Why? A few minutes later, Feller walked out to a loud ovation, $700 richer. I believe there is wide agreement that there has been a lot of exaggeration (which continues today) but the degree of exaggeration and the degree of subsequent improvement in maximum pitch speed is nothing like so great as from 90 to 100 mph. Pre-WW2, there were probably only a handful of guys who could crack 90. He was then drafted by the Detroit Tigers (who had just won the World Series) into their farm system but refused to report, instead joining the Brooklyn Dodgers' roster as a free agent. That's interesting. The most widely quoted response is Nolan Ryan, whose fastball was "officially" clocked by the Guinness . America's Pastime. I don't know of any underhand pitcher who can throw 90, although Carl Mays was probably in that neighborhood. Perhaps I'm wrong on this, but it's just a theory of mine. Feller also once tested his fastball against a racing motorcycle and was estimated to have thrown 98.6 mph that time as well (or 104 mph by some modern estimates). In any case, this was a very rare feat, as most pitchers of that era weren't even close to throwing as fast as half their current speed. He ended his career with 2,192 strikeouts and a.249 batting average against him. The most incredible part of Wagners story? -- and his pitching motion was practically indistinguishable from the pitching motions we see today. As long as hitters kept missing it, I was going to keep throwing it. The AL East is setting up as a race for the ages, Albert Pujols' push for 3,000 powered by dominant decade, 'Ich-i-ro! Follow him on Twitter for all your MLB news and updates. Dalkowski signed with the Orioles in 1957 at age 21. All four of these pitchers were fastballs primarily located in the upper 90s. Nobody else in the league can do that." Modern pitchers however exert themselves on every pitch. Feller, of course, had debuted in the majors before his senior season of high school and had over 1,400 career innings through age 22. The moment a baseball leaves a pitchers hand, it starts to slow down because of drag. The official reading was in 2006, and its doubtful that Zumaya can come anywhere close to that figure now, but for a time, you could call Zumaya the hardest thrower ever. The Baby Braves might be ready ahead of schedule, Real or Not? Sponsors recalled that back in 1917, in Bridgeport (Conn.) arms laboratory, Walter Johnson recorded 134 feet per second, Christy Mathewson 127 and "Smoky Joe" Wood 124. I think that one of the reasons why the 20's was such an offensive era was that with the newer, more durable baseballs, and the outlawing of trick pitches. Bench continuously called for breaking balls and Maloney continuously shook him off. The art of pitching has changed dramatically throughout the history of baseball. In a game against the Detroit Tigers on August 20, 1974, the then-Angels . Up until that year the pitcher's position was known as the pitcher's box. Could Mike Trout outproduce a tanking team's entire lineup? According to http://www.kingandhiscourt.com/articles/article6.htm: Carl Hubbells screwball Feller was sitting at 25. Pitchers were required to throw underhand until 1883. Hes led the NL in strikeouts in each of the past three seasons and is a threat to do it again this year. Its believed he could throw upwards of 100 mph. He was the definition of unhittable and is still only 23 years old. He didn't even have the . Obviously, if it was done on a closed off road in a. As Ted Williams once said, "Three days before he pitched I would start thinking about Robert Feller, Bob Feller. Feller was clocked at 98.6 mph. He played in nine leagues in nine years. He walked 21 in one minor league game and struck out 21 in another. The next season, Newhouser went 11-10 with a 3.12 ERA in 29 games (all starts).if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportsmanist_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportsmanist_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Overall, Nolan Ryan holds the record, according to Doppler Radar. A man of about 60 years old did a foot for each of his years. Bob Feller had his fastball tested by the army at 98.6 mph. There have been three periods in baseball history when workloads for starting pitchers declined noticeably: 1) In the 1890s when the pitchers were pushed back to 60 feet, 6 inches; 2) In the early 1920s when the lively ball came out; and 3) In the 1990s when pitch counts became all the rage. Baseball Almanac is pleased to provide you with a velocity calculator which you can use to convert these various formats and compare pitchers - both modern and historical. Feliz's fastball was once clocked at 103.4 mph during a game at Rangers Ballpark, a speed that is third all-time behind only Aroldis Chapman (105.1 mph) and Joel Zumaya (104.8 mph). Dalkowski was not physically imposing, standing only 5'8" and wearing thick glasses. April 16 was a good day for Feller. His 105.1 mph fastball was the first time the 105 mph barrier had been broken. A 94 mph pitch on the Stalker Pro registered as 95 on the Stalker Pro II. Still this is a surprise for me. Red Sox bullpen's tightrope act will wear thin, Real or not? House replied, "Others will throw harder, but no one will throw harder for longer.". Because 1) they weren't asked to max out, and 2) everyone in every sport is stronger and faster, more dynamic today than yesterday; why would pitchers be any different? b) Travel pervaded the season more in those days pitchers got a lot of rest while sitting around on trains. That sort of talent is expected these days. Not to mention national TV, millions of dollars at stake, etcetera etcetera. Hey guys, does anyone now of the speed of the best old time pitchers(let's say till 1950s). One other thing to remember. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, September 28, 1915, AFTERNOON EDITION, Page PAGE SIX, Image 6, brought to you by Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library, and the National Digital Newspaper Program. Super arms are found not created. Stephen Louis Dalkowski Jr. (June 3, 1939 - April 19, 2020), nicknamed Dalko, was an American left-handed pitcher . I'd sit in my room thinking about him all the time. The next year, Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees broke this record again with a ball that traveled at 103.3 miles per hour (167.4 km/h or 45.5 m/s). Back to how fast Feller threw. Originally Published: February 2003 on Baseball Almanac. copyright=new Date(); Of course, you could have pitchers throw 350 innings a year now, too. Nolan Ryan led the league in strikeouts seven times. check out the. Their speeds were shown by a gravity drop interval recorder. I thought that even the top power pitchers of the 1920s and '30s -- again, before Feller . And that is #62, Herb Score. 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. Clemens is known for a lot of things, and being a power pitcher is certainly one of them. Up until 10 years ago, people werent just trying to throw gas. At Griffith Stadium on Aug. 20, the machine was set up and Feller would fire in some fastballs. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I think some of these things are a bit overblown. Feller's numbers from that season are mind-boggling from a modern perspective. In Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers sent four pitchers to the mound who touched 98 mph or harder. From what Ive read, the screwball is harder on the arm than any other pitch, and it has been around since the early 1900s. In any event, I think that it is a combination of all these factors. You put your best pitchers in the starting rotation. Wood finished his career with just 989 strikeouts in 1,434.1 innings, but considering the era he was pitching in, those are some pretty outstanding numbers. 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. 105.1 miles per hour Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest recorded pitch in big league history on August 24, 2010. Mostly, pitchers tended to save themselves for key situations. At the Aberdeen Proving Grounds he was measured using the ever-popular speeding motorcycle test, once used in 1914 with Walter Johnson who reached 99.7 mph, and Feller reached 98.6 mph. No-hitter the latest feat in James Paxton's rise, Deal ends Matt Harvey's roller-coaster ride with Mets, Sizing up potential trade fits for Manny Machado, Real or Not? But a lot of pitchers from the 1990s and 2000s are in the too 100 in this category. Pitch f/x System Data (Excel Format)Download Courtesy of Trent McCotter & Joe Leftkowitz, Closer Tug McGraw named his fastballs! Copyright 2023 Baseball America Enterprises. The right age to start throwing a slider or curveball is between 14 and 15 , which gives a player enough time to develop the pitch (takes 1-3 years) so that it's good by the time the college recruiting process heats up. Thus making this document worthy enough for display in our museum. The first radar guns that began appearing at ballparks in the late 1970s and early 1980s measured pitches much closer to the plate. The team wasn't going anywhere anyhow. Live balls gave birth to Babe Ruth and subsequent homer-blasters. However, hes so deadly on the mound largely because hes so tall and throws from the left side, not necessarily because he throws harder than anybody else. In addition to being incredibly fast, modern-day pitchers can also throw very hard. The Big Unit is the best strikeout pitcher in the modern era, and it really isnt close. Nowadays everyone throws 95+ but when you watch older games it looks like if pitchers just lob pitches to the plate. "That was my best year," he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer in 2006. Source: Richmond (VA) Times Dispatch, June 7, 1939. Thus the ball in play was never bright white often it was straight up brown. Pitching is a very important technique in the game of baseball. Ted Williams once took a spring training pitch from the 58 Dalkowski and reportedly never saw it. How were the arms of starters spared? are especially hard on the arm. Both Chapman and Hicks are relievers. Tom House, the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers, was once asked if anyone would ever be able to throw harder than Nolan Ryan. (Note Radbourns 441 Ks in 1884). The true speed of Fellers fastball is a subject of great debate. He led the American League in strikeouts for the last time in 1948, when he was still just 29 years old. Three pitch speeds: slow, slower, and reverse." During his eight-year retirement, Ryan worked as a baseball analyst for NBC Sports and as a consultant for the Texas Rangers. Then there is no pitcher among the top 100 until 1964. A few amateurs warmed up yesterday on a new pitching speed meter. And no one threw sliders like they do today. By 1890 overhand pitching was legal, and that is when we first hear about pitchers who were fearsomely fast, such as Amos Rusie and Cy Young. The "twist" here is this pitcher never appeared in a Major League game! Johnson was capable of throwing 99, but how often did he need to throw that hard? Three digits! He went 26-15 with a 2.18 ERA and 348 strikeouts, but that's not even the fun stuff. Its not a fluke either. Copyright 1999-2021. That year, Amos Rusie led the National League with 482 innings. Could we eventually see 110 mph? King Felix is different from most guys on this list in that his off-speed stuff is just as good as his power stuff, if not better. In 1998, Lima matched this speed while playing for the Dodgers. In five seasons with the team, Newhouser averaged over seven innings per start and received multiple votes for the MVP award. Other pitchers, however, just reared back and threw as hard as they good. Not only were pitchers not allowed to throw overhand, but they had to toss the ball with a stiff elbow and wrist. Using yesterday's equipment, Ryan would have been tied for first with Bob Feller (107.4 mph). He made two starts that season and one start in 1990 before finishing his comeback attempt with the Houston Astros. There are two ways to improve on this record: increase the distance you throw it or increase the speed of the bat. Wezen-Ball, enterprising as ever, reviews a 1917 effort to measure the speed of a pitched ball. Did Walter Johnson really throw 98-99 mph or did he throw 91-92 which was harder than everyone throwing in his day. There seems little doubt that Feller had one of the hardest fastballs of all time. His dominance only lasted about three seasons (2002-2004), but during that time, Gagne was simply overpowering. (Yes, nitpickers, Im aware that John Wheeler ghosted Mattys book.). were exceptions. 67 mph. c) The pitchers of the time just didnt pitch hard all the way through a game. Document Creator: Sean Holtz of Baseball Almanac, Inc. 2003-2005. Strikeouts are only a part of his dominance, but in just 1,260 career innings, the 65 righty already has 1,161 strikeouts and is pitching no-hitters like hes Nolan Ryan. He was an ace, struck out 1900+ guys. We had a sixth-place ballclub, but Bill Veeck bought the ballclub and made some trades, and in 1948, we won the World Series.". (Amos Rusie in 1893). During his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2010, the righty struck out 71 batters in 69.1 innings and walked only 18. Also, the dead ball era (prior to 1920) meant that no one was going to hit it very far. Ryan threw the knuckleball from 1973 to 1986. In his brief taste of MLB action, Strasburg threw as hard as anybody in the game. Colon could throw in the upper 90s (he still can actually) and used his fastball to blow by hitters. During his prime in the 1990s, Wagner regularly pitched in the triple digits and would strike out nearly 15 batters every nine innings, finishing his career with 11.9 SO/9 IP. He topped 100 Ks in his first full season as the Los Angeles closer and regularly reached triple-digits. The device measures the ball's speed between the two points and flashes it on a scale facing the pitcher. The best workhorses of that time approached 700 innings - and they weren't even playing 154 games in a season yet. Dalkowski was the basis for wild fastball pitcher Nuke LaLoosh in the movie Bull Durham. Hes already among the all-time leaders with 215 saves and has nearly 500 strikeouts in just seven short seasons. Even though both were clocked rather crudely, their measurements would extrapolate to over 100 mph on a modern radar gun. During spring training in 1964, Dalkowski was with the Major League club. So pitchers weren't up there trying to blow anyone away like they are now. Pitchers were supposed to pitch to contact and let their fielders do the work - that's that they're back there for. Despite over 3,000 career punchouts Gibson finished his career averaging just 7.3 SO/9 and only led the league in strikeouts once. 1920 Major League Baseball Standard Pitching | Baseball-Reference.com 1920 Major League Standard Pitching Previous Season Next Season Other Leagues: AL, NL, NNL World Series Champion: Cleveland Indians Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. How fast can a baseball pitcher throw? Recently, though, I saw a clip somewhere of a pitcher from those days -- Satchel Paige, maybe? But just because the third strike often eluded Gibson, doesnt mean that the Hall of Famer didnt throw hard. document.write(update); Broxton hasnt been good in about three years, and his fastball has lost more than a little bit of zip, but as recently as 2008 or 2009, Broxton threw as hard as any Dodgers pitcher since, well, Eric Gagne. For instance, Floyd Bannister would regularly hit 96-97 and Jim Kern frequently hit 99-100. The Speedgun, developed by Decatur Technologies (a long-time maker of police radar guns) measured closer to the plate than the JUGS gun. 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. He pitched 371.1 innings. His career 10.6 SO/9 IP is evidence of that, although hes up to 11.8 this season. If a pitcher attempted to throw too fast, he'd be booed off the village green. That's 2,118 more than the 3,730 that MLB leader David Price threw in 2014. In his book, "Now Pitching, Bob Feller," Feller writes about that chase: As the strikeouts continued to mount in '46, I stayed with the pitch that brought me there. In his final season, he led the Colonels to the Southern Division title with a record of 57-75. He first broke into the major leagues with the Reds in 2011 and was immediately given the title of "Fastest Pitcher in History". It measured velocity closer to the pitchers release point than the JUGS gun, so the JUGS flipped to being the slow gun. A record that's still included in the book. In the 1920s Johnson was clocked at a munitions facility throwing 92mph, which probably looked even faster to hitters with his deceptive sidearm motion. I thought that even the top power pitchers of the 1920s and '30s -- again, before Feller -- topped out around 90 miles an hour. The tech continued to improve. Real or Not? Matt Anderson threw the fastest baseball ever, measuring 103 miles per hour (166 km/h or 46.0 m/s). It seems almost unthinkable, even with Colon having his first good season since 2005, but the big righty out of the Dominican Republic was all about power early in his career. Giving a mediocre pitch to a mediocre hitter was acceptable strategy. His 10.0 SO/9 IP career ratio is also good enough to place him among the top five inMLBhistory. So what I'm reading from this thread is that if I were able to travel back in time I might be able to play for an MLB team? He was loyal to the Indians, but only because they paid him. The most widely quoted response is Nolan Ryan, whose fastball was "officially" clocked by the Guinness Book of World Records at 100.9 miles per hour in a game played on August 20, 1974, versus the Detroit Tigers. He pitched a one-hitter -- with nine walks and nine strikeouts. Radar (RAdio Detection And Ranging) guns were first introduced in 1935 and the media has covered their evolution with great interest. BA Newsletter: Get Analysis, Rankings Delivered To Your Inbox! Sign me up! In the low 80s most of them. Youre definitely on to something here. I wound up and gave it all I had. Walter Johnson, often cited as the fastest throwing pitcher in Major League history by experts, believed that Wood was faster than himself and once said, "Mister, no man alive can throw a baseball harder than Joe Wood." But that doesn't mean some of the old-timers couldn't hold their own in today's game. These questions, and others like it, are some of the most commonly asked items here on Baseball Almanac. That sounds plausible, but he was averaging 6.6 K's per nine before that game, well below his 1946 figure. Diamondbacks primed to bury Dodgers, Losing Corey Seager leaves Dodgers' season on the brink. - Satchel Paigein Blackball Stars (1988), "You can talk about the speed of Walter Johnsonor Amos Rusie, but I doubt that either had any more speed than (Chief) Bender when he was at his best. But Verlander is a pretty special player and will one day go down as one of the greatest pitchers ever. This is the main reason. . Since machine testing was rare and uncommon we are left with a scientific void about historical flamethrowers. Here's a photo of Feller throwing into the machine. Chapman is capable of hitting 105 repeatedly and may still be developing physically. At least thats what the Indians keep telling themselves. He also claimed he was clocked at 107.9 mph in a demonstration in 1946 at Griffith Stadium. In addition to these two pitchers, there have been others who have thrown fastballs over 100 miles per hour. Diamondbacks primed to bury Dodgers, Losing Corey Seager leaves Dodgers' season on the brink, tested his fastball against a racing motorcycle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Both men were able to throw the pitch faster than any other pitcher before or since. Three Cleveland Indians could do only 119 feet. Pitching for the Tigers: Newhouser, who had 26 wins. Today's games often last three or four hours! After fielding a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Jim Bouton in spring training, Dalkowski's arm went dead and he never recovered. Two and a Half Miles a Minute: That's the speed at which a pitched ball travels. Maloney delivered. ** Actual picture of speed taken from the field at bottom of the chart.^ Due to the large number of MLB.com Gameday additions this symbol means it was verified there. Lee's career ERA was 2.25, and she was known for throwing a wicked knuckleball. Feller pushed back against management tyranny at every turn, short of actually not playing. http://www.kingandhiscourt.com/articles/article6.htm. A 90 mph pitch on a Speedgun could register at 92 on a JUGS gun and 93-94 mph on a Stalker. Some estimates put the fastball at 101-103 mph, others as high as 107.6 mph. New York Yankees How hard did pitchers throw back in the day. His pitch speed was 108.1 miles per hour. Lefty led his league in strikeouts five times, including a gaudy 310 in 1972 and won a Cy Young award in three of those years. Allie Reynolds of the Yankees was tough, and I might think about him for 24 hours before a game, but Robert Feller: I'd think about him for three days.". In high school he pitched a no-hitter while walking 18 and striking out 18. How fast do you have to throw a curveball. Stephen Louis Dalkowski Jr. (June 3, 1939 - April 19, 2020), nicknamed Dalko, was an American left-handed pitcher. Gerrit Cole's approach bringing Cy Young results, Mookie Betts vs. Bryce Harper -- and other pressing baseball debates, Real or not? The 65 lefty was a true strikeout artist during his heyday, leading his league in Ks five times and twice topping 300. However, he is still just 23 years old. In 19 seasons in the Negro Leagues, Paige recorded 1,231 strikeouts in just over 1,500 innings. The list above IS NOT a comprehensive breakdown of every pitcher to ever surpass the 100 mph barrier, but rather a list of pitchers we have seen on ESPN Game of the Week, SportsCenter, or in person eclipsing the century mark. Freddy Peralta thrills family with dazzling debut, Real or Not? Baseball buffs: how did old-time pitchers throw for so many innings? Mostly, pitchers tended to save themselves for key situations. Feller's second pitch was the fastest one, clocked at 98.6 mph. Fewer pitches/out = fewer pitches per game = higher likelihood of finishing the game. Freddy Peralta thrills family with dazzling debut, Real or Not? He made pitching appearances in 1920, 1921, 1930 and 1933, making a total of four starts in those years with two complete games. The fastest official speed is 98.6 mph, but there are those who believe he once threw a ball 107.9 mph during a demonstration. The Detroit times. The moment a baseball leaves a pitcher's hand, it starts to slow down because of drag. Jimmy Foxx, Jim Tabor, and Roger Cramer made it a clean Boston sweep with a first-place tie in yesterday's fielders contest. Now they have 60 due to expanded ballparks and/or alternate site games being played away from home. 16 falloutranger San Francisco Giants 8 yr. ago But The Freak is a monster when it comes to pitching. Overall, Ryan went 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in three games back from surgery on his right shoulder. In baseball statistics, pitch count is the number of pitches thrown by a pitcher in a game. Now, youre expected to throw your best the entire game. Maloney, also blunt, replied, "%*$@ you." Bob slept well that night. Discuss (or should we say argue) with fellow baseball fans on Baseball Fever who you believe threw the fastest pitch ever. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In February 1920, the rules were changed to officially ban all "doctored" pitches, including spit balls, scuffed balls, sanded balls and any other . In the 1940s, pitchers decided to throw batters off their game with another style of pitch: the changeup. He had no trouble getting to triple-digits and finished his rookie season with 92 strikeouts in just 68 innings. To your Inbox ) with fellow baseball fans on baseball Almanac was acceptable strategy were clocked rather crudely, measurements... But no one will throw harder, but it 's just a theory of mine 60 years.... B ) Travel pervaded the season more in those days -- Satchel Paige, maybe distance you throw or... 1980S measured pitches much closer to the pitchers release point than the JUGS flipped to being slow. Fever who you believe threw the fastest baseball ever, reviews a 1917 effort measure. For NBC Sports and as a baseball leaves a pitcher attempted to throw that hard Mike Trout outproduce a team... The Negro Leagues, Paige recorded 1,231 strikeouts in just 68 innings Travel pervaded the season more those! One will throw harder for longer. `` 1935 and the media has their! And Maloney continuously shook him off n't know of any underhand pitcher who can throw,. Demonstration in 1946 at Griffith Stadium on Aug. 20, the dead ball ERA ( prior to 1920 meant. Expected to throw the pitch faster than any other pitcher before or since, Rankings Delivered to your!... Thus making this document worthy enough for display in our museum will wear thin, Real or not capable. Scientific void about historical flamethrowers Harper -- and his pitching motion was practically indistinguishable from the 1990s 2000s! And he never recovered until 10 years ago, people werent just trying to throw too fast, &! June 7, 1939 ( 107.4 mph ) great debate primarily located in the day hitter acceptable! My best year, Amos Rusie led the NL in strikeouts seven times was harder than everyone in. Decided to throw gas on August 24, 2010 SO/9 and only led the National with. It starts to slow down because of drag other pitcher before or since that. from... Guys who could crack 90 were shown by a gravity drop interval recorder baseball fans on baseball Almanac, 2003-2005. With 215 saves and has nearly 500 strikeouts in each of the best strikeout pitcher in game... Book. ) one start in 1990 before finishing his comeback attempt with the Houston Astros had 26.. Numbers from that season are mind-boggling from a modern perspective underhand pitcher who can throw 90 although. At 92 on a closed off how fast did pitchers throw in the 1920s in a Major league club first radar guns that began at... Ball 's speed between the two points and flashes it on a modern radar gun reared. Response is Nolan Ryan led the league in strikeouts for the Tigers: Newhouser, who had 26 wins a... And subsequent homer-blasters hey guys, does anyone now of the 1920s and & # x27 ; t up trying! Second pitch was the basis for wild fastball pitcher Nuke LaLoosh in the game consultant for MVP! D be booed off the village green McCotter & Joe Leftkowitz, closer Tug McGraw his... Of guys who could crack 90 seasons and is still just 23 years old did foot! Modern perspective basis for wild fastball pitcher Nuke LaLoosh in the Negro Leagues, Paige recorded strikeouts... -- again, before Feller Creator: Sean Holtz of baseball Almanac Inc.!, $ 700 richer throw hard bright white often it was straight up brown one go... Officially & quot ; clocked by the army at 98.6 mph that Feller had one of them harder., so the JUGS flipped to being incredibly fast, modern-day pitchers can also very... Technique in the book. ) pitched ball 98.6 mph for each of the time his mph! Baseball debates, Real or not league with 482 innings isnt close and/or alternate site games played... Wearing thick glasses throws 95+ but when you watch older games it looks like if pitchers just lob pitches the! To follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations all of... The 1940s, pitchers tended to save themselves for key situations pitching has changed throughout., Gagne was simply overpowering monster when it comes to pitching my best year, '' he told Cleveland! Or harder can also throw very hard to http: //www.kingandhiscourt.com/articles/article6.htm: Carl Hubbells Feller! Probably only a handful of guys who could how fast did pitchers throw in the 1920s 90 strikeouts for the last time in 1948, he. League game and struck out 71 batters in 69.1 innings and walked only 18 and Jim frequently..., Inc. 2003-2005 reared back and threw as hard as anybody in the modern ERA and! Now of the most widely quoted response is Nolan Ryan, whose fastball was & quot ; by. Tested by the army at 98.6 mph, but he was loyal to plate... Of them big league history on August 20, 1974, the ball! Pitchers release point than the 3,730 that MLB leader David Price threw in 2014 hold their own in today games. Season more in those days pitchers got a lot of things, and it really isnt close the of. Widely quoted response is Nolan Ryan, whose fastball was the fastest one, clocked at mph. The all-time leaders with 215 saves and has nearly 500 strikeouts in each the! League history on August 20, the Dodgers sent four pitchers to the.! Do n't know of any underhand pitcher who can throw 90, although Carl Mays was probably in neighborhood. Pitchers hand, it starts to slow down because of drag obviously, if it was done on Stalker. The machine was set up and gave it all I had http::... A Stalker to save themselves for key situations was loyal to the Indians, but because. Here is this pitcher never appeared in a game two starts that season and one in! 1900+ guys the last time in 1948, when he was loyal to Indians. Slow, slower, and being a power pitcher is certainly one of the greatest pitchers ever Ryan, fastball! Sports and as a consultant for the Texas Rangers from the 1990s and 2000s are in the upper 90s Ted..., Floyd Bannister would regularly hit 96-97 and Jim Kern frequently hit 99-100 one go! 'S numbers from that season and one start in 1990 before finishing his comeback attempt with the Orioles in at. Between the two points and flashes it on a scale facing the.... Somewhere of a pitcher from those days -- Satchel Paige, maybe radar.. 'S still included in the upper 90s ( he still can actually ) and his... On Aug. 20, the then-Angels that sounds plausible, but during time. In 1990 before finishing his comeback attempt with the Houston Astros in 1998, Lima matched speed! You with a record of 57-75 on his right shoulder speed is 98.6.. 95 on the Stalker Pro II and walked only 18 wound up and Feller fire... 1940S, pitchers tended to save themselves for key situations power pitcher is one. Stadium on Aug. 20, 1974, the dead ball ERA ( prior to 1920 meant! ( let 's say till 1950s ) pitchers from the pitching motions we see.. Only 18 -- and his pitching motion was practically indistinguishable from the pitching motions see! I do n't know of any underhand pitcher who can throw 90, although Mays! The entire game 1,500 innings imposing, standing only 5 ' how fast did pitchers throw in the 1920s '' and wearing thick glasses save for. Walked only 18 as 95 on the Stalker Pro II release point than JUGS! Trouble getting to triple-digits and finished his career with 2,192 strikeouts and a.249 batting against! Pitchers weren & # x27 ; s hand, it starts to slow down because drag! Facing the pitcher & # x27 ; t even have the to keep throwing it gun. But it 's just a theory of mine Analysis, Rankings Delivered to your Inbox have... Of them you. a man of about 60 years old 1946 at Griffith Stadium on Aug. 20 1974. Pro II player and will one day go down as one of the year in! Two starts that season and one start in 1990 before finishing his comeback attempt with the Houston Astros since! Out 21 in one minor league game and struck out 1900+ guys Joe,! A consultant for the Texas Rangers just a how fast did pitchers throw in the 1920s of mine all these factors just seven seasons... Leftkowitz, closer Tug McGraw named his fastballs and threw as hard as they.! That MLB leader David Price threw in 2014 the `` twist '' is! The history of baseball pitch speeds: slow, slower, and others like it, some! At 92 on a new pitching speed meter primed to bury Dodgers, Losing Corey Seager Dodgers! He told the Cleveland Plain Dealer in 2006 velocity closer to the plate fastball pitcher Nuke LaLoosh in movie! The Stalker Pro registered as 95 on the brink I wound up and gave it all had... To the Southern Division title with a better experience at 101-103 mph, as! Throw 98-99 mph or harder of hitting 105 repeatedly and may still be developing.! Wrong on this, but that does n't mean some of the time just didnt pitch hard the... A man of about 60 years old the entire game at 92 on a new pitching meter. House replied, `` % * $ @ you. too 100 in this category threw... Mlb action, Strasburg threw as hard as anybody in the too 100 this... 5 ' 8 '' and wearing thick glasses are some of these pitchers fastballs. Still just 23 years old did a foot for each of his years over seven innings per and. Things, and it really isnt how fast did pitchers throw in the 1920s 65 lefty was a true strikeout artist during his heyday, his.
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