As I continue my job scouting, I learn more about the mechanics of pitching. Seasoned scouts, coaches, and major league pitchers see miniscule details and nuances of pitching mechanics that us normal humans don’t. Rumor has it that Tim Lincecum actually had his delivery–one of my favorites–retooled when a family friend created a computer program that figured out how to maximize his velocity.
If I were to put together a short list of my favorite pitching deliveries, it would include Doc Gooden, Fernando Valenzuela, Pat Neshek, Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Juan Marichal. And Paul Byrd for the throwback.
Thus, our latest poll: Which pitcher has (or had) your favorite delivery? Why?
The floor is yours, readers.
7 responses so far ↓
1 brent // Jul 2, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Mitch Williams as one not mentioned.
2 Simon Currie // Jul 2, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Hey, Lincecum’s a mini-Tornado, I never realized that!
3 Shinsano // Jul 2, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I have to go with Nomo. The high leg kick, the eyes, the excorsist-like twist and the explosion. I happened to watch what will likely be his last game with KC and he still had it — the windup, that is.
On the other end of the spectrum I like Paul Byrd. He’s got a classic, old-timey windup…it looks like it should be playing in black and white/super-speed.
4 Benjamin B // Jul 2, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Nice call on Marichal … Old school lives
Don Drysdale seemed to be half way to the plate back in the day before unleashing that heater.
5 Simon Currie // Jul 2, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Choji Murata had one funky windup that was called “masakari” (broadaxe) style because he brings down his front leg (or so I thought) as if he’s swinging an axe.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=8CyJn1PgPrE
Anyways, at age 58 he’s still active in the Masters League and throwing 80-85mph still, incredible!
http://marinerds.blogspot.com/2007/12/choji-murata-is-still-awesome.html
6 Simon Currie // Jul 2, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Oops, forgot to delete “(or so I thought)”
7 Ted // Jul 4, 2008 at 4:33 am
Roy Oswalt–or the original Lincecum, as I like to call him to myself–has a great compact mini-tornado wind-up. You’d never teach anyone to throw that way, but he makes it work.
Jamie Moyer has the ultimate beer-league softball toss, the slow and awkward delivery, lulling all comers into an overconfident yet hypnotic state.
Trevor Hoffman: simple from the stretch, into an unreasonably high leg kick and ballet-pointed toe.
Jose Valverde is a wild man, legs and arms flying all over the place. To say nothing of his encyclopedia of superstitious ticks before, during and after each of his appearances.
Really I could go on all day…
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