What Was The Fastest Pitch In Baseball History

What Was the Fastest Pitch in Baseball History? A Deep Dive into Speed, Science, and the Future of Pitching

Introduction:

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the electrifying speed of a perfectly thrown baseball – these are the elements that make baseball so captivating. But amidst the strategy, the finesse, and the power hitting, one question consistently sparks debate and wonder: what was the fastest pitch ever thrown in Major League Baseball history? This isn't just a trivia question; it's a testament to human athleticism, the advancements in technology used to measure speed, and the ongoing evolution of pitching techniques. This comprehensive guide delves into the history of speed pitching, explores the science behind a fastball, examines the record-breaking pitches, and looks toward the future of this exhilarating aspect of the game. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer power and precision these incredible athletes possess.

1. The Evolution of Speed Measurement in Baseball:

Before the days of radar guns, judging the speed of a pitch was a subjective affair, relying on the estimations of umpires and the keen eyes of experienced players. Early accounts of exceptionally fast pitches often relied on anecdotal evidence and lacked the quantifiable data we have today. The introduction of radar guns revolutionized this process, providing accurate measurements and enabling the meticulous tracking of pitch velocities. This technological advancement paved the way for a more precise understanding of pitching speed and allowed for the official recognition of record-breaking feats. Early radar guns had limitations, leading to some discrepancies in early recordings. However, the technology has improved significantly, offering extremely accurate readings with minimal margin for error.

2. Understanding the Physics Behind a Fastball:

A seemingly simple throw, the fastball is a complex interplay of physics and athleticism. The speed of a pitch is determined by a number of factors, including the pitcher's arm strength, release point, throwing mechanics, and the grip used on the ball. The spin rate also plays a crucial role, influencing the ball's movement and trajectory. A higher spin rate can create more movement, potentially making the pitch even more difficult for the batter to hit. Biomechanics, the study of human movement, plays an increasingly significant role in optimizing pitching techniques and increasing pitch velocity. Understanding these intricate factors helps explain the variance in pitch speeds even among elite pitchers.

3. The Contenders for the Fastest Pitch Ever Recorded:

While several pitchers have claimed the title of "fastest ever," the record is typically attributed to Aroldis Chapman. Chapman's recorded pitch speeds have consistently shattered the boundaries of what was previously considered possible. While exact speeds vary slightly depending on the radar gun used and the environmental conditions, Chapman's pitches have frequently exceeded 105 mph (169 km/h). This is a truly remarkable feat, highlighting his exceptional arm strength and refined pitching technique. However, it's important to note that several other pitchers have come very close to breaking Chapman’s record, and the pursuit of the ultimate fastball remains an ongoing challenge in baseball. Analyzing these near-record pitches reveals a fascinating trend towards improved training methods and a deeper understanding of biomechanics.

4. The Impact of Pitching Speed on the Game:

The speed of a pitch is more than just a statistic; it significantly impacts the game's dynamics. A fastball that surpasses 100 mph presents an almost insurmountable challenge for even the most skilled hitters. The reaction time required to effectively hit such a pitch is incredibly short, giving batters little chance to make solid contact. This speed advantage can lead to strikeouts, weak contact, and ultimately, victories for the pitching team. The effect isn't just physical; the psychological pressure exerted by a consistently high-velocity pitcher can be devastating to the opposing team's morale.

5. The Future of Fastball Speed: Technology and Training:

The pursuit of faster pitches is unlikely to end anytime soon. Advancements in training techniques, biomechanics analysis, and sports science continue to push the boundaries of what's humanly possible. Improved strength and conditioning programs, alongside tailored pitching mechanics, are designed to maximize velocity while minimizing the risk of injury. Further technological advancements may even lead to the development of new training tools and techniques that help pitchers achieve even greater speeds. While there are discussions about the potential risks of excessive velocity to both pitchers and batters, the pursuit of greater speed remains a significant aspect of modern baseball.

Article Outline:

Name: What Was the Fastest Pitch in Baseball History?

Introduction: Hooking the reader with the excitement of fastballs and overview of the article's contents.
Chapter 1: Evolution of speed measurement in baseball – from subjective estimations to advanced radar technology.
Chapter 2: The science of fastballs – exploring the physics, biomechanics, and factors influencing pitch speed.
Chapter 3: Record-breaking pitches – examining Aroldis Chapman's achievements and other contenders for the title.
Chapter 4: Impact of pitching speed on the game – its influence on batting performance and game strategy.
Chapter 5: The future of fastball speed – exploring advancements in training, technology, and potential risks.
Conclusion: Summarizing key findings and looking forward to the ongoing pursuit of faster pitches.

(Detailed explanation of each point is already provided in the main article above.)

FAQs:

1. Who holds the official record for the fastest pitch in MLB history? While records vary slightly depending on the source, Aroldis Chapman is generally credited with the fastest pitch ever recorded.

2. What is the average speed of a Major League fastball? The average speed is typically in the mid-90s mph (around 145-150 km/h).

3. How is the speed of a pitch measured? Radar guns are used to precisely measure the speed of a baseball as it crosses home plate.

4. What factors contribute to the speed of a pitch? Arm strength, release point, throwing mechanics, grip, and spin rate all play a crucial role.

5. What are the risks associated with throwing extremely fast pitches? The risk of injury to the pitcher's arm and shoulder is significantly increased with higher velocities.

6. How has technology influenced the measurement and understanding of pitching speed? The development of radar guns and biomechanics analysis has revolutionized the way pitching speed is tracked and understood.

7. Are there any rules or regulations regarding the speed of pitches? There are no specific rules limiting pitch speed, but the potential for injury is a concern.

8. How does pitching speed affect a batter's performance? Extremely high speeds drastically reduce a batter's reaction time and make hitting much more difficult.

9. What are the future trends in pitching speed and training? We can expect continued advancements in training techniques, sports science, and technology to push the boundaries of pitching velocity.

Related Articles:

1. Aroldis Chapman's Career: A Statistical Analysis: A deep dive into Chapman's pitching statistics, highlighting his dominance and record-breaking speeds.

2. The Science of Baseball Pitching: A Biomechanical Perspective: An exploration of the physics and biomechanics behind different pitching styles and their effect on velocity.

3. The Evolution of Baseball Technology: From Wooden Bats to Radar Guns: Tracing the technological advancements that have shaped the game of baseball, with a focus on pitch speed measurement.

4. Injury Prevention in Baseball Pitchers: A Comprehensive Guide: Discussing strategies and techniques for reducing the risk of injuries related to high-velocity pitching.

5. The Impact of Pitching Speed on Hitting Statistics: Analyzing the correlation between pitching speed and key batting metrics like batting average and strikeouts.

6. Comparing Pitching Speeds Across Different Eras in Baseball History: A comparative analysis of pitching speeds across different decades to highlight the changes and advancements in the sport.

7. The Psychological Impact of Facing a High-Velocity Pitcher: Exploring the mental aspect of facing pitchers known for their exceptional speed.

8. Top 10 Fastest Pitches Ever Recorded in MLB History: A list of the fastest pitches ever thrown in MLB, with descriptions of the pitchers and context for the pitches.

9. Future Trends in Baseball Training and Technology: Exploring the advancements and innovations likely to influence the game of baseball in the coming years, including pitch speed development.

what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball's Fastest Pitcher Bill A. Dembski, Alex Thomas, Brian Vikander, 2020-10-27 Gripping and tragic, Dalko is the definitive story of Steve “White Lightning” Dalkowski, baseball’s fastest pitcher ever. Dalko explores one man’s unmatched talent on the mound and the forces that kept ultimate greatness always just beyond his reach. For the first time, Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball’s Fastest Pitcher unites all of the eyewitness accounts from the coaches, analysts, teammates, and professionals who witnessed the game’s fastest pitcher in action. In doing so, it puts readers on the fields and at the plate to hear the buzzing fastball of a pitcher fighting to achieve his major league ambitions. Just three days after his high school graduation in 1957, Steve Dalkowski signed into the Baltimore Orioles system. Poised for greatness, he might have risen to be one of the stars in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Instead, he spent his entire career toiling away in the minor leagues. An inspiration for the character Nuke LaLoosh in the classic baseball film Bull Durham, Dalko’s life and story were as fast and wild as the pitches he threw. The late Orioles manager Earl Weaver, who saw baseball greats Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax pitch, said “Dalko threw harder than all of ‘em.” Cal Ripken Sr., Dalkowski’s catcher for several years, said the same. Bull Durham screenwriter Ron Shelton, who played with Dalkowski in the minor leagues, said “They called him “Dalko” and guys liked to hang with him and women wanted to take care of him and if he walked in a room in those days he was probably drunk.” This force on the field that could break chicken wire backstops and wooden fences with his heat but racked up almost as many walks as strikeouts in his career, spent years of drinking all night and showing up on the field the next day, just in time to show his wild heat again. What the Washington Post called “baseball’s greatest what-If story” is one of a superhuman, once-in-a-generation gift, a near-mythical talent that refused to be tamed. Steve Dalkowski will forever be remembered for his remarkable arm. Said Shelton, “In his sport, he had the equivalent of Michaelangelo’s gift but could never finish a painting.” Dalko is the story of the fastest pitching that baseball has ever seen, an explosive but uncontrolled arm.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: High Heat Tim Wendel, 2011-03-22 What is it about a quality fastball that brings us to the edge of our seats? How is it humanly possible to throw more than 100 mph? And the big question: Who is the fastest pitcher ever? Drawing on interviews with current and former players, managers, scouts, experts, and historians, Tim Wendel delivers the answers to some of the most intriguing questions about the fastball, providing insight into one of baseball’s most exhilarating yet mystifying draws. In High Heat he takes us on a quest to separate verifiable fact from baseball lore, traveling from ballparks across the country to the Baseball Hall of Fame, piecing together the fascinating history of the fastball from its early development to the present form while exploring its remarkable impact on the game and the pitchers who have been blessed (or cursed) with its gift. From legends such as Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson, Steve Dalkowski, and Satchel Paige to present-day standard bearers like Tim Lincecum, Billy Wagner, and Randy Johnson, Wendel examines the factors that make throwing heat an elusive ability that few have and even fewer can harness. Along the way he investigates the effectiveness of early speed-testing techniques (including Bob Feller's infamous motorcycle test), explains why today's radar gun readings still leave plenty of room for debate, and even visits an aerodynamic testing lab outside of Birmingham, Alabama, in order to understand the mechanics that make throwing heat possible in the first place. At its heart, High Heat is a reflection on our infatuation with the fastball—the expectation it carries, the raw ability it puts on display, and, most of all, the feats and trials of those who have attempted to master it. As Wendel puts it, The tale of high heat can lead in several different directions at once, and the real story has more to do with triumph and tragedy that with the simple act of throwing a baseball.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers Bill James, Rob Neyer, 2008-06-16 Preeminent baseball analyst Bill James and ESPN.com baseball columnist Rob Neyer compile information on pitches and their origins, nearly two thousand pitchers, and more in this comprehensive guide. Pitchers, the pitches they throw, and how they throw them—they’re the stuff of constant scrutiny, but there's never been anything like a comprehensive source for such information…until now. Bill James and Rob Neyer spent over a decade compiling the centerpiece of this book, the Pitcher Census, which lists specific information for nearly two thousand pitchers, ranging throughout the history of professional baseball. Their guide also includes a dictionary describing virtually every known pitch, biographies of great pitchers who have been overlooked, and top ten lists for fastballs, spitballs, and everything in between. James and Neyer also weigh in on the debate over pitcher abuse and durability, offer a formula for predicting the Cy Young Award winner, and reveal James’s Pitcher Codes. Learn about the origins and development of baseball’s most important pitches and more knuckleballers and submariners than you ever thought existed! Baseball’s action always starts with the pitchers. Begin to understand them and join in on entertaining debates while having a great deal of fun with the history of the game that captivates so many with this one-of-a-kind guide.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Curious Case of Sidd Finch George Plimpton, 1988 Plimpton continues the astounding and (almost) true story of baseball's craziest legend--Sidd Finch, a name every sports fan will remember from Sports Illustrated's 1985 April Fool's issue. Sidd Finch cannot hit, field or steal bases, but with a 168-mph fastball, he's the best pitcher in the sport.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Year Babe Ruth Hit 104 Home Runs Bill Jenkinson, 2007-02-09 In an unprecedented look at Babe Ruth's amazing batting power, sure to inspire debate among baseball fans of every stripe, one of the country's most respected and trusted baseball historians reveals the amazing conclusions of more than twenty years of research. Jenkinson takes readers through Ruth's 1921 season, in which his pattern of battled balls would have accounted for more than 100 home runs in today's ballparks and under today's rules. Yet, 1921 is just tip of the iceberg, for Jenkinson's research reveals that during an era of mammoth field dimensions Ruth hit more 450-plus-feet shots than anybody in history, and the conclusions one can draw are mind boggling.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Baseball in the Garden of Eden John Thorn, 2012-03-20 Think you know how the game of baseball began? Think again. Forget Abner Doubleday and Cooperstown. Did baseball even have a father--or did it just evolve from other bat-and-ball games? John Thorn, baseball's preeminent historian, examines the creation story of the game and finds it all to be a gigantic lie. From its earliest days baseball was a vehicle for gambling, a proxy form of class warfare. Thorn traces the rise of the New York version of the game over other variations popular in Massachusetts and Philadelphia. He shows how the sport's increasing popularity in the early decades of the nineteenth century mirrored the migration of young men from farms and small towns to cities, especially New York. Full of heroes, scoundrels, and dupes, this book tells the story of nineteenth-century America, a land of opportunity and limitation, of glory and greed--all present in the wondrous alloy that is our nation and its pastime.--From publisher description.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Greatest Game Ever Pitched Jim Kaplan, 2013-04 The Braves' Spahn and the Giants' Marichal began their duel in San Francisco's cold and windy Candlestick Park. Four hours later, the two pitching legends were deadlocked in a scoreless tie when Willie Mays hit a walk-off home run to end the greatest game ever pitched. In between, Marichal and Spahn each threw more than 200 pitches and went 16 innings without relief--Publisher marketing.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Science of the Fastball William Blewett, 2013-01-17 This book presents a scientific but easy to understand explanation of pitching power. Illustrated with anecdotes about baseball's greatest power pitchers, it describes how they were able to achieve phenomenal fastball velocity and record-breaking strikeout numbers. How was a 17-year-old rookie named Bob Feller able to strike out Major League batters in record numbers? How do the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the arm and shoulder work to amplify power for greater pitch velocity? How was minor league pitcher Steve Dalkowski able to throw the most phenomenal fastball ever seen (or heard)? Why do young pitchers with exceptional velocity often issue walks at exceptional rates? Why do good pitchers occasionally pitch badly? Why is exceptional hand speed important? What is it about overhand throwing that causes elbow and shoulder injuries? How can a pitcher achieve greater endurance and durability? What is the most reliable way to increase fastball velocity? This book addresses these and other questions for pitchers, coaches, managers, trainers, and fans.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Still Pitching Jim Kaat, Phil Pepe, Joe Torre, David Halberstam, 2012-10-01 He pitched to Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn. His career spanned three commissioners, four decades and five times in six cities. Before he becomes elected to the baseball Hall of Fame, learn about the fascinating career of one of the most unheralded hurlers.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball Jonathan Fraser Light, 1997 Articles covers such diverse topics as alcoholism in baseball, baseball in France, the dumbest player, perfect games, and famous players.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Cool of the Evening Jim Thielman, 2005 In 1965, the Minnesota Twins were an endless surprise. Baseball was the nation s sport, and it gave people a little break from the world. The Minnesota Twins powerful lineup drew huge crowds in cities such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. But in an upper Midwest storm-filled year, the Minnesota Twins were the perfect storm. When the World Series between the Twins and the Dodgers arrived Minneapolis was vibrant with red, white, and blue bunting. The Twins scored six times in the third inning of the first World Series game ever played in Minnesota. Decades after the 1965 World Series fans lined up for autographs of their heroes. This is the story of the team, the players, the games of the 1965 Minnesota Twins.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Evolution of Pitching in Major League Baseball William F. McNeil, 2006-03-15 Are today's major league baseball pitchers better than ever? Or do they pale in comparison to the great hurlers of 20, 30 or 40 years ago? This book tackles a debate that has been traveling baseball circles for several years. With changes in everything from the size of the playing field to the composition of the ball, it's a tall task to compare pitchers over the 170-year history of the sport in America. No stone is unturned as this work delves into every facet from the ancient roots of the game to the bigger size of today's players. The first chapters reach back to the first known batting contests in Egypt 5,000 years ago and bring readers to a popular 18th century English game called rounders, which evolved into organized baseball in 19th century America. The following chapters then pace through the changes in rules that helped mold baseball into its modern form, and discusses innovators like James 'Jimmy' Creighton and Asa Brainard, early stars like Cy Young and Walter Johnson, and modern day standouts such as Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood. The book explores rule changes, adaptations to pitching and pitching strategies, and the effect of pitcher injuries and conditioning, among other influences. Fourteen former major league players comment on the game. The final chapter reviews what has happened to major league pitching. Appendices give stats for major league starting pitchers with comparisons by era, list those with more than 5,000 career innings pitched, list relief pitchers and their single season save records, and a look at the increase in major league home runs from 1919 to 2004.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Baseball Adventure of Jackie Mitchell, Girl Pitcher vs. Babe Ruth Jean L. S. Patrick, 2011-01-01 During the biggest game of her life . . . a girl pitches to the world’s best slugger. Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1931. Jackie Mitchell is a girl pitcher on a minor-league baseball team, the Chattanooga Lookouts. In her day, few women played sports. But her skill earned her a spot on a men’s team. When the New York Yankees come to town, Jackie must face Babe Ruth at the plate. Can she strike out one of the greatest players in baseball?
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Just Tell Me I Can't Jamie Moyer, Larry Platt, 2013-09-10 An extraordinary -- and surprising -- memoir from Jamie Moyer, who at age 49 became the oldest pitcher to ever win a game in the major leagues. Long-time fans of the National Pastime have known Moyer's name for more than 25 years. That's because he's been pitching in the bigs for all those years. With his trademark three pitches - slow, slower, and slowest - the left-handed Moyer is a pinpoint specialist whose won-lost record actually got better as he got older -- from his 20s to his 30s and into 40s. He's only a few wins shy of 300 for his amazing career. But this is where the book takes an unusual turn. Moyer was just about finished as a big leaguer in his mid-20s until he fatefully encountered a gravel-voiced, highly confrontational sports psychologist named Harvey Dorfman. Listening to the in-your-face insights of Dorfman, Moyer began to re-invent himself and reconstruct his approach to his game. Moyer went on to become an All-Star and also a World Series champion. Yogi Berra once observed that Half of this game is 90% mental. And Moyer's memoir proves it.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches Tyler Kepner, 2020-03-03 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From The New York Times baseball columnist, an enchanting, enthralling history of the national pastime as told through the craft of pitching, based on years of archival research and interviews with more than three hundred people from Hall of Famers to the stars of today. The baseball is an amazing plaything. We can grip it and hold it so many different ways, and even the slightest calibration can turn an ordinary pitch into a weapon to thwart the greatest hitters in the world. Each pitch has its own history, evolving through the decades as the masters pass it down to the next generation. From the earliest days of the game, when Candy Cummings dreamed up the curveball while flinging clamshells on a Brooklyn beach, pitchers have never stopped innovating. In K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches, Tyler Kepner traces the colorful stories and fascinating folklore behind the ten major pitches. Each chapter highlights a different pitch, from the blazing fastball to the fluttering knuckleball to the slippery spitball. Infusing every page with infectious passion for the game, Kepner brings readers inside the minds of combatants sixty feet, six inches apart. Filled with priceless insights from many of the best pitchers in baseball history--from Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, and Nolan Ryan to Greg Maddux, Mariano Rivera, and Clayton Kershaw--K will be the definitive book on pitching and join such works as The Glory of Their Times and Moneyball as a classic of the genre.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Tactics of Pitching Branford McAllister, 2014-02-04 There are two basic ways to win the pitcher versus hitter war:• Overpower the hitter (like Justin Verlander)• Fool the hitter (like Barry Zito).The first requires dominating stuff, generally velocity. (Verlander's average fastball in 2012 was 94.3 mph. He also showcased a superb curveball.) And, it requires a fair amount of control to go with the overpowering velocity. Not many pitchers have that kind of ability, even in the major leagues. At lower levels, very few pitchers have the kind of overpowering stuff to rely just on that to get hitters out throughout a game. Those who do have electric stuff can dominate hitters. They are the fortunate ones, but not everyone has this advantage. For them, and for the overpowering pitchers at higher levels, something more than great stuff is required. So, in general, we need a more strategic, mental approach to get hitters out consistently.Pitching is a complex endeavor—both physical and mental. While there are many views on how to succeed as a pitcher, there are several principles that lead to success on the mound. Among these are the following: There is a limited number of things you can do with a ball: give it speed, give it direction, impart spin, and select an orientation of the seams. You can also combine pitches in different sequences and combinations. Otherwise, there is nothing you can to the ball. Every other factor that you can control is mental, and therefore absolutely essential to success. You cannot succeed consistently on the hill without having a plan in mind beforehand. So, if you prepare well, with solid mechanics, you can win each battle with hitters.The objective on the mound is getting outs. There is a strategy to doing this and it relies upon a thoughtful approach that considers your abilities and the situation. If you combine great physical preparation with a sound mental approach, you greatly increase your chances to get those outs, succeed on the hill, and give your team the best opportunity to win games.There are many books on baseball, a few of them about pitching. But, there are very few good books on the art and strategy: the tactics of pitching—specifically, books dealing with how to throw specific pitches, why they do what they do, when to throw them, to what locations, and how to set up hitters. There are few books that help pitchers “pitch” a good game—the subtleties of how to throw pitches and how to formulate game plans for pitching. The Tactics of Pitching is a practical manual for learning and teaching the science, mechanics, and strategy of pitching, suitable for amateur players and coaches through the college level.The book focuses on the following topics:• Pitching Philosophy• How Air Resistance Affects the Flight of a Ball• The Strikezone• Pitches• Situational Pitching• Mechanics Checklist• Correcting Problems• Mental Aspects of Pitching.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Fit to Pitch Tom House, 1996 In Fit to Pitch, baseball's best pitching expert, Tom House, shares the coaching secrets that helped Nolan Ryan sustain a long, successful career and Randy Johnson win a Cy Young Award. With House's pitcher-specific training program, you'll strengthen your body and your arm so you can take the mound in top condition.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Bill James Handbook 2009 Bill James, Baseball Info Solutions, 2008-11 Complete annual baseball reference guide available today.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Dream Makers Jim “The Rookie” Morris, Mark Stuertz, 2020-06-23 Jim Morris is no stranger to big dreams. Since he was five years old, he passionately yearned to play baseball in the major leagues. However, despite all his hard work and determination, a series of unfortunate events and injuries scuttled his career before he was twenty-five. Doctors told him he would never play again. Then at age thirty-five—after a string of highly implausible events and at an age when most players are retiring—Morris found himself on the mound as a relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His return to the game was so incredible that Disney made his story into a heartwarming film—The Rookie—with a stellar performance by Dennis Quaid. It was released to popular acclaim and was a huge box office success. It won the ESPY for Best Sports Movie in 2002 and the CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment. Dream Makers picks up where The Rookie left off. This compelling memoir explores the untapped territory of Morris’s life, including his contentious relationship with his father, his incessant and grueling struggle with pain and addiction, the mentorship with his wise and loving grandfather who kept him grounded, and the resolve and faith that drove him to overcome every tribulation. Dream Makers explores the transformative power of surrounding yourself with the best, most accomplished people possible—inspiring you to overcome life’s obstacles and achieve your dreams. Life can come at you fast, but with God, all things are possible. “It’s not about me. It’s what God can do through me.”
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Nolan Ryan Rob Goldman, 2014-04-01 To any baseball fan, Nolan Ryan’s name still conjures up images of blistering 100-mile-per-hour fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs. During his 27-year career, “The Ryan Express” was named an eight-time All-Star and amassed seven no-hitters and more than 5,700 strikeouts—more than any other pitcher in major-league history. This comprehensive biography of Nolan Ryan follows the baseball legend’s journey from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Hall of Famers, journeymen, clubhouse workers, coaches, and trainers offer their own unique take on Ryan in this book filled with never-before-told anecdotes and personal recollections and peppered with eyewitness accounts of his greatest games. In the pages of this history, readers will discover what made Nolan Ryan one of the most revered and respected athletes and citizens of his time.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Inside Pitch George Gmelch, 2006-10-01 From the spark of ambition to play baseball professionally to the necessity of reinventing life after baseball, the anthropologist and former Minor Leaguer George Gmelch describes the lives of the men who work at America's national game. Twenty-four years after his own final road trip as a minor leaguer, Gmelch went back on the road with ballplayers, this time with a pen and pad to record the details of life around the diamond. Drawing on more than one hundred interviews with Major and Minor League players, coaches, and managers, Gmelch explores players' experiences throughout their careers: being scouted, becoming a rookie, moving through or staying in the Minors, preparing mentally and physically to play day after day, coping with slumps and successes, and facing retirement. He examines the ballplayers' routines and rituals, describes their joys and frustrations, and investigates the roles of wives, fans, and groupies in their lives. Based on his own experience as a player in the 1960s, Gmelch charts the life cycle of the modern professional ballplayer and makes perceptive comparisons to a previous generation of players.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell Lonnie Wheeler, 2021-02-09 The ï¬?rst full biography of the star Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer James “Cool Papa” Bell (1903–1991) was a legend in black baseball, a lightning fast switch hitter elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Bell’s speed was extraordinary; as Satchel Paige famously quipped, he was so fast he could flip a light switch and be in bed before the room got dark. In The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell, experienced baseball writer and historian Lonnie Wheeler recounts the life of this extraordinary player, a key member of some of the greatest Negro League teams in history. Born to sharecroppers in Mississippi, Bell was part of the Great Migration, and in St. Louis, baseball saved Bell from a life working in slaughterhouses. Wheeler charts Bell’s ups and downs in life and in baseball, in the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, where he went to escape American racism and MLB’s color line. Rich in context and suffused in myth, this is a treat for fans of baseball history.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Science of Hitting Ted Williams, John Underwood, 1986-04-29 Advice on how to improve your turn at bat and become the best hitter possible.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Physics of Baseball Robert K. Adair, 2015-01-20 Blending scientific fact and sports trivia, Robert Adair examines what a baseball or player in motion does-and why. How fast can a batted ball go? What effect do stitch patterns have on wind resistance? How far does a curve ball break? Who reaches first base faster after a bunt, a right- or left-handed batter? The answers are often surprising—and always illuminating. This newly revised third edition considers recent developments in the science of sport such as the neurophysiology of batting, bat vibration, and the character of the sweet spot. Faster pitchers, longer hitters, and enclosed stadiums also get a good, hard scientific look to determine their effects on the game. Filled with anecdotes about famous players and incidents, The Physics of Baseball provides fans with fascinating insights into America's favorite pastime.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Tom Candiotti K.P. Wee, 2014-08-23 Most baseball fans know Tom Candiotti as a knuckleballer but he began his career as a conventional pitcher in 1983--after becoming just the second player to appear in the major leagues following Tommy John surgery, at a time when only Tommy John himself had ever come back from the operation. Candiotti, whose arm recovered, threw fastballs and curveballs in his first two years in the majors before switching over to the knuckleball for the 1986 season. He would then go on to use primarily the knuckleball for the rest of his career, though he threw a good enough curveball to get hitters out. This biography is based on the recollections of Candiotti himself, his former teammates and managers, newspaper and periodical accounts, and archival resources.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Science of the Fastball William Blewett, 2013-02-18 This book presents a scientific but easy to understand explanation of pitching power. Illustrated with anecdotes about baseball's greatest power pitchers, it describes how they were able to achieve phenomenal fastball velocity and record-breaking strikeout numbers. How was a 17-year-old rookie named Bob Feller able to strike out Major League batters in record numbers? How do the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the arm and shoulder work to amplify power for greater pitch velocity? How was minor league pitcher Steve Dalkowski able to throw the most phenomenal fastball ever seen (or heard)? Why do young pitchers with exceptional velocity often issue walks at exceptional rates? Why do good pitchers occasionally pitch badly? Why is exceptional hand speed important? What is it about overhand throwing that causes elbow and shoulder injuries? How can a pitcher achieve greater endurance and durability? What is the most reliable way to increase fastball velocity? This book addresses these and other questions for pitchers, coaches, managers, trainers, and fans.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Spitball Knuckleball Book Tom E. Mahl, 2009-01-01 Traces the histories of the spitball, the knucklecurve and the knuckleball and explains throwing techniques.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Faster, Higher, Stronger Mark McClusky, 2014 The world of high-performance athletics is changing forever. Not so long ago, you could compete at the top level with hard work and a good coach. Today, it s impossible to separate the achievements of athletes from the scientists who support them. Veteran journalist Mark McClusky takes readers behind the scenes with a new generation of athletes, coaches, and scientists who are changing our understanding of human physical achievement and completely redefining the limits of the human body.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Unhittable James Buckley, Jr., Phil Pepe, 2006-03 Looks at the history of the greatest performances by pitchers in the history of baseball including perfect games, near-misses, no-hitters, and the 20-strikeout games, highlighting such pitchers as Johnny Vander Meer, Nolan Ryan, and Roger Clemens.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: November Daily Comprehension - 21st Century Anica Stemper, 2021-12-14 A LESSON-A-DAY FOR EVERY DAY IN NOVEMBER! ENGAGING READING COMPREHENSION LESSONS FOR EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH! For years you've loved our Daily Comprehension Series... Now we've created a whole new series emphasizing captivating events that have happened in the 21st Century! Featuring celebrities, inventors, sports, scientiﬁc discoveries, dramatic events and more… this series is sure to give you an unending supply of relevant and intriguing daily reading lessons. Each high-Interest passage is followed by a full page of skill-speciﬁc comprehension activities designed to sharpen essential reading skills. This lesson-a-day series is sure to become a classroom favorite! Ideal for bell work, enrichment, remediation and review. INCLUDES STANDARDS-BASED READING & WRITING ACTIVITIES: Stories feature recent events from the 21st century and are followed by skill-specific comprehension activities to sharpen essential reading skills. Questions are clearly labeled with the standard/skill that it meets. LOCATE AN ANSWER DRAW CONCLUSIONS CAUSE & EFFECT FACT OR OPINION FIND FACTS MAKE INFERENCES SEQUENCE EVENTS FIND THE MAIN IDEA COMPARE & CONTRAST USE CONTEXT CLUES TO FIND MEANING All captivating events happened in the last 20 years! This is a growing series that will eventually include the entire school year. Reading Level: Gr 3 - 4 Interest Level: Gr 5 - 12 MORE DETAILS: This 21st Century Daily Comprehension resource is an updated version of our popular Daily Comprehension series. A high-interest, nonfiction story has been chosen for each day of the month. The stories are a combination of historical, scientific, record-breaking, sports, and pop culture events that happened on that particular day. All of the stories are about events that occurred during the 21st Century. Care was taken to choose topics that appeal to a wide-range of interests. Students will learn some serious and some fun facts while improving their reading skills. A page of skill-based questions follows each story. Comprehension skills include: facts, locating the answer, cause and effect, fact or opinion, sequence, main idea, conclusion, inference, context, and comparison.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: In the Zone Bill Yu, 2020-12-15 Pitcher Tony Andia uses the strong arm and tenacity that makes him Peabody's star quarterback to excel on the baseball field. But when he thinks an opposing player has disrespected him, he loses his cool . . . and the game! Was Tony right about the dis? Or were cultural differences in play? Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Graphic Planet is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Pitching in a Pinch Christy Mathewson, 2013-03-27 An inside baseball memoir from the game’s first superstar, with a foreword by Chad Harbach Christy Mathewson was one of the most dominant pitchers ever to play baseball. Posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of the “Five Immortals,” he was an unstoppable force on the mound, winning at least twenty-two games for twelve straight seasons and pitching three complete-game shutouts in the 1905 World Series. Pitching in a Pinch, his witty and digestible book of baseball insights, stories, and wisdom, was first published over a hundred years ago and presents readers with Mathewson’s plainspoken perspective on the diamond of yore—on the players, the chances they took, the jinxes they believed in, and, most of all, their love of the game. Baseball fans will love to read first-hand accounts of the infamous Merkle’s Boner incident, Giants manager John McGraw, and the unstoppable Johnny Evers and to learn how much—and just how little—has really changed in a hundred years. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: The Baseball 100 Joe Posnanski, 2021-09-28 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Winner of the CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year “An instant sports classic.” —New York Post * “Stellar.” —The Wall Street Journal * “A true masterwork…880 pages of sheer baseball bliss.” —BookPage (starred review) * “This is a remarkable achievement.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) A magnum opus from acclaimed baseball writer Joe Posnanski, The Baseball 100 is an audacious, singular, and masterly book that took a lifetime to write. The entire story of baseball rings through a countdown of the 100 greatest players in history, with a foreword by George Will. Longer than Moby-Dick and nearly as ambitious,? The Baseball 100 is a one-of-a-kind work by award-winning sportswriter and lifelong student of the game Joe Posnanski. In the book’s introduction, Pulitzer Prize–winning commentator George F. Will marvels, “Posnanski must already have lived more than two hundred years. How else could he have acquired such a stock of illuminating facts and entertaining stories about the rich history of this endlessly fascinating sport?” Baseball’s legends come alive in these pages, which are not merely rankings but vibrant profiles of the game’s all-time greats. Posnanski dives into the biographies of iconic Hall of Famers, unfairly forgotten All-Stars, talents of today, and more. He doesn’t rely just on records and statistics—he lovingly retraces players’ origins, illuminates their characters, and places their accomplishments in the context of baseball’s past and present. Just how good a pitcher is Clayton Kershaw in the 21st-century game compared to Greg Maddux dueling with the juiced hitters of the nineties? How do the career and influence of Hank Aaron compare to Babe Ruth’s? Which player in the top ten most deserves to be resurrected from history? No compendium of baseball’s legendary geniuses could be complete without the players of the segregated Negro Leagues, men whose extraordinary careers were largely overlooked by sportswriters at the time and unjustly lost to history. Posnanski writes about the efforts of former Negro Leaguers to restore sidelined Black athletes to their due honor and draws upon the deep troves of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and extensive interviews with the likes of Buck O’Neil to illuminate the accomplishments of players such as pitchers Satchel Paige and Smokey Joe Williams; outfielders Oscar Charleston, Monte Irvin, and Cool Papa Bell; first baseman Buck Leonard; shortstop Pop Lloyd; catcher Josh Gibson; and many, many more. The Baseball 100 treats readers to the whole rich pageant of baseball history in a single volume. Engrossing, surprising, and heartfelt, it is a magisterial tribute to the game of baseball and the stars who have played it.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Game Day Collector's Set (Boxed Set) David Sabino, 2020-08-25 Learn all about six incredible sports in this fascinating collection of nonfiction Level 2 Ready-to-Reads that gives fans an insider look at their favorite sports! What is the difference between overtime and sudden death? When does the ice get resurfaced during a hockey game? How high are basketball hoops? Why do they use so many balls in a baseball game? This Game Day series boxed set is perfect for young, sports-obsessed fans who, in addition to watching and playing sports, crave the kind of expert knowledge that only an insider would know. A special section in the back of each book is chock-full of even more facts about the sport and its storied history and players. Get up close and personal with baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, tennis, and Olympic swimming/diving in: First Pitch Jump Shot Breakaway Slap Shot Match Point Dive In
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Baseball's Iconic 1-0 Games Warren N. Wilbert, 2013-01-17 Although very few baseball games end with a final score of one to zero, and such a score line might suggest a contest devoid of drama, nothing could be further from the truth. Since the 1876 inaugural season of professional baseball, many 1-0 games have proved as compelling as those featuring a parade of pitchers and a plethora of home runs. In Baseball’s Iconic 1-0 Games Warren Wilbert has chronicled the tensest 1-0 nail-biters that have occurred since baseball’s first professional season. Organized thematically, Baseball’s Iconic 1-0 Games starts by examining 1-0 games achieved on Opening Day, with the finest selected from the more than 50 that have occurred since 1876. Regular season games, in which less than three percent result in a 1-0 score, are then detailed, including those games pitched by such greats as John “Jocko” Flynn and Randy Johnson. Championship play, from the first inning of playoffs to the final out of the World Series, has its own share of 1-0 drama, and this, too, is covered extensively. These chapters are then followed by a look at the elusive perfect 1-0 game, of which only eight have been pitched since 1871—seven with a single pitcher. Pitching titans such as Walter Johnson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Bert Blyleven, Christy Mathewson, Dean Chance, Ed Walsh, Guy White, and Cy Young have had more than their fair share of 1-0 victories, and an additional chapter examines these pitchers and their 1-0 games. Appendixes include a full list of pitchers to have thrown a no-hit 1-0 game, pitching greats who have amassed ten or more career 1-0 victories, and 1-0 games in both the Negro Leagues and the Japanese Major Leagues. Featuring more than 30 photographs, Baseball’s Iconic 1-0 Games is sure to fascinate all baseball fans, players, and historians.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Knuckler Tim Wakefield, Tony Massarotti, 2011-04-06 At forty-four years old, Tim Wakefield is the longest-serving member of one of baseball’s most popular franchises. He is close to eclipsing the winning records of two of the greatest pitchers to have played the game, yet few realize the full measure of his success. That his career can be characterized by such words as dependability and consistency defies all odds because he has achieved this with baseball’s most mercurial weapon—the knuckleball. Knuckler is the story of how a struggling position player bet his future on a fickle pitch that would define his career. The pitch may drive hitters crazy, but how does the pitcher stay sane? The moment Wakefield adopted the knuckleball, his career sought to answer that question. With the Red Sox, Wakefield began to master his pitch only to find himself on the mound in 2003 for one of the worst post-season losses in history, followed the next year by one of the most vindicating of championships. Even now, as Wakefield battles, we see the twists and turns of a major league career pushed to its ultimate extreme. A remarkable story of one player’s success despite being the exception to every rule, Knuckler is also a lively meditation on the dancing pitch, its history, its mystique, and all the ironies it brings to bear.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Eddie Cicotte David L. Fleitz, 2020-08-25 Eddie Cicotte, who pitched in the American League 1905-1920, was one of the tragic figures of baseball. A family man and a fan favorite, he ascended to stardom with nothing more than a mediocre fastball, endless guile and a repertoire of trick pitches. He won 29 games in 1919 and led the Chicago White Sox to the pennant. Although he pitched poorly in the World Series that October, fans did not hold it against him--a slump can happen to anybody. A year later, the public learned the truth: Cicotte's poor performance was no slump. He had taken a bribe to throw the Series. Along with seven teammates, he was implicated in what became known as the Black Sox Scandal, the most disgraceful episode in the history of the sport. Overnight, he became a pariah and would remain so for the rest of his life. This is the first full-length biography of Cicotte, best known today not as a great pitcher but as one of the Eight Men Out.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Off Speed Terry McDermott, 2017-05-16 Longlisted for the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing The lively and fascinating story of baseball’s 150-year hunt for the perfect pitch In August 2012, Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in what Terry McDermott calls “one of the greatest exhibitions of off-speed pitches ever put on.” For McDermott, a lifelong fan and student of baseball, the extraordinary events of that afternoon inspired this incisive meditation on the art of pitching. Within the framework of Hernandez’s historic achievement, Off Speed provides a vibrant narrative of the history and evolution of pitching, combining baseball's rich tradition of folklore with the wealth of new metrics from a growing legion of statisticians who are transforming the way we think about the game. Off Speed is also the personal story of a fan’s steadfast devotion, first kindled in McDermott by his father at the local diamond in small-town Iowa and now carried forward with the same passion by his own daughters. Approaching his subject with the love every fan brings to the park and the expertise of a probing journalist, McDermott explores with irrepressible curiosity the science and the romance of baseball.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Moments in Baseball History Mark R. Brewer, 2022-11-29 No other sport can begin to compare to the rich history and statistical record of baseball. It is part of what makes the game so alluring. In “Moments in Baseball History,” Mark R. Brewer examines twenty-two memorable games and the player at the center of that game. It should prove a feast for baseball fans.
what was the fastest pitch in baseball history: Down to the Last Pitch Tim Wendel, 2014-04-01 Never in baseball history had a last place team rebounded to take the pennant the following season. Yet in 1991, lightning struck twice as the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves, a pair of cellar dwellers the year before, faced each other in an unforgettable World Series. For both clubs, the turnaround was one for the ages. Minnesota and Atlanta rallied throughout the 1991 season around a crop of rising stars—Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz—who each spirited their team's unlikely run all the way to the World Series. And what a Fall Classic it proved to be, with five of the seven games decided by a single run, four decided on the final pitch, and three—including game seven—ending in extra innings. When the final out was recorded, the cover headline in Baseball Weekly read: “Best World Series Ever.” In Down to the Last Pitch, Tim Wendel delivers all the hopes, dreams, and drama in a season—and a Series—touched by magic.