field, 4-1. The Canadian right-hander will lead the American League with 25 victories after Chicago deal the future Hall of Famer to the Rangers in 1974.

September 24, 1971
Al Downing becomes a 20-game winner when he blanks the Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, 2-0. The Dodger left-hander, best remembered for giving up Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run, will compile a 123-107 record during his 17-year major league career.

August 7, 1971
A’s southpaw Vida Blue, en route a to 24-8 record in his first full year in the major leagues, becomes a 20-game winner when he goes the distance blanking the White Sox, 1-0. The only run of the scores on balk committed by Joe Horlen in the sixth inning of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum contest.

October 2, 1976
Four years prior to the stroke that ends his career, 26-year old J.R. Richard becomes a twenty game winner on the last day of the season when he tosses a complete game in the Astros’ 10-1 victory over San Francisco. James Rodney also enjoys a big day at the plate going 3-for-4, including a two-run home run.

September 16, 1980
En route to 22-9 record with the second-place A’s, Mike Norris gets his 20th victory when Oakland beats Texas at Arlington Stadium, 4-2. The 25-year old right-hander will compile 58-59 career mark during his ten years in the major leagues with Oakland.

August 25, 1985
At the age of 20 years, 9 months, 9 days, Dwight Gooden becomes the youngest 20-game winner ever when the Mets beat San Diego at Shea Stadium, 9-3. Doc is 27 days younger than former Indian hurler Bob Feller, who accomplished the feat with Cleveland in 1939.

September 30, 1987
Dave Stewart becomes a 20-game winner when the A’s beat Cleveland at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 4-3. The thirty-year old right hander, who spent the first decade of his career in the bullpen, will also earn twenty or more victories in the next three seasons.

September 7, 2005
Dontrelle Willis becomes the first pitcher in the thirteen-year history of the Marlins to win 20 games in a season when the team routs Washington at RFK Stadium, 12-1. The high-kicking southpaw had established a franchise record for victories in his last start with his 19th win.