A rare birth defect also gave him a gift: a nearly impossible-to-hit curveball

The Washington Post ^ | May 25 at 10:09 AM | Jacob Bogage

[Jane Long]

Both of those are awesome...the curve AND the amazing knuckleball.

Thanks for posting.

[apocalypto]

It sure is!

[boop]

I am absolutely floored that a knuckle ball *could* be thrown at 80+ mph

A Phil Neikro knuckler was very slow, think in the 60s- 70s mph range.

Velocity comes from the stretch and legs, and with a big part the wrist snap.

Plus long fingers that can put that edge on the throw.

I am amazed that a human could throw a knuckler at that velocity.

Hell, I thought 80 mph was fast without any movement

For reference just go to a batting cage and try to hit the ball.

No wonder Dickey is unhittable.

[Ransomed]

Well, he was pretty unhittable in the stretch when that gif was taken, 2012. The Mets traded him to Toronto after his cy young year where he never recaptured his success, but was serviceable and pitched a lot of innings. Maybe the difference between the NL east and AL east. He is 42 or 43 now I think.

FReegards