On the mound with my top 15 pitchers that I have seen.
My next top ten is devoted to those athletes who hurl a ball 60 feet , 6 inches towards a batter who plans to hit said ball safely. Now I only include pitchers that I saw pitch, so no Christy Matheson, no Walter Johnson, and certainly no Cy Young, Whitey Ford, and no Don Larsen.
I would like to stray a little and make it my top 15, just because I do not want toleave certain pitchers off this list.
Coming in at #15 is Juan Marichal, of the San Fransisco Giants.
Marichal's delivery was renowned for one of the fullest windups in modern baseball, with a high kick of his left leg that went nearly vertical (even more so than Warren Spahn's delivery. Marichal maintained this delivery his entire career, and photographs taken near his retirement show the vertical kick only diminished. The windup was the key to his delivery in that he was consistently able to conceal the type of pitch until it was on its way.
Marichal was discovered by Ramfis Trujillo. Ramfis was the primary sponsor of the Dominican Air Force Baseball Team (Aviación Dominicana), against which Marichal pitched a 2–1 victory game in his native Monte Cristi. From the very moment the game ended, Marichal was a member of Aviación Dominicana team, enlisted to the Air Force right on the spot by Ramfis's orders. Winner of 243 games with 2303 career strikeouts.
Next in line at #14 -Bill Lee, the spaceman, who I have written about considerably already, so no new facts, other than I love his lack of deportment. In 1988, he and his second wife, Pamela, announced plans to move to Burlington, Vermont. In 1987, he had announced plans to run forPresident of the United States for the Rhino Party which necessitated the move. Since then he has played mostly as a celebrity pitcher in games around the world. He gives radio interviews and spot TV interviews concerning baseball, from time to time.
Coming in at #13 -Luis Tiant, born in Marianao,Cuba on November 23, 1940. His talent was recognized by former Cleveland Indians All-Star, Bobby Avila , who was scouting for talent in Cuba. Avila recommended him to the Mexico City Tigers of the Mexican League . Tiant was signed for $150 a month, and for the next three years he divided his time between the Tigers and the Havana Sugar Kings in the International League.
Coming in at numero # 12 is Denny McLain, of the Detroit Tigers, as a player, McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. His stellar performance at the beginning of his major league career included two CyYoung Awards and an American MVP award. His success in baseball stood in marked contrast to his personal life, where he associated with organized crime and was eventually convicted on charges of embezzlement, after which he served time in prison. Last pitcher to win more thatn 30 games.
Coming in at number 11- Sudden Sam McDowell, of the Cleveland Indians, prior to the 1960 season, McDowell signed with the Indians for a $75,000 bonus. After spending 1960 with the Class-DLakeland Indians, he was promoted to the Triple A Salt Lake Bees of the PCL. He finished the year there with a record of 13-10 and a 4.42 ERA.
This was enough to earn him a promotion to the majors in September, and one week before his 19th birthday he made his MLB debut for the Indians. Starting against the Minnesoat Twins , McDowell pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, giving up just three hits. However, in a harbinger of things to come, he also walked five batters before being relieved byFrank Funk. Funk gave up three runs in the 9th inning to lose the game, 3-2. McDowell did not pitch again in 1961.
Coming in at the 10 slot is Don Drysdale, of the LA Dodgers.
Drysdale was born inVan Nuys Los Angeles , and attended Van Nuys High School were one of his classmates was actor Robert Redford. Pitching for theBrooklyn and Los Ageles Dodgers, he teamed with Sandy Koufax during the late 1950s and early and middle 1960s to form one of the most dominating pitching duos in history. Nicknamed "Big D" by fans, Drysdale usedbrushback pitches and a sidearm fastball to intimidate batters, similar to his fierce fellow Hall of Famer Bob GibsonHis 154 hit batsmen remains a modern National League record.
In at the number 9 position is the Good Doctor, Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays , and later on the Philadelphia Philles.Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III] (May 14, 1977 – November 7, 2017) was an American professional baseball player, who played in Major League Babseball (MLB) for the Blue Jays and Phillies between 1998 and 2013. His nickname, "Doc", was coined by Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek and was a reference to Wild West gunslinger Doc Holliday.
Holding the # 8 spot in this giant rotation is Canadian Ferguson Jenkins .
A talented athlete, Jenkins competed in track and field, hockey, and basketball in his school years, lettering five times. When he began playing bantam baseball in his teens, he started out as a first baseman. He honed his pitching skills by throwing pieces of coal from a local coal yard, aiming at either an open ice chute or the gaps of passing boxcars. He was also encouraged to continue working on his pitching by Gene Dziadura, a former shortstop in the Chicago Cubs minor league system, and a Philadelphia Philles scout. Many training sessions involving the two followed, until Jenkins graduated from high school.
Coming in at number 7 is Tom Terrific , Tom Seaver of the NY Mets.
In 1971, Seaver led the league in earned run average (1.76) and strikeouts (289 in 286 innings) while going 20–10. However, he finished second in the Cy Young balloting to Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs, due to Jenkins' league-leading 24 wins, 325 innings pitched, and exceptional control numbers.
Seaver had four more 20-win seasons (20 in 1971, 21 in 1972, 22 in 1975, and 21 in 1977). He won two more Cy Young Awards (1973 and 1975, both with the Mets). During his tenure with the Mets, Seaver made 108 starts in which he pitched nine or more innings and allowed one run or less. His record in those starts was 93–3 with 12 no-decisions. In seven of the 12 no-decisions, he pitched 10 or more innings. In the 12 no-decisions, he pitched a total of 117 innings, allowing 56 hits and five earned runs, compiling a 0.38 ERA.
At he number 6 spot is Wilbur Wood In 1960, Wood was signed out of Belmont High School by the Boston Red Sox. He pitched on-and-off for them for a few seasons before being traded to thePittsburgh Pirates in late September 1964. After two seasons with Pittsburgh, he was traded to the White Sox after the 1966 season. When he arrived, knuckleball specialist Hoyt Wilhelm advised him to use his knuckleball exclusively. Taking Wilhelm's advice, Wood's career took off, first as a relief pitcher, and then as a starting pitcher. With the White Sox, Wood became well known as a durable workhorse, and one of the last pitchers to consistently throw well over 300 innings in a season.
At the number 5 slot we find Gerrit Cole, currently of the NY Yankees, owned by one fantasy team Elephants on Acid by my son Kevin and myself.
Gerrit Alan Cole ) is an pitcher for the Yankees of (MLB). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates andHouton Astros. Cole played for the baseball team at Orange Lutheran High School, and was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the 2008 draft. Cole opted not to sign, and instead attended the (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins.
Coming in at number 5 is a particular favourite of mine,maybe because of his name Vida Blue.
Blue spearheaded an Oakland rotation n the early 1970's. He was a fastball pitcher who burst onto the scene in 1971 with a 24-8 record. He wore the green and gold until Chuck Finley sold him off to the SF Giants.
Coming in at number 4 is the Big Unit, Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners, the Montreal Expo's , Houston Astro's and Arizona Diamond backs. He won 303 games and is a sure fire Hall of Famer, throwing gas. He had control issues early in his career but overcame the wildness.
At the number 3 spot is Sandy Koufax, a run of left handers. Sandy came into the majors a wild thrower, until a teammate urged him to take a little off his wicked fastball, to better control the direction of each pitch,the result was 4 straight years 62-66 where he was the best there was.
At the number 2 position is a personal favourite of mine, Dave Stieb, of the Toronto Blue Jays, I grew up as Blue Jays fan and worshiped Stieb,having his jersey as my personal memento. I died a 100 deaths every time he inched close to a no hit game,then on a Sunday afternoon it finally happened. Glorious triumph over the Cleveland Indians.
But the all time favourite pitcher of mines was Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals, two time WS winner , over the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox, losing to the Detroit Tigers in 68. Bob set the major league modern record for lowest ERA in 68 with a 1.12 ERA, causing major leagues to narrow the strike zone and lower the mound, having messed with it earlier in the decade.
A happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.
And there you have it, my top 15 pitchers that I witnessed throw a baseball.
I would like to stray a little and make it my top 15, just because I do not want toleave certain pitchers off this list.
Coming in at #15 is Juan Marichal, of the San Fransisco Giants.
Marichal's delivery was renowned for one of the fullest windups in modern baseball, with a high kick of his left leg that went nearly vertical (even more so than Warren Spahn's delivery. Marichal maintained this delivery his entire career, and photographs taken near his retirement show the vertical kick only diminished. The windup was the key to his delivery in that he was consistently able to conceal the type of pitch until it was on its way.
Marichal was discovered by Ramfis Trujillo. Ramfis was the primary sponsor of the Dominican Air Force Baseball Team (Aviación Dominicana), against which Marichal pitched a 2–1 victory game in his native Monte Cristi. From the very moment the game ended, Marichal was a member of Aviación Dominicana team, enlisted to the Air Force right on the spot by Ramfis's orders. Winner of 243 games with 2303 career strikeouts.
Next in line at #14 -Bill Lee, the spaceman, who I have written about considerably already, so no new facts, other than I love his lack of deportment. In 1988, he and his second wife, Pamela, announced plans to move to Burlington, Vermont. In 1987, he had announced plans to run forPresident of the United States for the Rhino Party which necessitated the move. Since then he has played mostly as a celebrity pitcher in games around the world. He gives radio interviews and spot TV interviews concerning baseball, from time to time.
Coming in at #13 -Luis Tiant, born in Marianao,Cuba on November 23, 1940. His talent was recognized by former Cleveland Indians All-Star, Bobby Avila , who was scouting for talent in Cuba. Avila recommended him to the Mexico City Tigers of the Mexican League . Tiant was signed for $150 a month, and for the next three years he divided his time between the Tigers and the Havana Sugar Kings in the International League.
Coming in at numero # 12 is Denny McLain, of the Detroit Tigers, as a player, McLain was brash and outspoken, sometimes creating controversy by criticizing teammates and fans with little provocation. His stellar performance at the beginning of his major league career included two CyYoung Awards and an American MVP award. His success in baseball stood in marked contrast to his personal life, where he associated with organized crime and was eventually convicted on charges of embezzlement, after which he served time in prison. Last pitcher to win more thatn 30 games.
Coming in at number 11- Sudden Sam McDowell, of the Cleveland Indians, prior to the 1960 season, McDowell signed with the Indians for a $75,000 bonus. After spending 1960 with the Class-DLakeland Indians, he was promoted to the Triple A Salt Lake Bees of the PCL. He finished the year there with a record of 13-10 and a 4.42 ERA.
This was enough to earn him a promotion to the majors in September, and one week before his 19th birthday he made his MLB debut for the Indians. Starting against the Minnesoat Twins , McDowell pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, giving up just three hits. However, in a harbinger of things to come, he also walked five batters before being relieved byFrank Funk. Funk gave up three runs in the 9th inning to lose the game, 3-2. McDowell did not pitch again in 1961.
Coming in at the 10 slot is Don Drysdale, of the LA Dodgers.
Drysdale was born inVan Nuys Los Angeles , and attended Van Nuys High School were one of his classmates was actor Robert Redford. Pitching for theBrooklyn and Los Ageles Dodgers, he teamed with Sandy Koufax during the late 1950s and early and middle 1960s to form one of the most dominating pitching duos in history. Nicknamed "Big D" by fans, Drysdale usedbrushback pitches and a sidearm fastball to intimidate batters, similar to his fierce fellow Hall of Famer Bob GibsonHis 154 hit batsmen remains a modern National League record.
In at the number 9 position is the Good Doctor, Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays , and later on the Philadelphia Philles.Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III] (May 14, 1977 – November 7, 2017) was an American professional baseball player, who played in Major League Babseball (MLB) for the Blue Jays and Phillies between 1998 and 2013. His nickname, "Doc", was coined by Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek and was a reference to Wild West gunslinger Doc Holliday.
Holding the # 8 spot in this giant rotation is Canadian Ferguson Jenkins .
A talented athlete, Jenkins competed in track and field, hockey, and basketball in his school years, lettering five times. When he began playing bantam baseball in his teens, he started out as a first baseman. He honed his pitching skills by throwing pieces of coal from a local coal yard, aiming at either an open ice chute or the gaps of passing boxcars. He was also encouraged to continue working on his pitching by Gene Dziadura, a former shortstop in the Chicago Cubs minor league system, and a Philadelphia Philles scout. Many training sessions involving the two followed, until Jenkins graduated from high school.
Coming in at number 7 is Tom Terrific , Tom Seaver of the NY Mets.
In 1971, Seaver led the league in earned run average (1.76) and strikeouts (289 in 286 innings) while going 20–10. However, he finished second in the Cy Young balloting to Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs, due to Jenkins' league-leading 24 wins, 325 innings pitched, and exceptional control numbers.
Seaver had four more 20-win seasons (20 in 1971, 21 in 1972, 22 in 1975, and 21 in 1977). He won two more Cy Young Awards (1973 and 1975, both with the Mets). During his tenure with the Mets, Seaver made 108 starts in which he pitched nine or more innings and allowed one run or less. His record in those starts was 93–3 with 12 no-decisions. In seven of the 12 no-decisions, he pitched 10 or more innings. In the 12 no-decisions, he pitched a total of 117 innings, allowing 56 hits and five earned runs, compiling a 0.38 ERA.
At he number 6 spot is Wilbur Wood In 1960, Wood was signed out of Belmont High School by the Boston Red Sox. He pitched on-and-off for them for a few seasons before being traded to thePittsburgh Pirates in late September 1964. After two seasons with Pittsburgh, he was traded to the White Sox after the 1966 season. When he arrived, knuckleball specialist Hoyt Wilhelm advised him to use his knuckleball exclusively. Taking Wilhelm's advice, Wood's career took off, first as a relief pitcher, and then as a starting pitcher. With the White Sox, Wood became well known as a durable workhorse, and one of the last pitchers to consistently throw well over 300 innings in a season.
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| Wood's 71 Topps card |
At the number 5 slot we find Gerrit Cole, currently of the NY Yankees, owned by one fantasy team Elephants on Acid by my son Kevin and myself.
Gerrit Alan Cole ) is an pitcher for the Yankees of (MLB). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates andHouton Astros. Cole played for the baseball team at Orange Lutheran High School, and was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the 2008 draft. Cole opted not to sign, and instead attended the (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins.
Coming in at number 5 is a particular favourite of mine,maybe because of his name Vida Blue.
Blue spearheaded an Oakland rotation n the early 1970's. He was a fastball pitcher who burst onto the scene in 1971 with a 24-8 record. He wore the green and gold until Chuck Finley sold him off to the SF Giants.
Coming in at number 4 is the Big Unit, Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners, the Montreal Expo's , Houston Astro's and Arizona Diamond backs. He won 303 games and is a sure fire Hall of Famer, throwing gas. He had control issues early in his career but overcame the wildness.
At the number 3 spot is Sandy Koufax, a run of left handers. Sandy came into the majors a wild thrower, until a teammate urged him to take a little off his wicked fastball, to better control the direction of each pitch,the result was 4 straight years 62-66 where he was the best there was.
At the number 2 position is a personal favourite of mine, Dave Stieb, of the Toronto Blue Jays, I grew up as Blue Jays fan and worshiped Stieb,having his jersey as my personal memento. I died a 100 deaths every time he inched close to a no hit game,then on a Sunday afternoon it finally happened. Glorious triumph over the Cleveland Indians.
But the all time favourite pitcher of mines was Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals, two time WS winner , over the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox, losing to the Detroit Tigers in 68. Bob set the major league modern record for lowest ERA in 68 with a 1.12 ERA, causing major leagues to narrow the strike zone and lower the mound, having messed with it earlier in the decade.
A happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.
And there you have it, my top 15 pitchers that I witnessed throw a baseball.
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