In baseball, the pitcher’s fastball is one of the most important and exciting pitches. Fans are always eager to see how fast a pitcher can throw, and pitchers themselves are constantly striving to throw faster than their opponents. Over the years, pitchers have been able to throw faster and faster, and the record for the fastest pitch has been broken several times. In this article, we will explore the history of the fastest pitch in baseball and the players who have thrown them.
The first recorded measurement of a pitcher’s fastball speed was in 1912, when Walter Johnson, a pitcher for the Washington Senators, was clocked at 91.4 miles per hour (mph). Johnson was known for his incredible fastball, which he threw with great accuracy and control. At the time, his fastball was considered to be incredibly fast, and it set the standard for future pitchers to try to surpass.
Over the years, other pitchers were able to throw faster than Johnson, and the record for the fastest pitch continued to be broken. In 1974, Nolan Ryan, a pitcher for the California Angels, was clocked at 100.9 mph, becoming the first pitcher to break the 100 mph barrier. Ryan was known for his incredible fastball, which he threw with great velocity and movement. His record-breaking pitch set the stage for future pitchers to try to throw even faster.
In 2010, Aroldis Chapman, a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, was clocked at 105.1 mph, breaking Ryan’s record for the fastest pitch. Chapman was a left-handed pitcher, and his fastball was known for its incredible speed and movement. He was able to throw his fastball with great velocity and control, and he quickly became one of the most feared pitchers in baseball.
Since Chapman’s record-breaking pitch, several other pitchers have come close to breaking the 105 mph barrier. In 2016, Mauricio Cabrera, a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, was clocked at 103.8 mph, and in 2018, Jordan Hicks, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was clocked at 105.1 mph, tying Chapman’s record.
While the fastest pitch in baseball is certainly impressive, it is important to note that velocity alone does not make a great pitcher. In addition to speed, pitchers must also have good control, movement, and location in order to be successful. A pitcher who can throw a fastball with great velocity but lacks control will likely struggle to get batters out.
Furthermore, throwing a fastball with incredible speed can also come with its own set of risks. Pitchers who throw too hard too often can put a lot of strain on their arms and increase their risk of injury. Many pitchers who throw fastballs with great velocity have also struggled with arm injuries over the course of their careers.
In conclusion, the record for the fastest pitch in baseball has been broken several times over the years, with the current record standing at 105.1 mph. While the ability to throw a fastball with great speed is certainly impressive, it is important to remember that velocity alone does not make a great pitcher. Pitchers must also have good control, movement, and location in order to be successful, and throwing too hard too often can put a lot of strain on their arms and increase their risk of injury.
