Although he should of gained a couple more votes, the recognition is quite beautiful. http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stark_jayson/1382666.html
Burt Hooton's knuckle-curve J.R. Richard's slider Sandy Koufax's curve Trevor Hoffman's change Mariano Rivera's cutter
I was looking at this at work and couldn't believe Mike Scott's split finger wasn't listed. I mean maybe it's because his longevity wasn't quite there, but for 1 or 2 seasons he was probably the most unhittable pitcher since Bob Gibson.
Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown's sinker Walter Johnson's fastball or Fellers, or Gibson's. Ed Walsh's spitball(back when it was still legal) As for modern pitchers, Kerry Wood's pre-injury curve was devastating. And Hudson's Splitter is underrated in that poll, in my opinion, because when its on, he's unhittable.
Wilbur Wood-knuckleball Randy Jones-sinker Tom Seaver-fastball Rich "Goose" Gossage-fastball Gaylord Perry-spitball Ron Guidry-slider Whitey Ford-changeup Steve Carlton-slider Fergie Jenkins-changeup Jim Palmer-curveball Fernando Valenzuela-screwball
What a joke that Pedro wasn't any higher than the "elite eight". I know that I had heard somewhere about 2 years ago that his changeup was the best pitch in the game. I guess that is what happens to you when you get hurt...you get knocked down from the top perch and have to climb your way up again.
You are correct Bob in that I live in Tennessee. Back when I was 12 (in 1985), I started liking Wade Boggs because that was the year he got like 240 hits and won his 2nd batting title. The next year was even better as Clemens struck out 20 in one game and went 24-4 and the Red Sox came oh so close of winning the World Series. All the teams that I like were based on a player that I just thought would be neat to follow: Red Sox - Boggs Rockets - Olajuwon Broncos - John Elway Miami Football - Bernie Kosar I know it's crazy, but living in a state that had no professional sports teams (at that time, the Titans were obviously the Oilers), I thought it was sorta cheesy to like the Atlanta teams like all the other people I knew (but I can see why they rooted for those teams). Now, of course, I hate Boggs and Clemens (him especially) with a passion because they became f*cking Yankees! So, in a nutshell, it was because of Wade Boggs.
I thought it might be bacause of a certain player. Boggs was an amazing hitter (and loved his chicken) I guess your too young to remember the 1975 World Series between the Redsox and Reds. Fred Lynn, Carlton Fisk and Jim Rice against Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose. One of the best World Series in history. Man, I remember that series like it was yesterday
Well Pedro doesn't have any one "great" pitch, like Johnson's fastball and slider. He has four extremely good pitches, and pinpoint command.
Bob: Yea, the '75 series was a great one...it's too bad that the Sox came up on the short end. Pued: Agreed with you but I think I did a poor job of explaining my stance with Pedro. Up to 2 years ago, he was lauded for his change-up. Yes, he has a great fastball and a great curve, but I think most people would agree that his change-up was absolutely (and I still feel is) devastating. To me to say that he has 3 great pitches is true but sorta of a cop-out for the way ESPN is running this thing. I feel that his change-up is a better pitch than his others. Maybe they (ESPN) should have limited it to one pitch per pitcher. Also, I beg to differ about his change-up not being a great pitch. I really think that his injury and the absolute dominance of Randy and Schilling has made people forget how great his change-up was (and I think still is) at one time. I say that many people probably want to wait to see how he does this season before proclaiming like the Red Sox homer that I am, that his change-up is back to being one of the best.
isn't this just a list of people currently playing? it has to be. manny, theres a link on that page(more from espn...) that has the greatest pitches ever list. pedro's change-up is there. Pedro Martinez's changeup As ESPN analyst Dave Campbell says, "Sandy Koufax would just strike you out. But Pedro will embarrass you." Martinez's amazing control and movement on his changeup allowed him to post ERAs of 1.90, 2.89, 2.07 and 1.74 from 1997-2000. Compared to the league ERA, no pitcher has done better over a four-year stretch.
That's illegal!! btw: do you remember the "Puff Ball" he threw once. I remeber seeing a picture of it. But, as far as illegal pitches go: My favorite was Doc Ellis's Psycho Active Ball!
