Posted on 10/10/2022 7:06:15 AM PDT by Red Badger
VIDEO AT LINK.......................
Andrés Muñoz of the Seattle Mariners threw a nasty 103-mile-per-hour fastball during a playoff game Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The opposing batter was Toronto’s Vlad Guerrero, Jr., and even he was blown away by how fast the pitch was thrown. Guerrero could be seen shaking his head in awe at it.
Muñoz’ throw was the fastest pitch heaved during the MLB playoffs in five years, Codify reported.
The 103 mph heater was indicative of how the first game of the American League Wild Card series would wind up going. The Seattle pitching duo of Luis Castillo and Muñoz held the Blue Jays scoreless, en route to their 4-0 victory. Luis Castillo threw seven innings and notched five strikeouts before Muñoz relieved him to carry out the shutout. According to ESPN, the victory Friday was the Mariners first post-season win since 2001. (RELATED: Blake Bortles Announces His Retirement From Pro Football)
In 2022, the Blue Jays led Major League Baseball with 1,464 hits throughout the regular season. The Jays picked a bad time to go cold with their bats. Toronto faces elimination Saturday in game two of the best-of-three series if they lose again.
If Seattle puts on another pitching clinic in the second post-season game, they’ll surely advance to face the Houston Astros on Tuesday for the divisional round series.
I hope he has control of that missile.
Perfectly.........................
The catcher’s hand is on fire.
Probably has a cracked bone or two.....................
Lot of >100 mph pitchers.
Probably many more in the past, but technology to measure wasn’t precise.
Also a likely reason hitters swing for the fences. They have to commit very quickly, with no time to adjust..
List from this year:
The Unsung Heroes
Despite the facts and records that we’ve listed here, there may be pitches in the past that break the current record holder, but we will never know that for sure. Hall of Fame member Bob Feller, for example, earned the respect of members who claimed he was one of the best pitchers of their time.
However, during that period, baseball radar guns were scarce. Army equipment and computations recorded one of his 1946 pitches at 107.9 mph. This is higher than the current record holder, but due to the disputed inaccuracies in computation, many claim the speed was only up to 102 mph.
Today, we have more advanced radar guns to determine pitch speeds accurately. At radargunsales.com, radar guns determine speeds with precision and accuracy so record-breaking moments never go by like this again.
Aroldis Chapman, 2010
Cuban-American Aroldis Chapman currently holds the world record for the fastest baseball pitch from a male player. According to the Guinness World Records, Chapman made the pitch on September 2010 in San Diego with a record of 105.1 mph. At the time, he was playing for the Cincinnati Reds against the San Diego Padres.
Nolan Ryan, 1974
Baseball fans debate whether Nolan Ryan, who lost his Guinness World Records title as the fastest pitcher, deserved to remain in the books as the fastest pitch thrower. In August 1974, a laser radar measured 100.9 mph from one of his throws.
However, some experts believe that his actual speed was more than this. The ball’s speed was recorded just before it crossed the plate. However, if the radar were in the standard position it is in today (the same position where radar guns recorded Chapman’s speeds), he would remain the record holder, as it would have measured 108.1 mph.
Jordan Hicks, 2018
Looking to the future, we may see a new record holder. Cardinals Rookie Jordan Hicks started Opening Day appearance strong and became the youngest pitcher to throw pitches over 101.6 mph. With an average velocity of 96.8, he is not far from reaching Chapman’s average speeds, according to the MLB.
Baseball fans should know some of these pitching records. While we may never know the real speeds of older games and Hall of Fame members who did not have the privilege of accurate radar gun technology we do today, we can look at the present and future baseball players knowing we have the equipment to record these moments accurately as they happen.
Walter Johnson.
From Ty Cob.
On August 2, 1907, I encountered the most threatening sight I ever saw in the ball field. He was a rookie, and we licked our lips as we warmed up for the first game of a doubleheader in Washington. Evidently, manager Pongo Joe Cantillon of the Nats had picked a rube out of the cornfields of the deepest bushes to pitch against us.... He was a tall, shambling galoot of about twenty, with arms so long they hung far out of his sleeves, and with a sidearm delivery that looked unimpressive at first glance.... One of the Tigers imitated a cow mooing, and we hollered at Cantillon: ‘Get the pitchfork ready, Joe—your hayseed’s on his way back to the barn.’ ... The first time I faced him, I watched him take that easy windup. And then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn’t touch him.... Every one of us knew we’d met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park.[8]
They should be able to get fairly accurate numbers from old videos and films of baseball games by using precision timers of the release to home plate time since the distance is known.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find that 100+ mph fastballs were common ................
They just HAD to make sure we knew he was a male. Pathetic.
“the Heater from Van Meter”
I always smile when I drive by that I-80 exit....
It should be possible to measure old ball speed with accurate timing from the videos and films............
Well the Jays are heading for the golf course or whatever their off season fancy is now so this pitch was an omen for them. Thanksgiving today up here in the great white north. I’m thankful for many things. Blessings to all.
Well, for a fastball it had some nice movement.
May the Yankees join their cross-town rivals on the golf course.
It’s hockey season anyway.
According to the Guinness World Records…. I imagine there is a woman’s record as well. Probably 60% of the men’s record.
Good flick.
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