NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Baseball pitcher

In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter who attempts to either make contact with it or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the pitcher is assigned the number 1. Pitchers motion, Brandon Claussen, Cincinnati Reds, 9/15/2004, by Rick Dikeman File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Pitchers motion, Brandon Claussen, Cincinnati Reds, 9/15/2004, by Rick Dikeman File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Baseball is a team sport, in which a fist-sized ball is thrown by a defensive player called a pitcher and hit by an offensive player called a batter with a round, smooth stick called a bat. ... The pitcher moves forward off the rubber as the pitch is released. ... Catcher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. ... In baseball statistics, a base on balls (BB), also called a walk, is used in baseball to track the performance of pitchers and batters. ...

In most cases, the object of a pitch is to deliver the ball to the catcher without allowing the batter to hit the ball. The ball is delivered in such a way that the batter either can't hit a pitch through the strike zone or is compelled to swing at a pitch outside of the strike zone. If the batter elects not to swing at the pitch, it is called a strike if the ball passes through the strike zone and a ball otherwise. In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. ... Batter can have several meanings: In cooking, batter is a thick or thin mixture, usually made of a ground grain, a liquid, and a fat. ... Strike zone boundaries (MLB) Definition In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual rectangular area over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing. ...

Nearly all action during a game is centered around the pitcher for the defensive team. A pitcher's particular style and skill heavily influences the dynamics of the game and will often determine the victor.

The type and sequence of pitches chosen depends upon the particular situation in a game. Because pitchers and catchers must coordinate each pitch, a system of hand signals are used by the catcher to communicate choices to the pitcher, to which the pitcher either vetoes or accepts.

Keeping a foot on the pitcher's rubber at the center of the pitcher's mound, which is 60 feet 6 inches from home plate, the pitcher throws the baseball to the catcher, who is positioned behind home plate and catches the ball. Meanwhile, a batter stands in the batter's box at one side of the plate, and attempts to bat the ball safely into fair play. Catcher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Batter can have several meanings: In cooking, batter is a thick or thin mixture, usually made of a ground grain, a liquid, and a fat. ... In baseball, softball, and similar sports and games, the batters box is the place where the batter stands when ready to receive a pitch from the pitcher. ... In baseball statistics, a hit (denoted by H), sometimes called a base hit, is credited to a batter when he safely reaches first base after batting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielders choice. ...

Although the object and mechanics of pitching remain the same for all pitchers, pitchers may be classified according to their roles and effectiveness. The starting pitcher begins the game and he may be followed various relief pitchers, such as the long reliever, the left-handed specialist, the setup man, and/or the closer. In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher, often abbreviated as starter, is the pitcher who pitches the first pitch to the first batter of a game. ... A relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen as the game goes on A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness or fatigue. ... In baseball, middle relief pitchers are relief pitchers who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th innings or in situations where several innings worth of work is required (such as extra innings or when the starter is pulled early in the game). ... In baseball, a left-handed specialist (also called, somewhat derisively, a LOOGY or Lefty One Out Guy) is a left-handed relief pitcher who specializes in getting left-handed batters out. ... In baseball, a setup pitcher (or set-up pitcher, sometimes called the setup man) is a relief pitcher who regularly pitches before the closer. ... In baseball, a closer is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing games, i. ...

Famous past Major League Baseball pitchers include Cy Young, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Steve Carlton, and Nolan Ryan. Famous current pitchers (as of 2004) include Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Johan Santana, and Pedro Martinez. MLB logo Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in professional baseball in the world. ... Denton True Young (March 29, 1867 - November 4, 1955) was the pre-eminent baseball pitcher during the 1890s and 1900s. ... Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants at West Side Park in Chicago, Illinois. ... Walter Johnson on a 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card (White Borders (T206)). Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887-December 10, 1946), American professional baseball pitcher. ... Sanford Sandy Koufax (born Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. ... Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, from 1965 to 1988, who retired as one of the most successful pitchers to ever play the game. ... Nolan Ryan Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio), nicknamed The Rocket, is among the preeminent Major League baseball pitchers of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. ... Johnson tossing out a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park Randall David Randy Johnson (born September 10, 1963 in Walnut Creek, California) is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Greg Maddux pitches against the Dodgers as a Chicago Cub Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo, Texas, USA) is a right-handed baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. ... Johan Alexander Santana (born March 13, 1979) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Minnesota Twins. ... Pedro Martinez warming up in right field of Fenway Park before a game, June 22, 2004. ...

1 Pitching in a game
2 After the ball is pitched
3 Significant pitchers
- 3.1 Baseball Hall of Fame members
- 3.2 Other noteworthy pitchers
4 See also

Pitching in a game

The position of the pitcher

Effective pitching is vitally important in baseball. In baseball statistics, for each game, one pitcher will be credited with winning the game, and one pitcher will be charged with losing it. However, pitching is also physically demanding, especially if the pitcher is throwing with maximum effort. A full game usually involves 120-170 pitches thrown by each team, and most pitchers begin to tire before they reach this point. As a result, the pitcher who starts a game often will not be the one who finishes it, and he may not be recovered enough to pitch again for a few days. The act of throwing a baseball at high speed is very unnatural to the body and somewhat damaging to human muscles, thus pitchers are very susceptible to injuries, soreness, and general pain. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... As with many sports, and perhaps even more so, statistics are very important to baseball. ... In baseball, a pitcher is credited with a win (or W) when, in a game won by his team, he is the teams pitcher at the time that his team takes a lead that it does not relinquish for the remainder of the game. ...

Teams have devised two strategies to address this problem: rotation and specialization. To accommodate playing nearly every day, a team will include a group of pitchers who start games and rotate between them, allowing each pitcher to rest for a few days between starts. Also, teams have additional pitchers reserved to replace that game's starting pitcher if he tires or proves ineffective. These players are called relief pitchers, relievers, or collectively the bullpen. The relief pitchers often have even more specialized roles, and the particular reliever used depends on the situation. Many teams designate one pitcher as the closer, a relief pitcher specifically reserved to pitch the final inning or innings of a game when his team has a narrow lead, in order to preserve the victory. Generally, relief pitchers pitch fewer innings and throw fewer pitches than starting pitchers, but may be able to pitch more frequently without needing multiple days to recover. A relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen as the game goes on A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness or fatigue. ... While the game goes on, a relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen, beyond the outfield fence In baseball, the bullpen is the area where pitchers warm-up before entering a game. ... In baseball, a closer is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing games, i. ...

A pitcher releases the baseball from the pitcher's mound

Delivery of the baseball from the pitcher to catcher

A skilled pitcher often throws a variety of different pitches in order to prevent the batter from hitting the ball well. The most basic pitch is a fastball, where the pitcher throws the ball as hard as he can. Some pitchers are able to throw a fastball at a velocity of over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Other common types of pitches are the curveball, slider, changeup, forkball, split-fingered fastball, and knuckleball. These generally are intended to have unusual movement or deceive the batter as to the rotation or velocity of the ball, making it more difficult to hit. Very few pitchers throw all of these pitches, but most use a subset or blend of the basic types. Some pitchers also release pitches from different arm angles, making it harder for the batter to pick up the flight of the ball. (See List of baseball pitches.) Download high resolution version (600x843, 79 KB)Caption: 040302-N-9693M-002 Annapolis, Md. ... Download high resolution version (600x843, 79 KB)Caption: 040302-N-9693M-002 Annapolis, Md. ... Download high resolution version (600x872, 75 KB)Caption: 040302-N-9693M-004 Annapolis, Md. ... Download high resolution version (600x872, 75 KB)Caption: 040302-N-9693M-004 Annapolis, Md. ... The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. ... Velocity (symbol: v) is a vector measurement of the rate and direction of motion. ... Curveball Pitch Curveball Pitch The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a grip and hand motion that induces extra rotation on the ball causing it to break, to fly in a more exaggerated curve than would be expected. ... A slider (also known as a nickel curve) is a pitch in baseball, sort of halfway between a curveball and a fastball, with less break but more speed than the curve. ... A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. ... The forkball is a type of pitch in baseball. ... A split-finger fastball or splitter, is a pitch in baseball and a variant of the straight fastball. ... A knuckleball (or knuckler for short) is a baseball pitch thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. ... In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. ...

After the ball is pitched

The pitcher's duty doesn't cease after he pitches the ball. He has several standard roles at that point. The pitcher must attempt to field any balls coming up the middle, and in fact a Gold Glove Award is reserved for the pitcher with the best fielding ability. He must also cover first base on balls hit to the right side, since the first baseman might be fielding them. On passed balls and wild pitches, he covers home-plate when there are runners on. Also, he generally backs up throws to home plate. In American baseball, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to simply as the Gold Glove, is the award annually given to the Major League player judged to be the most superior individual fielding performance at each position (in each league), as voted by the managers and coaches in each... The position of the first baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that players team. ... In baseball, a catcher shall be charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or to control a legally pitched ball which should have been held or controlled with ordinary effort, thereby permitting a runner or runners to advance. ... In baseball, a wild pitch (denoted by WP) is a pitch that is too high, too low, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to capably field, thereby allowing one or more runners to advance at least one base. ...

Significant pitchers

Baseball Hall of Fame members

Grover Cleveland Alexander - Chief Bender - Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown - Jim Bunning - Steve Carlton - Jack Chesbro - John Clarkson - Stan Coveleski - Candy Cummings - Leon Day (Negro Leagues) - Dizzy Dean - Martin Dihigo (also 2B/OF; Negro Leagues) - Don Drysdale - Dennis Eckersley (reliever) - Red Faber - Bob Feller - Rollie Fingers (reliever) - Whitey Ford - Bill Foster (Negro Leagues) - Rube Foster (also manager and executive; Negro Leagues) - Pud Galvin - Bob Gibson - Lefty Gomez - Clark Griffith (also manager and owner) - Burleigh Grimes - Lefty Grove - Jesse Haines - Waite Hoyt - Carl Hubbell - James "Catfish" Hunter - Ferguson Jenkins - Walter Johnson - Addie Joss - Tim Keefe - Sandy Koufax - Bob Lemon - Ted Lyons - Juan Marichal - Rube Marquard - Christy Mathewson - Joe McGinnity - Hal Newhouser - Kid Nichols - Phil Niekro - Satchel Paige (Negro Leagues) - Jim Palmer - Herb Pennock - Gaylord Perry - Eddie Plank - Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn - Eppa Rixey - Robin Roberts - Bullet Joe Rogan (Negro Leagues) - Red Ruffing - Amos Rusie - Babe Ruth (also RF) - Nolan Ryan - Tom Seaver - Hilton Smith (Negro Leagues) - Warren Spahn - Albert Spalding (also manager and executive) - Don Sutton - Dazzy Vance - Rube Waddell - Ed Walsh - Monte Ward (also shortstop) - Mickey Welch - Hoyt Wilhelm (reliever) - Smokey Joe Williams (Negro Leagues) - Vic Willis - Early Wynn - Cy Young The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, United States, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests that serves as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in North America, the display of baseball-related... Grover Cleveland Alexander of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1915. ... Bender in 1911 Charles Albert Chief Bender (May 5, 1884 - May 22, 1954) was one of the great pitchers in major league baseball in the first two decades of the 20th century, and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Mordecai Brown of the Chicago Cubs at the West Side Grounds in 1903. ... James Paul David Jim Bunning (born October 23, 1931 in Southgate, Kentucky) is an American politician who was a Hall of Fame pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1971. ... Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, from 1965 to 1988, who retired as one of the most successful pitchers to ever play the game. ... Jack Chesbro on a 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card. ... 1905 photograph of baseball player John Clarkson. ... Stanley Anthony Coveleski (Kowalewski) (July 13, 1889 - March 20, 1984) was a Major League Baseball player during the 1910s and 1920s. ... Candy Cummings William Arthur Candy Cummings (October 18, 1848 - May 16, 1924) was a 19th century professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League. ... Leon Day (October 30, 1916 - March 13, 1995) was an American right-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. ... Jay Hanna Dizzy Dean (January 16, 1910 - July 17, 1974) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Martin Dihigo (May 25, 1905 - May 20, 1971) was born in Matanzas Province, Cuba. ... Donald Scott Don Drysdale (July 23, 1936 - July 3, 1993) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Dennis Lee Eckersley (born October 3, 1954 in Oakland, California), nicknamed Eck, was a Major League Baseball player elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 (his first year of eligibility). ... A relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen as the game goes on A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness or fatigue. ... Urban Charles Red Faber (September 6, 1888 - September 25, 1976) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1914 until 1933, playing his entire career for the Chicago White Sox. ... Robert William Andrew Feller, nicknamed Rapid Robert, is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and Hall of Famer. ... Roland Fingers giving his trademark handlebar mustache a twirl. ... A relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen as the game goes on A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness or fatigue. ... Edward Charles Whitey Ford (born October 21, 1928) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. ... William Hendrick Bill Foster (June 12, 1904 _ September 16, 1978) was an American left-handed pitcher in baseballs Negro Leagues in the 1920s and 1930s, and the half_brother of Negro league pioneer Rube Foster. ... Andrew Rube Foster Andrew Rube Foster (September 17, 1878 or 1879 - December 9, 1930) (he adopted the nickname as his official middle name later in life) was the founder of the Negro National League, the first stable professional baseball league for African-American ballplayers, which operated from 1921 to 1931. ... Pud Galvin baseball card, 1887 James Francis Pud Galvin (December 25, 1856 – March 7, 1902), an American professional baseball pitcher, was Major League Baseballs first 300-game winner. ... Bob Gibson (born November 9, 1935) was a right_handed pitcher for the St. ... Vernon Louis Lefty Gómez (November 26, 1908 - February 17, 1989) was a left-handed Major League pitcher who played in the American League for the New York Yankees between 1930 and 1942. ... Clark Griffith of the Chicago White Sox at the West Side Grounds in 1902. ... Burleigh Arland Grimes (August 9, 1893_December 6, 1985) was an American professional baseball player, and the last pitcher officially permitted to throw the spitball. ... Robert Moses Lefty Grove (March 6, 1900 - May 22, 1975) was one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball history, and in the opinion of many - including noted baseball historian Bill James - the best pitcher ever. ... Jesse Joseph Haines (July 22, 1893 - August 5, 1978) was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher and knuckleballer. ... Waite Hoyt (September 9, 1899–August 25, 1984) was a baseball player and one of the dominant pitchers of the 1920s. ... Carl Owen Hubbell (June 22, 1903 - November 21, 1988) was a left-handed screwball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Giants in the National League from 1928 to 1943. ... James Augustus Catfish Hunter (April 8, 1946 - September 9, 1999) was a prolific Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher between 1965 and 1979. ... Ferguson Arthur Fergie Jenkins (born December 13, 1943 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada) was a professional baseball player. ... Walter Johnson on a 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card (White Borders (T206)). Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887-December 10, 1946), American professional baseball pitcher. ... Addie Joss, 1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card Adrian Joss (April 12, 1880 - April 14, 1911) was a Major League Baseball pitcher in the early 20th century. ... Tim Keefe on an 1888 Goodwin & Company baseball card (Goodwin Champions (N162)). Timothy John Keefe (January 1, 1857 - April 23, 1933) was a 19th century Major League Baseball pitcher noted for his longevity and record-setting strikeout totals. ... Sanford Sandy Koufax (born Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. ... Robert Granville Lemon (September 22, 1920 - January 11, 2000) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Theodore Amar Lyons (December 28, 1900 - July 25, 1986) was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher and manager. ... Juan Antonio Marichal Sánchez (born October 20, 1937 in Laguna Verde, Dominican Republic), better known as Juan Marichal, was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher known for his high leg kick and dominating stuff, and his intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters helmets. ... Rube Marquard of the New York Giants at the West Side Grounds in 1909. ... Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants at West Side Park in Chicago, Illinois. ... Joe McGinnity of the New York Giants at the West Side Grounds in 1905. ... Harold Newhouser (May 20, 1921 - November 10, 1998) was a professional Major League Baseball pitcher of the 1940s and 1950s. ... Kid Nichols of the Philadelphia Phillies at the West Side Grounds in 1905. ... Philip Henry Niekro (born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Satchel Paige - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... James Alvin Palmer (born October 15, 1945 in New York, NY), best known as Jim Palmer and nicknamed Cakes, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles (1965-1984). ... Herbert Jefferis Pennock (February 10, 1894 - January 30, 1948) was a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his time spent with the star-studded New York Yankee teams of the mid-to-late-1920s and early 1930s. ... Gaylord Jackson Perry (born September 15, 1938 in Williamston, North Carolina) was a Major League Baseball player and member of the United States Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Eddie Plank of the Philadelphia Athletics at South Side Park in 1905. ... Charles Radbourn on a 1887-1890 Goodwin & Company baseball card (Old Judge (N172)). Charles Gardner Radbourn (December 11, 1854 - February 5, 1897), nicknamed Old Hoss, was a pitcher in Major League Baseball prior to the turn of the 20th century. ... Eppa Rixey of the Philadelphia Phillies at the West Side Grounds in 1912. ... Robin Evan Roberts (born September 30, 1926 in Springfield, Illinois, USA) is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played with the Philadelphia Phillies (1948-61), Baltimore Orioles (1962-65), Houston Astros (1965-66) and Chicago Cubs (1966). ... Wilber Bullet Joe Rogan (July 28, 1889 _ March 4, 1967), born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, first played professional baseball with the Kansas City Giants in 1909. ... Charles Herbert Ruffing (May 3, 1904 - February 17, 1986), better known as Red Ruffing, was a Major League Baseball pitcher most remembered for his time with the highly successful New York Yankees teams of the 1930s and 1940s. ... Amos Rusie on a 1895 Mayo Tobacco Works baseball card (Mayos Cut Plug (N300)). Amos Wilson Rusie (May 30, 1871 - December 6, 1942), nicknamed The Hoosier Thunderbolt, was a hard-throwing right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher during the late 19th century. ... George Herman Ruth, (February 6, 1895 â€“ August 16, 1948), better known as Babe Ruth and also commonly known by the nicknames The Bambino and The Sultan of Swat, was an American baseball player and United States national icon. ... Nolan Ryan Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. ... George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944 in Fresno, California) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for four different teams, primarily the New York Mets, from 1967 to 1977 and in 1983. ... Hilton Smith (February 27, 1912 - November 18, 1983) was born in Kansas City, Missouri. ... Warren Edward Spahn (April 23, 1921 - November 24, 2003) was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched 21 seasons, all in the National League. ... Al Spaldings sporting goods company made a lasting impact on baseball. ... Donald Howard Sutton (born April 2, 1945 in Clio, Alabama) is a sports broadcaster and former Major League Baseball player. ... Clarence Arthur Dazzy Vance (March 4, 1891 - February 16, 1961) was a star Major League Baseball pitcher during the 1920s. ... George Edward Waddell (October 13, 1876 - April 1, 1914) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park in 1913. ... Monte Ward on a 1887-1890 Goodwin & Company baseball card (Old Judge (N172)). John Montgomery Ward (March 3, 1860 - March 4, 1925) was a 19th century Major League Baseball star pitcher, shortstop and manager. ... Michael Francis Welch (July 4, 1859 - July 30, 1941), also known as Mickey Welch, was a 19th century Major League Baseball starting pitcher. ... James Hoyt Wilhelm (July 26, 1922 in Huntersville, North Carolina - August 23, 2002 in Sarasota, Florida) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... A relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen as the game goes on A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness or fatigue. ... Joseph Williams (April 6, 1886 - February 25, 1951), also knicknamed Smokey Joe, has been considered by many baseball historians to be one of the games greatest pitchers, even though he never played a game in the major leagues. ... Vic Willis baseball card, 1909 Victor Gazaway Willis (April 12, 1876 - August 3, 1947) was a Major League Baseball player. ... Early Wynn (January 6, 1920 - April 4, 1999) was a right-handed baseball pitcher for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. ... Denton True Young (March 29, 1867 - November 4, 1955) was the pre-eminent baseball pitcher during the 1890s and 1900s. ...

Other noteworthy pitchers

Bert Blyleven - Bob Caruthers - Roger Clemens (*) - David Cone - Roy Face (reliever) - Wes Ferrell (also OF and pinch-hitter) - John Franco (*) (reliever) - Eric Gagne (*) (reliever) - Tom Glavine (*) - Dwight Gooden - Rich "Goose" Gossage (reliever) - Ron Guidry - Roy Halladay (*) - Orel Hershiser - Trevor Hoffman (*) (reliever) - Tommy John - Randy Johnson (*) - Jim Kaat - Greg Maddux (*) - Firpo Marberry - Pedro Martinez (*) - Carl Mays - Jack Morris - Billy Pierce - Jeff Reardon (reliever) - Dick Redding (Negro Leagues) - Dan Quisenberry (reliever) - Lee Smith (reliever) - John Smoltz (starter and reliever) (*) - Bruce Sutter (reliever) - Luis Tiant Rik Albert Blyleven, better known as Bert Blyleven (born April 6, 1951 in Zeist, Netherlands), was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the 1970s and 1980s, best known for his astounding curveball. ... William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio), nicknamed The Rocket, is among the preeminent Major League baseball pitchers of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. ... David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City, Missouri) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Elroy Leon Face (born February 20, 1928 in Stephentown, New York) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1953, 1955-68), Detroit Tigers (1968) and Montreal Expos (1969). ... A relief pitcher warms up in the bullpen as the game goes on A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness or fatigue. ... Wes Ferrell with the Red Sox Wesley Cheek Ferrell (February 2, 1908 - December 9, 1976) was a right-handed pitcher also known for his hitting, and a member of the first American League All-Star team in 1933. ... John Franco (b. ... Eric GagnÃ© Eric Serge GagnÃ© (born January 7, 1976 in Montreal, QuÃ©bec, Canada) is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord, Massachusetts) is a Major League Baseball player. ... Dwight Eugene Gooden (born November 16, 1964 in Tampa, Florida), a. ... Richard Michael Goose Gossage (born July 5, 1951 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 21 seasons for nine different teams before retiring in 1994. ... Pitcher Ron Guidry Ronald Ames Guidry (Louisiana Lightning and Gator) (born August 28, 1950 in Lafayette, Louisiana) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. ... Harry Leroy Roy Halladay (born May 14, 1977 in Denver, Colorado), or Doc Halladay, is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher. ... Orel Leonard Quinton Hershiser IV (born September 16, 1958 in Buffalo, New York) is an American former right-handed pitcher, and current pitching coach, for the Texas Rangers. ... Trevor William Hoffman (born October 13, 1967 in Bellflower, California) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played with the San Diego Padres since 1993. ... Thomas Edward John Jr. ... Johnson tossing out a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park Randall David Randy Johnson (born September 10, 1963 in Walnut Creek, California) is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... Pitcher Jim Kaat James Lee Kaat (born November 7, 1938 in Zeeland, Michigan), nicknamed Kitty, is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators (I)/Minnesota Twins (1959-1973), Chicago White Sox (1973-1975), Philadelphia Phillies (1976-1979), New York Yankees (1979-1980), and St. ... Greg Maddux pitches against the Dodgers as a Chicago Cub Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo, Texas, USA) is a right-handed baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. ... Frederick Firpo Marberry (November 30, 1898 - June 30, 1976) was an American right-handed starting and relief pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1923 to 1936, most notably with the Washington Senators. ... Pedro Martinez warming up in right field of Fenway Park before a game, June 22, 2004. ... Carl William Mays (November 12, 1891 _ April 4, 1971) was one of the better right-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball from 1916_1926, but he is best remembered for throwing the pitch that struck Ray Chapman in the head on August 16, 1920, making Chapman the first and only... John Scott Jack Morris (born May 16, 1955 in St. ... Walter William Billy Pierce (born April 2, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who played with the Detroit Tigers (1945, 1948), Chicago White Sox (1949-61) and San Francisco Giants (1962-64). ... Jeffrey James Reardon (born October 1, 1955 in Dalton, Massachusetts) is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. ... Daniel Raymond Quisenberry (February 7, 1953 - September 30, 1998) was a Major League Baseball player, primarily as a star relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. ... Lee Arthur Smith (born December 4, 1957 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... John Smoltz John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967 in Detroit, Michigan, USA) is a Major League Baseball player. ... Howard Bruce Sutter (born January 8, 1953 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) was a dominant Major League Baseball relief pitcher and possibly the first pitcher to make effective use of the split-fingered fastball. ... Luis Tiant [loo-IS tee-ANT] (born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba), born Luis Clemente Tiant Vega, is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians (1964-1969), Minnesota Twins (1970), Boston Red Sox (1971-1978), New York Yankees (1979-80...

(*) active

Contents

Pitching in a game GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

After the ball is pitched

Significant pitchers

Baseball Hall of Fame members

Other noteworthy pitchers

See also

Pitching in a game