MLB Off-Topic

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Does the whole "speed=distance/time" stuff apply? If there's video of him pitching,couldnt you slow it down and figure out exact amount of time it took for ball to cross the plate?

I'm pretty sure they don't have video from the 1910's to slow down...

[Redacted01]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'm pretty sure they don't have video from the 1910's to slow down...

We've had film since the late 1800's. You can go find short youtube videos of Johnson. Am I missing something in your post that would indicate why you don't think it would exist?

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'm pretty sure they don't have video from the 1910's to slow down...

He pitched in the 20s too. There's limited video available to public, but im sure somewhere in mlb media library,there must be some kind of past footage from those days that researches/historians could use.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

We've had film since the late 1800's. You can go find short youtube videos of Johnson. Am I missing something in your post that would indicate why you don't think it would exist?

Film of baseball that can be slowed down to accurately determine the velocity of a pitch?

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I need to watch the documentary, but I did go out and find some articles about it and the 83 mph for Johnson is what was measured using primitive equipment (they measured him at 122 ft/second). My guess is that isn't very accurate...I'd be very surprised if Walter Johnson was throwing less than 90 mph.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Film of baseball that can be slowed down to accurately determine the velocity of a pitch?

It won't be perfect, but if it could get a result with a possible margin of error being a few mph at most, that's still better than nothing.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Lifted from Big Train's Wiki page...

Although a lack of precision instruments prevented accurate measurement of his fastball, in 1917, a Bridgeport, Connecticut munitions laboratory recorded Johnson's fastball at 134 feet per second, which is equal to 91.36 miles per hour (147.03 km/h), a velocity which was virtually unique in Johnson's day, with the possible exception of Smoky Joe Wood. Johnson, moreover, pitched with a sidearm motion, whereas power pitchers are normally known for pitching with a straight-overhand delivery. Johnson's motion was especially difficult for right-handed batters to follow, as the ball seemed to be coming from third base. His pitching mechanics were superb, generating powerful rotation of his shoulders with excellent balance.[8] In addition to his fastball, Johnson featured an occasional curveball that he developed around 1913 or 1914.[9] He batted and threw right-handed.

EDIT: I also read that the "speeding motorcycle test" measured Johnson at 99.7 MPH in 1914. Source.

I find any documentary that says Johnson topped out at 83 MPH (which many high school kids can hit nowadays) to be laughable.

[CMH]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

While I have a hard time arguing that Johnson didn't throw as fast as the top guys throw today, I also struggle to believe there wasn't someone in the league capable of reaching the mid to high 90s.

What really is different? Motion? I guess but there still isn't any proof that a specific motion generates certain heat because if there was, everyone would be using the form.

I'm sure Johnson threw at a velocity greater than most which made him unique and difficult to hit. I guess the question remains, was 85 mph unique or 95?

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

While I have a hard time arguing that Johnson didn't throw as fast as the top guys throw today, I also struggle to believe there wasn't someone in the league capable of reaching the mid to high 90s.

What really is different? Motion? I guess but there still isn't any proof that a specific motion generates certain heat because if there was, everyone would be using the form.

I'm sure Johnson threw at a velocity greater than most which made him unique and difficult to hit. I guess the question remains, was 85 mph unique or 95?

Training is the difference. Back then, guys just played in games. They didn't work out in the off-season or work on mechanics. The training regimens that today's players go through is what makes them so much better.

There is definitely knowledge about how to create velocity. There isn't one specific motion, but there are things that nearly all pitchers do in a similar way to get to a similar point at release. Same as hitters. There are different ways to get there, but nearly everyone gets to the same point at contact.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I recently got OOTP, and I love the random stats and quotes during the loading screens.

For instance, June 29, 2014 was the first time the Cubs didn't have a Sunday game scheduled since 1932.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.asp...on1=2016&ind=0

Clayton Kershaw hasn't pitched in a month and he's still far and away the pitching WAR leader.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Training is the difference. Back then, guys just played in games. They didn't work out in the off-season or work on mechanics. The training regimens that today's players go through is what makes them so much better.

There is definitely knowledge about how to create velocity. There isn't one specific motion, but there are things that nearly all pitchers do in a similar way to get to a similar point at release. Same as hitters. There are different ways to get there, but nearly everyone gets to the same point at contact.

Yep, despite all the different motions we see balance point and stride/landing is almost always the same for every pitcher.

I know there are five points in the windup and 3/4 in the stride based on the pitcher but balance point and landing are the two points every pitcher hits in almost the same fashion.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Will an individual player's WAR suffer if his team is bad? I know it's Wins Above Replacement so it's an individual stat, I just wanted to know if the team's status had any bearing.

[redsox4evur]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Will an individual player's WAR suffer if his team is bad? I know it's Wins Above Replacement so it's an individual stat, I just wanted to know if the team's status had any bearing.

I don't think so. Using Mike Trout as an example, in 2013 the Angels went 78-84 and Trout had the best WAR in the league at 9.3. Same goes for this year, Angels are 47-57 and Trout is leading the League in WAR at 6.6.

[l3ulvl]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Will an individual player's WAR suffer if his team is bad? I know it's Wins Above Replacement so it's an individual stat, I just wanted to know if the team's status had any bearing.

I've wondered this in basketball when they do "win shares", but as far "wins above replacement" I wouldn't think team record would have any bearing.

I'm still an amateur with this stuff though