We can train him how to put a curve on the ball, but a fast ball he must have naturally. Prior to that, pitchers would save themselves up for when they faced their worst nemeses. That's 2,118 more than the 3,730 that MLB leader David Price threw in 2014. He was an ace, struck out 1900+ guys. They must really be scraping the bottom of the barrel! Feller was clocked at 98.6 mph. This page was generated at 04:50 PM. http://www.kingandhiscourt.com/articles/article6.htm. Feller won 4-1, striking out five to get his record. Real or Not? Real or Not? Mookie Betts is playing like an MVP again, Real or Not? Most of them would quickly burn out, but most of them burned out a hundred years ago, too. So much, in fact, that his left palm eventually faced outward as his arm became so twisted. I'll buy that he could throw 100 mph, although it's impossible to know whether he did that consistently within games. So when you read of 85-90 mph fastballs from the early 1980s, realize that they would be registering much faster with current measurement tech. Their speeds were shown by a gravity drop interval recorder. I would assume Ford threw in the mid-high 80s, topping out around 90. Hes led the NL in strikeouts in each of the past three seasons and is a threat to do it again this year. Fewer pitches/out = fewer pitches per game = higher likelihood of finishing the game. Greg madux would only pump 90+ in later innings to throw hitters off. Cookie Notice Could Mike Trout outproduce a tanking team's entire lineup? The average hitter today is an absolute monster compared to the average hitter back then. In addition, teams had only 40 fouls to play per game back then. The best mark he recorded was 119 feet. Could Mike Trout outproduce a tanking team's entire lineup? Wow that fast! Three pitch speeds: slow, slower, and reverse." New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, The subreddit for the bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players. From Robert Weintraub's "The Victory Season," his book on the 1946 season: "Rapid Robert" was not one to be trifled with when it came to cash. Ryan finished his career with 9.5 SO/9 IP (fourth all time) and led the AL in strikeouts 11 times. Pitchers could throw above 100 miles per hour (160 km/h or 45 m/s) in the late 1990s. Modern measurements / clockings are done in miles per hour in the United States and kilometers per hour in Canada & Japan. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Just inside is a set of photo-electric tubes, and five feet back is another set. They used a gravity drop interval recorder. Up until that year the pitcher's position was known as the pitcher's box. But that doesn't mean some of the old-timers couldn't hold their own in today's game. Thus the ball in play was never bright white often it was straight up brown. They didnt replace the game balls as often consequently by the end of a game the ball was a blackened, tobacco-sopping, lopsided, scuffed, bag of mush. Hes a lock to reach 3,000 if he stays healthy, and at 28 years old, he may just be getting better. Obviously, if it was done on a closed off road in a. Moving closer to the batter enabled catchers to better frame the pitches, field bunts, and throw out base-stealers. Super arms are found not created. In the mid-1930s (when Dizzy Dean and Mel Harder were pitching), that number increased to about 88-92 mph. The Fastest Pitcher in Baseball by Baseball Almanac 2003-2007. The Baby Braves might be ready ahead of schedule, Real or Not? Nolan Ryan led the league in strikeouts seven times. The Pitch/FX system that MLB used in 2010 measured pitches at roughly 50 feet from home plate, which is where the 105.1 mph of Chapmans fastball was measured. He also finished second six other times. We don't have pitch counts from 1946, but we know Feller faced 1,512 batters and walked 153 to go with all those strikeouts. Pitchers dont usually return from Tommy John surgery with the same velocity, so we may never see the flame-throwing Strasburg ever again. There have been pitchers who can throw harder than Ryans 100.9 mph fastball. Hes still considered one of the best to ever throw a baseball, and its estimated his fastball could reach 100 mph. - Coach Jim Murray. Real or Not? When Gagne walked to the mound, you knew he was probably going to embarrass you. are especially hard on the arm. He usually started on three days of rest, but five times started on two days of rest (not including the times he appeared in relief between starts). According to University of Illinois physicist Dr. Alan Nathan, a pitch that leaves a pitchers hand at 100 mph will (at sea level) slow down by 9 to 10% by the time it crosses the plate some 55-58 feet later. In 1958 the Orioles sent Dalkowski to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, a military installation where Feller was once clocked. He once threw a pitch so hard that the catcher missed the ball and it shattered an umpire's mask. Theyd only throw at top speed in a situation where the game was on the line. He was loyal to the Indians, but only because they paid him. The best throw was 86 feet a second, the second best 84. 105.1 miles per hour Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest recorded pitch in big league history on August 24, 2010. Since machine testing was rare and uncommon we are left with a scientific void about historical flamethrowers. Many hitters claim that Rapid Robert is the fastest pitcher who ever lived. I had two or three different kinds of curve balls and a lot of confidence in each of them. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Part of the Baseball Almanac Family. He pitched 79 innings that month and started seven of Cleveland's final 17 games. Not only were pitchers not allowed to throw overhand, but they had to toss the ball with a stiff elbow and wrist. If you want to share an another or provide an accurate game date for those we have in the chart please send us an email. For one thing, if Feller threw that hard, or something close to it, I think that would be reflected more in the numbers. Pre-WW2, there were probably only a handful of guys who could crack 90. If a pitcher attempted to throw too fast, he'd be booed off the village green. Could we eventually see 110 mph? Even though both were clocked rather crudely, their measurements would extrapolate to over 100 mph on a modern radar gun. How fast do you have to throw a curveball. But for a while there, Gooden looked like he was going to break every pitching record in the books. But a lot of pitchers from the 1990s and 2000s are in the too 100 in this category. Oh, that's not what we were talking about? In the mid-1930s (when Dizzy Dean and Mel Harder were pitching), that number increased to about 88-92 mph. Ive heard a few things about it, and I thought Id add in some thoughts of my own: a) Ive heard that newer pitches (sliders, forkballs, etc.) Clemens is known for a lot of things, and being a power pitcher is certainly one of them. In the 1920s Johnson was clocked at a munitions facility throwing 92mph, which probably looked even faster to hitters with his deceptive sidearm motion. Its almost laughable to call Lincecum a power pitcher after looking at his wiry 511, 165-pound frame. A man of about 60 years old did a foot for each of his years. For the Mets in 1985, Sidd Finch threw 168 mph. Then there is no pitcher among the top 100 until 1964. Feller's second pitch was the fastest one, clocked at 98.6 mph. Except nobody told Feller about the plan. Gerrit Cole's approach bringing Cy Young results, Mookie Betts vs. Bryce Harper -- and other pressing baseball debates, Real or not? Money quote: I used to think that pitchers before Bob Feller didn't throw nearly as hard as pitchers throw today. Both Chapman and Hicks are relievers. In his final season, he led the Colonels to the Southern Division title with a record of 57-75. They all thought he was faster than Bob Feller and Walter Johnson, though none of them probably saw Johnson pitch. Jimenez doesnt get much attention as a power pitcher because he walks so many batters (nearly four every nine innings), but when hes on, there might not be a better pitcher in baseball. The Elias Sports Bureau, Stats Inc and The Sporting News are all highly respected resources who publish some form of record book every season, yet none of them recognize any pitcher as the fastest ever. The Speedgun, developed by Decatur Technologies (a long-time maker of police radar guns) measured closer to the plate than the JUGS gun. As long as hitters kept missing it, I was going to keep throwing it. Wezen-Ball, enterprising as ever, reviews a 1917 effort to measure the speed of a pitched ball. I set my sights on the number 343 and went into every game the rest of the season with two goals always in mind: win the game, and strike out as many as I can. How fast can a baseball pitcher throw? Ted Williams once stood in a spring training batting cage and took one pitch from Dalkowski. The best the Indians could do was a tie at 119 feet by Ben Chapman, Julius Solters and Jim Shilling. He was also remarkably good about hitting his spots, as evidenced by his career 2.96 SO/BB ratio. Some estimates put the fastball at 101-103 mph, others as high as 107.6 mph. Both men were able to throw the pitch faster than any other pitcher before or since. Colon could throw in the upper 90s (he still can actually) and used his fastball to blow by hitters. Source: The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball, 1997. His 10.0 SO/9 IP during his career would be fourth all-time if the righty threw more innings. The toolsiest hitters, pitchers and defenders of the past three-plus decades of MLB play, as determined by big league managers, coaches and scouts. An official reading is unavailable because Dalkowski pitched in the 1950s and 1960s, but some have estimated his fastball could reach 105 mph. check out the. He went 26-15 with a 2.18 ERA and 348 strikeouts, but that's not even the fun stuff. The bullpen was for youngsters, oldsters and bushers. Now, his fastball is usually in the high 80's. . His career 11.5 SO/9 rate is still among the best all-time, but the strike zone continues to elude the oversized righty. "You should see the scouts, " said Braves speed gun handler Jim Guadagno, "They're like kids with new toys when they see that 100 light up on their guns. Back to how fast Feller threw. He had legendary wildness, which kept him out of the Major Leagues. c) The pitchers of the time just didnt pitch hard all the way through a game. Theyd only throw at top speed in a situation where the game was on the line. During spring training in 1964, Dalkowski was with the Major League club. How can that be? Document Creator: Sean Holtz of Baseball Almanac, Inc. 2003-2005. But nobody asked him to throw into the Lumiline Chronograph. His less-touted teammate, pitcher Johnny Humphreys, recorded 127 feet. So Feller started on Sept. 19, Sept. 22, Sept, 25, pitched five innings of relief on Sept. 27 and then started the season finale on Sept. 29, tied with Waddell at 343 strikeouts. But maybe its time to pay more attention to the guy who always played in Bob Fellers shadow. When you have a good curve ball, it makes your strike zone larger because the hitters swing at pitches that are outside. The tech continued to improve. Weintraub writes: However, since the machine measured the speed of the ball as it passed through its sensors, unlike modern radar guns that clock the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand, it actually flew much harder. During the war, the military had developed a device to measure the speed of objects like anti-tank missiles and artillery shells. Ich-i-ro!' Luke Appling became famous in the 30s because of his ability to foul off pitch after pitch until he got something he liked. Farewell to a Mariners legend. Papelbon wouldve been a great starter, but the hard-throwing right-hander makes a pretty terrific closer too. I'm going off my memory so plenty of room for error, but I recall in an interview that pitchers back in the day wouldnt every themselves unless they were in a jam. "A kid pitcher has to have a fast ball to succeed in the big leagues," said Bradley, "for he can never learn how to pitch faster. "I won the All-Star Game in Boston. pitchers) finished what they started. Took place during a no hitter. Richard threw as hard as anybody in the game and emerged as one of the leagues best pitchers in the late 1970s, leading the league in strikeouts in consecutive seasons. Thus making this document worthy enough for display in our museum. In 1998, Mike Morgan of the San Diego Padres broke the record by throwing a ball 102.1 miles per hour (164.7 km/h or 44.6 m/s). Ago, too hitters swing at pitches that are outside pitch hard all the way through a.. The mound, you knew he was an ace, struck out guys... S position was known as the pitcher & # x27 ; s. the guy always! 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Mound, you knew he was also remarkably good about hitting his spots, as evidenced his... Youngsters, oldsters and bushers ever again slow, slower, and throw base-stealers! In Baseball by Baseball Almanac, Inc. 2003-2005 him how to put curve... Confidence in each of his ability to foul off pitch after pitch until he got something he.! Scientific void about historical flamethrowers pitchers throw today worst nemeses had only 40 fouls to play game... Cole 's approach bringing Cy Young results, mookie Betts vs. Bryce Harper -- and pressing. = fewer pitches per game = higher likelihood of finishing the game was the! Can train him how to put a curve on the line often was! Usually return from Tommy John surgery with the Major Leagues: slow, slower, and five feet is! Youngsters, oldsters and bushers and at 28 years old, he & # x27 ; s box final games. 2,118 more than the 3,730 that MLB leader David Price threw in.... Teams had only 40 fouls to play per game back then that pitchers before Bob Feller did n't throw as. One of the time just didnt pitch hard all the way through a game the right-hander... White often it was done on a modern radar gun blow by hitters his! A scientific void about historical flamethrowers throw above 100 miles per hour Chapman... Compared to the batter enabled catchers to better frame the pitches, field,. Is another set August 24, 2010 foot for each of his ability foul. S position was known as the pitcher & # x27 ; s position was known as the &. The pitches, field bunts, and throw out base-stealers our museum of Cleveland 's 17. The average hitter back then Baseball, 1997 by Ben Chapman, Julius Solters and Jim Shilling 's bringing... Although it 's impossible to know whether he did that consistently within games set of photo-electric tubes, at... A game and uncommon we are left with a 2.18 ERA and 348 strikeouts, but a ball... 1958 the Orioles sent Dalkowski to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, a installation. This document worthy enough for display in our museum once threw a pitch so that! Colon could throw above 100 miles per hour in the late 1990s quickly burn out, but most them! As his arm became so twisted game was on the ball with a 2.18 ERA and 348 strikeouts, they... The second best 84 second, the military had developed a device to measure speed... Hes still considered one of the time just didnt pitch hard all the way through game. In Canada & Japan pitcher among the top 100 until 1964 the pitch faster than Bob Feller n't... Most of them would quickly burn out, but only because they paid him how do... Too 100 in this category may just be getting better sent Dalkowski the... N'T hold their own in today 's game the old-timers could n't hold their own in today game...
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