List of knuckleball pitchers

Last updated

Tim Wakefield throwing a knuckleball Wakefield Throws a Knuckleball.jpg
Tim Wakefield throwing a knuckleball

Knuckleball pitchers are baseball players who rely on the knuckleball as their primary pitch, or pitch primarily based on their ability to throw a knuckleball. The inventor of the knuckleball has never been established, although several pitchers from the early 20th century have been credited. Baseball statistician and historian Rob Neyer named four individuals in an article he wrote in the 2004 book The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers as potentially deserving credit, any of whom may have originated the pitch in either the 1907 or 1908 seasons. Nap Rucker of the Brooklyn Dodgers came up to the majors in 1907, initially throwing hard stuff but later switching to the knuckleball. A 1908 article credited Lew Moren as the inventor of the pitch. Ed Cicotte earned a full-time spot with the Detroit Tigers in 1908, earning the nickname "Knuckles" for his signature pitch. A picture of Ed Summers showed him gripping what he called a "dry spitter" using a variation of the knuckleball grip using the knuckles of his index and middle fingers. [1]

Contents

Unlike almost every other pitch in baseball, the knuckleball's erratic trajectory has often required teams to use dedicated catchers, often using specialized mitts, to field the deliveries. Clint Courtney used a specially constructed catcher's mitt, about 50% larger than the conventional mitts used at the time, to catch knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm during a game in May 1960. Umpire Al Smith credited the use of the glove with preventing three or four passed balls in that one game. [2] The lower velocity of the knuckleball is credited with giving some who use it the ability to pitch more often and to sustain pitching careers far longer than those who rely on their fastball to get outs. Tim Wakefield pitched on consecutive days, when most starting pitchers in the 21st century throw after four days of rest. Hoyt Wilhelm pitched until he was almost 50 and Phil Niekro used the pitch until he was 48. Wakefield retired at 45.

The prevalence of the knuckleballer has varied over time. The 1945 Washington Senators finished 1+1⁄2 games out of first place with a starting pitching staff that almost exclusively used the pitch, with four knuckleballers in the rotation. That season, the team's three catchers — regular catcher Rick Ferrell and backups Al Evans and Mike Guerra — combined for 40 passed balls, more than double that of any other team in the league. [3]

Baseball funnyman Bob Uecker, who was Phil Niekro's personal catcher with the Braves in 1967, has been quoted as saying "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling, then go pick it up." [4]

Wilbur Wood, Joe Niekro, and R. A. Dickey have won The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award. In 2012, Dickey became the only knuckleballer to have won the Cy Young Award. Phil Niekro is the only knuckleball pitcher to win 300 games. [5]

Notable knuckleballers

The following lists knuckleball pitchers who are primarily known for throwing the knuckleball or those who established professional careers based on throwing the knuckleball. Individuals who threw the pitch occasionally or those who did not play professional baseball primarily as a pitcher are excluded. Major League Baseball career statistics are from Baseball-Reference.com.

Eddie Cicotte is credited as the inventor of the knuckleball. EddieCicotte55.jpg
Eddie Cicotte is credited as the inventor of the knuckleball.
Hoyt Wilhelm won 124 games in relief, the major league record, and was the first pitcher to reach 200 saves and the first to appear in 1,000 games. Hoyt Wilhelm 1959.png
Hoyt Wilhelm won 124 games in relief, the major league record, and was the first pitcher to reach 200 saves and the first to appear in 1,000 games.
R. A. Dickey reinvented his career by developing a knuckleball. R.A. Dickey.jpg
R. A. Dickey reinvented his career by developing a knuckleball.
Phil Niekro is the only knuckleballer to win 300 games. Phil Niekro 1982.jpg
Phil Niekro is the only knuckleballer to win 300 games.
Key
G Games pitched
W Career wins
L Career losses
SV Career saves
ERACareer earned run average
†
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
* Cy Young Award winner
Knuckleball pitchers
NameDebutFinalGWLSVERARef(s)BatsThrows
Gene Bearden 19471953193453813.96 [6] [7] LeftLeft
Danny Boone 19811990162143.36 [8] [9] LeftLeft
Jim Bouton 19621978304626363.57 [10] [11] RightRight
Wally Burnette 1956195868142113.56 [12] [13] RightRight
Tom Candiotti 1983199945115116403.73 [14] [15] RightRight
Eddie Cicotte 19051920502208149252.38 [3] [16] SwitchRight
R. A. Dickey *2001201740012011824.04 [17] [18] RightRight
Ryan Feierabend 200620213221207.21 [19] LeftLeft
Jared Fernández 20012006374705.05 [20] [21] RightRight
Eddie Fisher 195919736908070813.41 [22] RightRight
Eddie Gamboa 2016201670201.35 [23] [24] [25] RightRight
Mickey Haefner 194319502617891133.50 [26] [27] LeftLeft
Charlie Haeger 20062010192716.35 [28] [29] RightRight
Jesse Haines †19181937555210158103.64 [30] [31] [32] RightRight
Charlie Hough 19701994858216216613.75 [33] [34] RightRight
Dutch Leonard 19331953640191181443.25 [35] [36] RightRight
Ted Lyons †19231946594260230233.67 [37] [38] SwitchRight
Lew Moren 19031910141485732.95 [1] [39] RightRight
Joe Niekro 19671988702221204163.59 [40] [41] RightRight
Phil Niekro †19641987864318274293.35 [42] [43] RightRight
Johnny Niggeling 19381945184646903.22 [44] [45] RightRight
Al Papai 194819558891445.37 [46] [47] RightRight
Bob Purkey 1954196638612911593.79 [48] [49] RightRight
Steve Sparks 19952004270597634.88 [50] [51] RightRight
Dennis Springer 19952002130244815.18 [52] RightRight
Eddie Rommel 19201932501171119303.54 [53] [54] RightRight
Tim Wakefield 19922011627200180224.41 [55] [56] RightRight
Matt Waldron 2023Present81304.35 [57] [58] RightRight
Hoyt Wilhelm †1952197210701431222272.52 [59] [60] RightRight
Roger Wolff 194119471825269133.41 [61] [62] RightRight
Wilbur Wood 19611978651164156573.24 [63] [64] RightLeft
Steven Wright 2013201981241603.41 [65] RightRight

See also

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passed ball</span> Baseball statistic

In baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control, and, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or a runner on base advances. A runner who advances due to a passed ball is not credited with a stolen base unless he breaks for the base before the pitcher begins his delivery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoyt Wilhelm</span> American baseball player (1922-2002)

James Hoyt Wilhelm, nicknamed "Old Sarge", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers between 1952 and 1972. Wilhelm was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knuckleball</span> Baseball pitch

A knuckleball or knuckler is a baseball pitch thrown to minimize the spin of the ball in flight, causing an erratic, unpredictable motion. The air flow over a seam of the ball causes the ball to change from laminar to turbulent flow. This change adds a deflecting force to the baseball, making it difficult for batters to hit but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch; umpires are challenged as well, as the ball's irregular motion through the air makes it harder to call balls and strikes. A pitcher who throws knuckleballs is known as a knuckleballer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Niekro</span> American baseball player (1939–2020)

Philip Henry Niekro, nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Niekro is generally regarded as the greatest knuckleball pitcher of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Niekro</span> American baseball player (1944–2006)

Joseph Franklin Niekro was an American professional baseball pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1967 to 1988 for seven different teams, primarily for the Houston Astros.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Wakefield</span> American baseball player (1966–2023)

Timothy Stephen Wakefield was an American professional baseball knuckleball pitcher. Wakefield began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but is most remembered for his 17-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox, from 1995 until his retirement in 2012 as the longest-serving player on the team, earning a total of $55 million. When he retired at age 45 after 19 seasons in MLB, Wakefield was the oldest active player in the major leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catcher</span> Defensive position in baseball and softball played behind home plate, facing the field

Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catcher is also called upon to master many other skills in order to field the position well. The role of the catcher is similar to that of the wicket-keeper in cricket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Mirabelli</span> American baseball player (born 1970)

Douglas Anthony Mirabelli is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants (1996–2000), Texas Rangers (2001), Boston Red Sox (2001–2005), and San Diego Padres (2006) before returning to the Red Sox (2006–2007) to end his 11-year career. He batted and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Richards (baseball)</span> American baseball player, manager, and executive

Paul Rapier Richards was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and executive in Major League Baseball. During his playing career, he was a catcher and right-handed batter with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1932), New York Giants (1933–1935), Philadelphia Athletics (1935) and Detroit Tigers (1943–1946). After retiring, he became the manager of the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles (1955–1961). He also served as the general manager for the Orioles, the Houston Colt .45s / Astros and the Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Hough</span> American baseball player (born 1948)

Charles Oliver Hough is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) knuckleball pitcher and coach who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Florida Marlins from 1970 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilbur Wood</span> American baseball player

Wilbur Forrester Wood Jr. is an American former professional baseball pitcher. In a 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he pitched for the Boston Red Sox (1961–64), the Pittsburgh Pirates (1964–65), and the Chicago White Sox (1967–78). A knuckleball specialist after joining the White Sox, he threw left-handed and batted right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Niekro</span> American baseball player

Lance William Niekro is a baseball coach and former first baseman, who is the current head baseball coach of the Florida Southern Moccasins. He played college baseball at Florida Southern for coach Chuck Anderson from 1999 to 2000 and then played four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2003 to 2007. After his playing career concluded, he served as an assistant coach at Florida Southern and then was elevated to the head coach position on May 9, 2012. He is the son of MLB pitcher Joe Niekro and nephew of MLB pitcher Phil Niekro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. A. Dickey</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1974)

Robert Allen Dickey is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Haeger</span> American baseball player (1983–2020)

Charles Wallis Haeger was an American professional baseball player. He was one of the few knuckleball pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot at the Grand Canyon on October 3, 2020, shortly after the suspected murder of his ex-girlfriend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battery (baseball)</span>

In baseball, the battery is the pitcher and the catcher, who may also be called batterymen, or batterymates in relation to one another.

Eri Yoshida is a Japanese professional baseball player. She plays as a sidearm knuckleball pitcher. In 2008, at the age of 16, she became the first woman drafted by a Japanese men's professional baseball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Wright (baseball)</span> American baseball player

Steven Richard Wright is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Wright has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, having made his MLB debut in 2013; he was an All-Star in 2016. He is known for his knuckleball pitch.

<i>Knuckleball!</i> 2012 documentary film about baseball

Knuckleball! is a 2012 documentary film that follows the 2011 seasons of Tim Wakefield and R. A. Dickey, Major League Baseball's only knuckleball pitchers that year. It was released in theaters on September 20, 2012, and on DVD on April 2, 2013. Wakefield won his 200th game in 2011 and Dickey won the 2012 Cy Young Award.

Frank John Viola III is an American professional baseball pitcher who is retired. He played for the Chicago White Sox Organization twice and also played for the Independent League St. Paul Saints (2010), and in the Toronto Blue Jays organization (2014). Viola is the son of major league pitcher and 1988 Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola and the brother of 2008 and 2011 NCAA Champion platform diver and 2012 Olympian, Brittany Viola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emery ball</span> Illegal baseball pitch

An emery ball is an illegal pitch in baseball, in which the ball has been altered by scuffing it with a rough surface, such as an emery board or sandpaper. This technique alters the spin of the ball, causing it to move in an atypical manner, as more spin makes the ball rise, while less spin makes the ball drop. The general term for altering the ball in any way is doctoring. The emery ball differs from the spitball, in which the ball is doctored by applying saliva or Vaseline. Vaseline or saliva smooths the baseball, while the emery paper roughens it.

References

  1. 1 2 James, Bill; and Neyer, Rob. "The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers", via Google Books, p. 40. Simon & Schuster, 2004. ISBN   0-7432-6158-5. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  2. ↑ Effrat, Louis. "Wilhelm Scores Over Ditmar, 3–2 - Breeding and Woodling Bat In Oriole Runs in 5th to Conquer Yankees", New York Times , May 28, 1960. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  3. 1 2 Bolster, John. "The Dying Art of the Knuckleball", Sports Illustrated , June 27, 2008. Accessed April 14, 2009.
  4. ↑ Sullivan, Paul. "Will knuckleballers become extinct? Unlikely anytime soon", Chicago Tribune , August 26, 2015. Accessed October 15, 2017. "While he was glad to discuss the subject, McCarver doesn't think the lack of knuckleballers today means anything. 'There were never a lot of them,' he said. 'There are a couple in the Hall of Fame. It's a hard pitch to control, a hard pitch to catch, a hard pitch to hit. But as (former catcher) Bob Uecker used to say, "The best way to catch a knuckleball is wait until it stops rolling and pick it up."'"
  5. 1 2 Barra, Allen (May 26, 2003). "Baseball; 300-Victory Club Becomes Tougher to Join". New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Tigers purchase Gene Bearden". Eugene Register-Guard . April 27, 1951. p. 6.
  7. ↑ Gene Bearden, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed September 13, 2012.
  8. ↑ Boswell, Thomas. "Daniel Boone's kin pitching for Orioles", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , March 31, 1990. Accessed April 14, 2009.
  9. ↑ Danny Boone, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Twelve Books of 1970", New York Times, December 6, 1970. Accessed April 14, 2009.
  11. ↑ Jim Bouton, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  12. ↑ Effrat, Louis. "Bomber's 14-Hit Assault Helps Sturdivant Rout Athletics, 10–1; Mantle Poles 19th Homer of Year for Yanks in 8th - Bauer Extends Streak Single Scores Berra First-Inning Dispute", New York Times, June 15, 1957. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  13. ↑ Wally Burnette, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Dodgers Sign Candiotti, Hershiser; Moves Come as Morgan Departs for Cubs, $12.5 Million Deal", Washington Post , December 4, 1991. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  15. ↑ Tom Candiotti, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  16. ↑ Eddie Cicotte, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Notebook | R. A. Dickey knuckles way into rotation", Seattle Times , June 13, 2008. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  18. ↑ R.A. Dickey, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed October 15, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Ryan Feierabend Brought the Knuckleball Back to the Majors". FanGraphs Baseball. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  20. ↑ "Glavine, Smoltz Stop Giants, 1–0", Los Angeles Times , August 15, 2002. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  21. ↑ Jared Fernandez, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  22. ↑ Tramel, Berry (August 16, 2008). "Foes Knuckled Under to Eddie Fisher". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  23. ↑ Hill, Benjamin (April 26, 2013). "Knuckleball gives Gamboa new life". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  24. ↑ Berg, Ted (July 1, 2013). "Is Orioles minor league knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa the next R. A. Dickey?". ftw.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  25. ↑ Kuttler, Hillel (August 12, 2013). "A Fluttering Boost to Flickering Hopes". The New York Times. p. D4. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Haefner Awaits Waivers – Still on Senators' Suspended List as White Sox Seek Him". New York Times. Associated Press. July 16, 1949. p. 9. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Mickey Haefner". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
  28. ↑ Van Dyck, Dave. "Strained groin could keep Thome on bench", Chicago Tribune , June 3, 2006. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  29. ↑ Charlie Haeger, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  30. ↑ Jesse Haines, Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum . Accessed April 13, 2009.
  31. ↑ McGowen, Deane. "Jesse Haines, Pitcher, Dies at 85; Hall of Famer Won 210 Games; Known for Knuckleball", New York Times, August 7, 1978. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  32. ↑ Jesse Haines, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  33. ↑ Kurkjian, Tim. "Florida's Aflutter: Old knuckleballer Charlie Hough showed the new Marlins and their boisterous fans how to win on the first Opening Day in the Sunshine State", Sports Illustrated , April 12, 1993. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  34. ↑ Charlie Hough, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 5, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Streetcar Series", Time , October 9, 1944. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  36. ↑ Dutch Leonard, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 5, 2009.
  37. ↑ Amore, Dom. "Two Minors In History; Astros, White Sox: Forgettable Pasts", Hartford Courant , October 21, 2005. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  38. ↑ Ted Lyons, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 5, 2009.
  39. ↑ Lew Moren, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 5, 2009.
  40. ↑ Goldstein, Richard. "Joe Niekro, a Master of the Knuckleball, Is Dead at 61", New York Times, October 29, 2006. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  41. ↑ Joe Niekro, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  42. ↑ Phil Niekro, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  43. ↑ Phil Niekro, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  44. ↑ Fullerton, Hugh Jr. (January 16, 1948). "Sports Roundup". Prescott Evening Courier – via newspapers.com. Associated Press. p. section 2, page 1. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Johnny Niggeling". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  46. ↑ Bettendorf, Elizabeth. "Pitcher Papai Made Batters Knuckle Under", St. Louis Post-Dispatch , March 28, 1993. Page F2. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  47. ↑ Al Papai, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  48. ↑ "Knuckleballer Bob Purkey Dead at 78", United Press International , March 10, 2008. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  49. ↑ Bob Purkey, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  50. ↑ Borzi, Pat. "Clemens Not Enough For Sox - Milwaukee's Knuckleballer Steve Sparks Stymies The Stumbling Red Sox, 9–1.", Maine Sunday Telegram , June 18, 1995. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  51. ↑ Steve Sparks, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 11, 2009.
  52. ↑ "Dennis Springer Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  53. ↑ Deale, Tim. "Eddie Rommel". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Ed Rommel Dies; Pitching Star, 72 – Worked as Umpire 22 Years After 12 With Athletics". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 28, 1970. p. 27. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Oh So Close For Wakefield: Knuckleballer's No-hit Effort Stopped In 9th". Dallas Morning News . Associated Press. June 20, 2001. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  56. ↑ "Tim Wakefield". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Knuckleballer to make MLB debut vs. Nats". AJ Cassavell . June 23, 2023.
  58. ↑ Matt Waldron, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed September 13, 2012.
  59. ↑ Hoyt Wilhelm, Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Accessed October 9, 2011.
  60. ↑ via Baseball-Reference.com. Hoyt Wilhelm. Accessed October 9, 2011.
  61. ↑ "Truman To Toss First Ball Today – President Sets Record as Only White House Southpaw for Senators-Red Sox Opening". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 16, 1946. p. 35. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  62. ↑ "Roger Wolff". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  63. ↑ Smith, Tim Alan. "Wilbur Wood, Knuckleballer", Sports Illustrated , December 24, 2001. Accessed April 13, 2009.
  64. ↑ Wilbur Wood, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  65. ↑ "Steven Wright Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.