This was great, very well researched and very eye opening.
There was a time when Walter Johnson was considered the fastest pitcher on the planet. Years later, a witness that was still alive was asked, “who is comparable to Walter Johnson today?”
His answer was Greg Maddux, a guy that rarely, if ever, threw 90mph.
But is that accurate? This documentary will open your eyes a bit. It includes interviews with stars and Hall-of-Famers who offer their opinions on nastiest and fastest pitchers they ever faced.
At the end, they crown the fastest pitcher of all-time.
Who do you think it is?
This shocked me a bit.
Without watching, I’d say Nolan Ryan. A couple of pitches using film and a little math, it was estimated at 110 MPH.
Nolan Ryan’s last pitch in a MLB game, where he snapped his elbow for good, was clocked at 93mph. And he was 46 years-old.
IMO, Greg Maddux was the best pitcher I ever witnessed. It was more about placement than power. His two-seamer was one of the best ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8xzwtieAxc
A power hitter will eventually time a fast ball thrown by a power pitcher…and it will go far. Give me pitchers with a great slider such as Carlton, Gibson, Lyle, Eckersley, and Randy Johnson and I’ll show you a WS championship team.
I’ll have to look for this someplace other than YouTube, requires a sign in. I want to see this. Do they show Robin Ventura charge the mound on Nolan Ryan?
Low and inside,shake the batters wrists.
It says I have to watch it on YouTube. I go to YouTube. Then it says I am not authorized to watch it in the Great Whit North.
Harumph.
Careful Matt,careful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIhQlAass2Y
Fastball documentary…opened fine for me.
Thanks for posting this BFH. I’ve been getting really annoyed with Ken Burns and his constant playing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and the various renditions of the national anthem and all the unnecessary celebrity interviews and the constant harping on Yankees and Red Soxs.
It’s nice to have something different to watch for a change.
Part of me wants to watch this, but I won’t since I can no longer be a fan of my favorite sport because the only team that I have ever loved decided to capitulate to the woke assholes and gave up the best logo in sports, then changed their name. Fuck you “guardians”!
Ironic isn’t it loshonhora? They open with race against an Indian motorcycle.
“Fuck you “guardians”!”
I hear you. Pissed me off as well and I’m not an Indians fan. I hope this season there are more Indians jersey and shirts in the stands than that stupid woke-ass name (I won’t even say it). Why do I have a feeling, after a few weeks, ownership will try their best to not allow any Indians garb in the stands. Colors yes, but Indians, no.
That was great.
I was a bleacher’s guy from way back when I’d cut school, catch the El to Addison and pay a dollar to sit out in right field in Wrigley. Did the same when CO got the Rockies.
But one time I sat behind the plate about 15 or so rows up one day when Greg Maddox was pitching. I don’t know how fast the pitches were but goodness, that ball was curving all over the place and he was striking guys out like there was no tomorrow.
MMinWA – I think you’ll like this….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axkik-8oFTs
I was a pretty good beer league softball player, both fast and slow pitch. I went to a Rockies game and they had a radar gun that you could throw against. I had a pretty good arm. I wasn’t allowed to have snowball fights because I literally hit people in the eye. So I threw against the radar gun and registered a 62 mph….It was a cruel truth
@Chuckie, his break on the curve was unbelievable. Thanks for the vid.
I was a big Sandy Koufax fan when I was a kid. There was a sandlot diamond nearby and I spent most of my summers there when I was still in elementary school. If enough kids showed up we’d have a pickup game, otherwise we’d throw and catch or have batting/fielding practice.
Rick – You’re welcome. The way Maddux painted the corners of the plate was unbelievable. He never topped over 90 on his fastballs while in his prime. He’s 8th on the all time wins list ahead of, I’m willing to bet without seeing the entire Fastball video, of every single power pitcher the documentary will mention.
Thank you Chuckie!
And thank you Fur, really that was a pleasure watching. I think of all of the memories that it invoked, the best were the ones of Bob Gibson and it was pretty cool listening to him. Can’t remember if I ever saw him but I was at so many Cubs’ games, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Nolan Ryan was no slouch either. Both of them were big, strong men. And intimidating, it was insightful listening to the round table of players at the HofF.
An hour+ well spent
Great show! I sent to a couple guys I know that may or may not have seen it before.
Mr JayPlays
Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I watch Nolan Ryan’s beatdown of Robin Ventura. Ryan was a pitching God in so many ways. Note to self: Don’t charge Nolan Ryan.