Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues

Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues

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Home › Pitching › Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues

Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in MLB History


The Most Comprehensive List Since 2008

Welcome, Mythbusters/Tested.com readers!




The question of which pitcher throws the hardest has been one of the most hotly debated questions in all of sports. For the first time, we now have the missing data required to allow us finally reveal the fastest pitchers ever recorded.

Related: Aroldis Chapman did not throw 106 mph on 4/18/2011


Fastest Pitchers Ever (UPDATED through 2012)
Speed(mph)MethodPitcherYearThrowsLineupHt/WtERA/
SO per 162 games
108.1 FFEdoppler laser radarNolan Ryan1974RHPStarter6-2/1953.19/ 246
107.6 FFEartilleryBob Feller1946RHPStarter6-0/1853.25/ 167
105.1Pitch F/XAroldis Chapman2010LHPReliever6-4/185rookie '10
104.8Pitch F/XJoel Zumaya2006RHPReliever6-3/2103.15('09)/
85('09)
103.4
(u3)		Pitch F/XNeftali Feliz2010RHPCloser6-3/2152.73 ('10)/ 81 thru 2012
103.2
(u3)		Pitch F/XHenry Rodriguez2010RHPReliever6-1/2154.55 ('10)/ 74 thru 2012
103 *
Spring Training		radarMark Wohlers1995RHPCloser6-4/2073.97/ 71
102.8
(u3)		Pitch F/XKelvin Herrera2012RHPReliever5-10/1902.35('12)/ 67
102.6Pitch F/XJonathan Broxton2009RHPCloser6-4/2952.92('09)/ n/a
102.5
(u3)		Pitch F/XBobby Parnell2010 (and 2011)RHPReliever6-4/2002.83 ('10)/ 62 thru 2012
102.5 FFEartillerySteve Dalkowski1958LHPStarter5-11/1755.57/ n/a
102.2Pitch F/XBrian Wilson2009RHPCloser6-1/1953.73('09)/ n/a
102.0
(u3)		Pitch F/XAndrew Cashner2012RHPReliever6-6/2004.27 ('12)/ 76
102radarBobby Jenks2005RHPCloser6-3/2753.21/ n/a
102radarRandy Johnson2004LHPStarter6-10/2253.29('09)/
271 ('09)
102TV radarBrad Lidge2006RHPCloser6-5/2153.56('09)/
94('09)
102radarMatt Lindstrom2007RHPReliever6-3/2203.88('09)/
51('09)
102FSN TV radarJustin Verlander2007RHPStarter6-5/2253.92('09)/
192('09)
102radarArmando Benitez2002RHPCloser6-4/2603.13/ 84
102radarRobb Nen1997RHPCloser6-5/2202.98/ 83

FFE=50 foot equivalent
Today's MLB standard uses pitch speed measured at 50 feet from home plate. See detailed calculations in that pitcher's section below.



Pitch F/X Era

2012 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (u3)

Source - manual review of FanGraphs.com PITCH F/X data, and MLB PITCH F/X details

14 pitchers threw 100+ mph in 2012.

  • 102.8, Kelvin Herrera (Royals), 4/17/2012 9th inning closer vs. Don Kelly (Tigers) at Kauffman Stadium, fouled off, 92.5 plate speed
  • 102.7, Aroldis Chapman (Reds), 8/11/2012, 9th inning closer vs. Starlin Castro (Cubs) at Wrigley Field, ball, 93.1 plate speed
  • 102.0, Andrew Cashner (Padres), 5/12/2012 8th inning relief vs. John Mayberry (Phillies) at Citizens Bank Park, ball, 93.1 mph plate speed
  • 101.5, Bobby Parnell (Mets)
  • 101.5, Justin Verlander (Tigers)
  • 101.4, Henry Rodriguez (Nationals)
8 other pitchers threw 100+ but less than 101 mph. Carter Capps (100.9), Trevor Rosenthal (100.9), Fernando Rodney (100.4), Jason Motte (100.1), Nate Jones (100.1), Jonathan Broxton (100.1), Alexi Ogando (100.0), and John Axford (100.0)


Fastest Pitcher divider

2011 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (u3)

Source - manual review of FanGraphs.com PITCH F/X data, and MLB PITCH F/X details

11 pitchers threw 100+ mph in 2011.

  • 103.4, Aroldis Chapman (Reds), 4/9/2011 8th inning vs. Miguel Montero (Diamondbacks) at Chase Field, ball in dirt, plate speed 95.9 mph
  • 102.5, Bobby Parnell (Mets), 6/29/2011 7th inning vs. Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) at Comerica Park, ball, plate speed 92.3 mph
  • 101.4, Henry Rodriguez (Nationals)
  • 101.4, Justin Verlander (Tigers)
  • 101.2, Maikel Cleto (Cardinals)
6 other pitchers threw 100+ but less than 101 mph. Neftali Feliz (100.8), Jordan Walden (100.6), Daniel Bard (100.5), Jeremy Jeffress (100.4), Chris Carpenter (100.2), and Craig Kimbrell (100.0)


Fastest Pitcher divider

Henry Rodriguez throwing 101 mph in 2010 (u4)

2010 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (u3)

Source - manual review of FanGraphs.com PITCH F/X data, and MLB PITCH F/X details

17 pitchers threw 100+ mph in 2010.

  • 105.1, Aroldis Chapman (Reds), 9/24/2010 8th inning, vs. Tony Gwynn Jr. (Padres) a PETCO Park, ball, plate speed 96.5 mph
  • 103.4, Neftali Feliz (Rangers), 9/1/2010 entered 9th inning in relief, vs. Mike Aviles (Royals) at Kauffman Stadium, ball, plate speed 91.7 mph
  • 103.2, Henry Rodriguez (Athletics), 9/15/2010 reliever 7th inning, vs. Mike Aviles (Royals) at Kauffman Stadium - 93.0 plate speed, ball for walk
  • 102.5, Bobby Parnell (Mets), 8/18/2010 entered 11th inning, vs. Chris Johnson (Astros) at Minute Maid Park, swinging strikeout, 93.4 plate speed
  • 102.2, Joel Zumaya (Tigers), 5/28/2010, entered 9th inning vs. Landon Powell (Athletics) at Comerica Park, ball, 93.5 plate speed
  • 101.6, Justin Verlander (Tigers)
  • 101.5, Jordan Walden (Angels)
10 other pitchers threw 100+ but less than 101 mph. Daniel Bard (100.8), Stephen Strasburg (100.4), Chris Sale (100.3), Alexi Ogando (100.2), Jonathan Broxton (100.2), Jason Motte (100.1), Ubaldo Jimenez (100.1), Andrew Cashner (100.1), Fernando Rodney (100.1), Kyle Farnsworth (100.1)


Fastest Pitcher divider

2009 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (qty 100+ for year)

Source - eFastball.com PITCH F/X data, and MLB PITCH F/X details

16 pitchers threw 100+ mph in 2009.

  • 102.7 (138),Joel Zumaya (Tigers), 6/30/2009, Oakland Coliseum
  • 102.6 (39), Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers), 7/3/2009, PETCO Park
  • 102.2 (16), Brian Wilson (Giants), 9/5/2009, Miller Park
  • 101.3 (12), Daniel Bard (Red Sox), 7/30/2009, Fenway Park
  • 101.1 (14), Neftali Feliz (Rangers), 8/7/2009, Angel Stadium Anaheim
  • 101.0 (15), Justin Verlander (Tigers), 9/19/2009, Metrodome
10 other pitchers threw 100+ but less than 101 mph. Bobby Parnell 100.9 (3), Henry Rodriguez 100.6 (11), Ubaldo Jimenez 100.6 (14), Juan Morillo 100.3 (1), Matt Lindstrom 100.2 (1), Merkin Valdez 100.2 (1), Kyle Farnsworth 100.2 (4), Fernando Rodney 100.1 (1), Kevin Jepsen 100.0 (1), and Mark Lowe 100.0 (1).

In the 2009 World Series, no 100+ mph pitches were thrown - Joba Chamberlain was fastest at 97.1 on 11/1/2009. In the 2009 postseason, 3 100+ mph pitches were thrown - Jonathan Broxton 101.3 (2), Daniel Bard 100.6 (3), and Ubaldo Jimenez 100.0 (4).


Fastest Pitcher divider

2008 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (qty 100+ for year)

Source - eFastball.com PITCH F/X data, and MLB PITCH F/X details

10 pitchers threw 100+ mph in 2008.

  • 101.3 (32), Joel Zumaya (Tigers), 6/20/2008, PETCO Park (corrected 12/11/12 - see update note u2)
  • 101.0 (12), Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers), 8/21/2008, Dodger Stadium
  • 101.0 (9), Matt Lindstrom (Marlins), 7/10/2008, Dodger Stadium
7 other pitchers threw 100+ but less than 101 mph. Ervin Santana (2), Ubaldo Jimenez (3), Brandon League (2) (added - see update u2), Fernando Rodney (1), Brian Wilson (1), Joba Chamberlain (1), Juan Morillo (3).

In the 2008 World Series, no 100+ mph pitches were thrown.


Fastest Pitcher divider

2007 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (u3)

Source - manual review of FanGraphs.com PITCH F/X data, and MLB PITCH F/X details

16 pitchers threw 100+ mph in 2007.

  • 102.2, Joel Zumaya (Tigers)
  • 101.7, Justin Verlander (Tigers), (6/12/2007 vs. Brewers?)
  • 101.6, Felix Hernandez (Mariners)
  • 101.6, J.J. Putz (Mariners)
  • 101.4, Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers)
  • 101.2, Ubaldo Jimenez (Rockies)
  • 101.0, Joba Chamberlain (Yankees)
9 other pitchers threw 100+ but less than 101 mph. Kyle Farnsworth (100.9), Daniel Cabrera (100.8), Jeremy Guthrie (100.7), Matt Lindstrom (100.6), Jim Hoey (100.5), Dustin McGowan (100.5), Manny DelCarmen (100.2), Jake Peavy (100.2), and A.J. Burnett (100.1).

Standardized Speed Readings - FFE Calculations (u3)

Today's highly accurate PITCH F/X pitch speeds are measured at a point near the pitcher's hand at 50 feet from the plate. Many earlier 'radar' and artillery measuring methods used varying distances along this spectrum to measure the speed of the ball. Therefore, it's not easy to compare, say, Nolan Ryan's well known speed record of 100.9 mph to other pitchers' radar readings, or even today's PITCH F/X speeds.

We know that typical pitch speeds drop 8-11 mph (average 9 mph) from 50 ft away to the front of the plate.

So, we make an adjustment, based on the known distance used and an estimated speed drop, to standardize all known pitch speeds to what we refer to as a 'Fifty Foot Equivalent'.

Fastest Pitcher Biographies

Top view - Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues
Nolan Ryan's Delivery

Nolan Ryan - The Fastest - 108.1 mph FFE in 1974

Top view - Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues Top view - Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues
   Ryan's 2nd fastest pitch 9/7/1974 (a)
Top view - Fastest Pitchers Ever Recorded in the Major Leagues
Compare Nolan Ryan and Joel Zumaya

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Our best estimate is that Nolan Ryan's pitch in 1974 was 108.1 mph FFE using today's standard of measurement at 50 feet from the plate.

Nolan Ryan was recorded by some Rockwell International scientists (likely by a coherent laser radar) at 100.9 mph, at 9-10 feet from plate (h), on 8/20/1974 in Anaheim Stadium (Angels) and the speed was verified by the Guinness Book of World Records (a). This record stands to this day.

The news of the new record created such a sensation that the Angels decided to have a promotion where fans would get to guess Ryan's fastest speed at the next home game. Ryan's pitch in that game reached 100.8 mph (at 9-10 feet from plate) on 9/7/1974 (a). See chart.

Today's pitch speeds are measured from 50 feet away from the plate, but Ryan's was measured at 10 feet. Pitch speeds drop 8-11 mph (average 9 mph) from 50 ft away to the front of the plate. So we must add 6-8 mph to the speed measured by Rockwell in order to be equivalent to today's readings.

Therefore, Nolan Ryan's pitching speed as measured today would be at minimum 106 mph and could have been as high as 110 mph.

How did we arrive at 108.1 mph? The facts are 100.9 at 10 feet, plus 9 mph drop per 50 feet. So add 7.2 mph (9/50*40) to 100.9 to get 108.1 mph.

The speed of the ball as it crossed the plate would have been 99.1 mph - calculated as 100.9 at 10 feet less (9/50X10) or 1.8 mph. (u3)

In the Sports Illustrated article Speed Trap For An Angel on 9/16/1974 Ron Fimrite reported:
As Ryan mowed down the Chicago White Sox 3-1 last Saturday for his 18th win of the season, a team of electronics technicians from Rockwell International fidgeted upstairs in the press box with some complicated radar timing equipment. The results supported Ryan's own contention that he throws harder in the late innings, for his fastest pitch of the night was the third one he threw to the Sox' Bee Bee Richard, who led off the ninth inning. Rockwell timed that high hard one at 100.8 mph, exceeding the 98.6 mph once recorded by Bob Feller with entirely different equipment.

Under less official conditions Ryan had thrown even faster. During an 11-inning game on Aug. 20 in which Ryan fanned 19 Detroit Tigers, the technicians timed two of his pitches at 100.9 miles per hour.


Fastest Pitcher divider

Bob Feller - 2nd Fastest - 107.6 mph FFE in 1946


Bob Feller's record pitch in 1946
In early 1946, the Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith set up an exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians and, in an effort to boost sagging attendance, started a promotion where he told fans they could see how fast the Indians' Bob Feller could throw. He borrowed a photo-electric cell device from the Aberdeen, MD ordinance plant so Feller could pitch through it just prior to the game.(j)(q) These devices were used to measure the speed of artillery rounds during the war.

The problem was, he never told Feller until he got to the field. So on August 20, 1946, Bob Feller threw approximately 30 pitches in front of 31,000 fans (20,000 more than normal) into a device the newsreels called a "luma line chronograph" using "photo electric cells".

He pitched from the mound through a v-shaped opening in the device located just in front of the plate.

His fastest speed recorded was 98.6 mph, but the measurement took place at home plate, or 60 feet from release. To compare his speed to others, you must add the average 9 mph speed drop from 50ft to the plate. Therefore, his pitch speed was 107.6 mph at the equivalent 50 ft mark.



From "Now Pitching, Bob Feller" by Bob Feller and Bill Gilbert, 2002, p. 128-129
Clark Griffith... announced that I would throw some pitches through a special photoelectric measuring device at home plate so my fastball could be clocked in those days before radar guns. He announced the test a week before the Indians came to Washington, and he had a large crowd in his ball park the night of the test. Mr. Griffith came in... He told me it was about time to get out there and start throwing smoke. I told him as soon as he paid me for it. I asked him for $1,000 and settled for $700 before leaving the clubhouse to do it.
For my 700 bucks, I threw several balls through an opening in that photoelectric machine, and 31,000 fans watched almost in silence as they awaited the announcement of the speeds recorded by the machine, which came from Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.
How does that compare to Nolan Ryan?
Ryans' plate speed would have been at least 99 mph (100.9 less 2 mph reduction per 10 feet) and was roughly 0.4 mph faster than Feller's 98.6 mph at the plate.


Bob Feller Speed Test 1946 (u4)

Bob Feller Speed Test 1946 - notice broken frame! (u4)




Bob Feller at 17 Years Old in 1936 (u4)

Still not convinced? Try to hit one going this fast.
Bob Feller's Fastball (u4)




Fastest Pitcher divider

Aroldis Chapman - 3rd Fastest - 105.1 mph in 2010

The Cincinnati Reds' Aroldis Chapman threw 105.1 mph (96.5 mph plate speed) on 9/24/2010 in the 8th inning against Tony Gwynn, Jr. of the San Diego Padres. The slowest pitch he threw in the 8th inning was 99.6 mph.


Aroldis Chapman (u4)

Aroldis Chapman 100 mph vs Posey(u4)







Fastest Pitcher divider

Joel Zumaya - 4th Fastest - 104.8 mph in 2006


Joel Zumaya (u4)

Joel Zumaya (u4)
The Detroit Tiger's Joel Zumaya threw 104.8 mph (93.7 mph plate speed) on 10/10/2006 in a post-season game (the first game in the American League Championship series where they beat Oakland 5-1) at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. It was 63° with the wind blowing left to right when the game started. Oakland's Frank Thomas was the 2nd batter he faced in the 8th inning. The record-breaking throw was the 3rd pitch on a 1-1 count and was thrown outside for a ball.

This was measured at 45-50 feet away from the plate using MLB's very accurate gameday video system that is in use today.

How does that compare to Nolan Ryan?
Ryans' plate speed would have been at least 99 mph (100.9 less 2 mph reduction per 10 feet) and was roughly 5 mph faster than Zumaya's 93.7 mph at the plate.

June 2009 - 102.7 mph

This is the 104 mph Fox radar display on 6/23/2009 after striking out Milton Bradley in the 8th. The actual Pitch F/X readings for Zumaya vs. Bradley were 101.4 (swinging strike), 102.7 (ball), 101.6 (foul), and 102.2 mph for the above strikeout pitch. So this gun was either 1.3+ mph too fast, or it happened to pick up the speed within the first 3-4 feet out of his hand, or before 50 feet from the plate.

Zumaya threw another 102.7 mph pitch on 6/30/2009 in the 7th inning against Oakland's Matt Holliday for a foul tip on a 3-2 count.

June 23, 2006 104 mph radar

Several sources indicate that Zumaya threw a pitch on 6/23/2006 in the 10th against the Cardinals which registered 104 mph on stadium radar - 4 others were 100+. We are told the announcer said the reading could not have been right (haha).


Understanding Pitch Speed Measurements

Most important - Where was the pitch measured?

A 100 mph fastball pitch will lose 8-11 mph (average 9 mph) from just out of the pitchers hand (50 feet way) until it reaches the front of the plate.

Was the measurement taken at the plate? 50 feet away? Most confusion over comparing pitch speeds arises over this issue.

Radar guns can provide fastest speed, slowest speed and average speed. So, on a 100 mph pitch a gun could provide readings of 100, 91 and 96 mph on the same pitch. Different parks and venues display different readings.

Where along the flight path was the fastest speed measured? Nobody knows. So, it's possible a radar gun could provide a slower than actual reading if the gun caught the ball closer to the plate.

However, a radar gun should not provide a reading that is too high (except for rounding up), regardless of what you read in blogs and articles.

How accurate is MLB Enhanced Gameday (PITCH F/X) pitching speed?

Very accurate. There is no more accurate system for measuring pitch speed. The MLB Enhanced Gameday system was started in the 2006 postseason. They rolled out the system to 28 of the 30 parks in 2007. At the start of the 2008 season, all 30 ballparks had this capability. (g)

This system does not use radar guns. Each park's system utilizes 2 high speed video cameras (60 frames per second), a setup crew to layout a grid before each game, and a crew in the truck sizing up each batter, pitcher and pitch using computer software. See Dr. Alan Nathan's Guide to Pitch F/X.

This system provides 2 different speed stats - 50 feet from the plate and just in front of the plate.

Radar Guns

Stadium Radar Gun Displays



Radar guns are regularly lampooned unfairly in the press and in blogs. Radar gun readings are very accurate, but they may vary by gun brand. The best are within 0.5 mph because they display results rounded to the nearest 1 mph. Home guns can be within 1.0 mph. That's very accurate.

Radar Guns should theoretically only give slower readings not faster readings

The gun may give a slower reading if the angle of the gun is not the same angle as the pitched ball. The bigger the difference, the slower the reading.

The biggest confusion over gun readings is where the reading is taken from (how far is the ball from the plate?). Was the reading out of the pitcher's hand, over the plate, or somewhere in the middle? Some guns pick up the fastest speed, some pick up the speed at 15 feet out of the hand, some over the plate, etc. Obviously, the ball will be fastest right out of the pitcher's hand and will slow down as much as 11 mph as it approaches the plate.

Given the above, it is unlikely that a radar gun would ever provide a reading that is over 2 mph too high.

However, there would be inconsistencies between parks as the gun may be shooting at different plate distances.

Coherent Laser Radar (Doppler)

From Tom Lederer in Remembering the Ryan Express in Baseball Analysts quotes the 9/2/1974 LA Times article by Dan Hafner giving a preview of the 9/7 event:
A device called a coherent infrared radar, developed by Rockwell International, will measure the velocity of Ryan's fastball. Other devices have clocked nine other major league fireballers and the fastest of the nine was Bob Feller, at 98.6 m.p.h. in 1946. The Cleveland star was 27, Ryan's age now.

But the comparison will be exact. Rockwell International calls its device the most sophisticated ever used to measure the speed of a thrown baseball.

The machine will operate from the press box, making use of a phenomenon called the Doppler frequency shift.

The infrared beam from a low-power transmitter is aimed at a spot 9 or 10 feet in front of home plate. Because infrared wave lengths are 20 times longer than those of visible light waves, the beam cannot be seen.

As the ball crosses the beam, the waves are compressed by the motion of the ball and reflected back to the equipment. The returning waves have less spacing between them than when they were transmitted. The device measures that difference to determine the ball's speed.

There's no guarantee that Ryan's fastest pitch will be timed. The narrower the beam, the more accurate the measurement, so the beam will be narrowed to the width of home plate. Ryan, who is sometimes wild, may miss it with his best throw.
Fastest Pitcher divider

Radar Gun Era

100+ mph Pitchers Measured with Radar Guns

Only pitchers that were measured and documented are listed
HardballTimes says there have been many pitchers since 2002 to reach the 100 mph mark.

SeasonQty
100+ mph pitches		Qty
Season Leader		Name
Season Leader
200210642Billy Wagner
2003204159Billy Wagner
20048230Kyle Farnsworth
200513437Daniel Cabrera
2006335233Joel Zumaya


Mark Wohlers

Mark Wohlers - 7th Fastest - 103 mph in 1995

Mark Wohlers threw 103 mph several times on the stadium radar gun during a March 1995 Spring Training Game against the Marlins in Joe Robbie Stadium.(p)

102 mph (radar)

  • Bobby Jenks (b), 8/27/2005, Safeco Field (Mariners), Seattle (103 mph in Winter ball) (r)
  • Matt Lindstrom (b), 5/16/2007, PNC Park (Pirates), Pittsburgh
  • Justin Verlander (b,d,e), 6/12/2007, Comerica Park (Tigers), Detroit

    Former Players
  • Armando Benitez (b), 5/24/2002, Shea Stadium (Mets), NYC
  • Randy Johnson (b), 7/9/2004, Pac Bell Park (SF Giants), San Fran
  • Brad Lidge, Astros (c), 2006 season
  • Robb Nen (b), 10/23/1997, Jacobs Field (Indians), Cleveland

101 mph (radar)

  • David Aardsma, Cubs (c), 2006 season
  • Jonathan Broxton (b,d), 6/26/2007, Chase Field (DBacks), Arizona
  • A.J. Burnett (b), 5/31/2005, PNC Park (Pirates), Pittsburgh
  • Daniel Cabrera, Orioles (c), 2006 season
  • Joba Chamberlain (b), 8/24/2007, Comerica Park (Tigers), Detroit
  • Francisco Cordero, Brewers (c), 2006 season
  • Manny Delcarmen, Red Sox (c), 2006 season
  • Kyle Farnsworth (b,f), 5/26/2004, Minute Maid Park (Astros), Houston
  • Mark Lowe, Mariners (c), 2006 season
  • Seth McClung (b,d), 8/21/2007, Chase Field (DBacks), Arizona
  • Guillermo Mota (b), 7/24/2002, Qualcomm Stadium (Padres), San Diego
  • Joe Nathan, Twins (c), 2006 season

    Former Players
  • Rob Dibble (b), 6/8/1992, Candlestick Park (SF Giants)
  • Eric Gagne (b), 4/16/2004, Pac Bell Park (SF Giants), San Fran
  • Jose Mesa (b), 5/1/1993, Cleveland Stadium (Indians)
  • Tony Pena (b), 6/7/2007, AT&T Park (SF Giants), San Fran
  • Billy Wagner (b,d), 7/30/2003, Turner Field (Braves), Atlanta

100 mph (radar)

  • Josh Beckett (b), 10/12/2003, Pro Player Park (Marlins), Miami
  • Bartolo Colon (b), 10/6/1999, Jacobs Field (Indians), Cleveland
  • Rich Harden (b), 5/13/2005, McAfee Stadium (A's), Oakland
  • Ubaldo Jimenez (b,d), 9/10/2007, Citizens Bank Park (Phillies), Phila.
  • Jorge Julio (b), 9/16/2004, Skydome (Blue Jays), Toronto - and again in 2006 (c)
  • Brandon League (b), 7/14/2006, Rogers Centre (Blue Jays), Toronto
  • Radhames Liz (b,d), 8/25/2007, Oriole Park (Orioles), Baltimore
  • Dustin McGowan (b,d), 10/2/2005, Rogers Centre (Blue Jays), Toronto
  • C.C. Sabathia (b), 6/28/2002, Jacobs Field (Indians), Cleveland
  • Ben Sheets (b), 7/10/2004, Miller Park (Brewers), Milwaukee
  • Rafael Soriano (b,d), 5/4/2007, Turner Field (Braves), Atlanta

    Former Players
  • Roger Clemens (b), 10/10/2001, Yankee Stadium, New York
  • J.R. Richard (b), 5/25/1976, Candlestick Park (SF Giants), San Francisco
  • Derrick Turnbow (b), 5/27/2005, Miller Park (Brewers), Milwaukee
  • Kerry Wood (b,d), 8/10/2005, Wrigley Field (Cubs), Chicago


Before Radar Guns

Only pitchers that were measured and documented are listed
Steve Dalkowski
Steve Dalkowski
5'11" 170 lbs.

Steve Dalkowski - 10th Fastest (tied) - 102.5 mph FFE in 1958

In 1958 the Orioles sent Dalkowski to Aberdeen Proving Grounds .. was clocked at 93.5 mph (m) where he threw through a metal box the width of home plate through which a laser was beamed. (n) We understand he pitched into an opening that was used to test bullet/ artillery speeds. He also did not pitch from a mound.

So if we add the 9 mph average speed reduction from the 50ft mark to the plate to get today's equivalent speed, his speed would range from 101.5 to 104.5 and was likely 102.5 mph.

More on White Lightning Dalkowski:



Other Famous Pitchers

In 1917 and 1939, various tests were taken using special "photo-electric pitching meters" with "gravity drop interval recorders". The results were recorded in ft/second and have been converted here to mph.

There is some evidence the 1939 test pitches were thrown from 20 feet away (see Figure 1), so we will assume the tests from 1917 were thrown from the same distance. So at best, you could add 2-4 mph to each of these results to get 50ft equivalent speeds of today. But, as you can see, none of them are close to 100 mph.

Figure 1 - Sep 1939 Popular Science article showing pitching tests in Cleveland
Popular Science 1939 article pitching tests in Cleveland
#11 was likely Ben Chapman who was not a pitcher (however he pitched in 1945/46). There was no #33 on the roster, so that must be one of the coaches. Manager Ossie Vitt was #26.

On 10/16/1912, Walter Johnson and Brooklyn's Nap Rucker, 2 of baseball's fastest pitchers in 1912, went to Bridgeport, CT at the Remington Arms Co. bullet testing range.

The device was a 15 foot tunnel of fine wires with a 2ftx2ft opening ending at a steel plate. The ball would trip the wires and register the time and then measure the arrival time at the steel plate. The device was about 60 feet away and was shoulder height, so Johnson had a hard time getting his sidearm pitches through. So, the speed was was actually measured at 75 feet. Johnson's best was 122 fps (82 mph), Rucker's at 113, both on their 3rd and final tries.(k)

In June 1933, the Dodger's Van Lingle Mungo and the Yankee's Lefty Gomez, two of the fastest pitchers of the time, went to West Point's ballistics lab. We dont know how far the device was from the pitchers. We will assume 60 ft for this purpose.

  • Walter Johnson in 1912 (k), 122 fps (83.1 mph) at 75 ft plate, or 95.1 mph FFE
  • Walter Johnson in 1917 (m), 134 fps (91.4 mph) at 20 ft away, or 93.4 mph FFE
  • Nap Rucker in 1912 (k), 113 fps (77.0 mph) at 75 ft plate, or 89 mph FFE
  • Johnny Humphries of Cleveland in 1939 (m), 127 fps (86.6 mph) at 20 ft away, or 88.6 mph FFE
  • Christy Mathewson in 1917 (m), 127 fps (86.6 mph) at 20 ft away, or 88.6 mph FFE
  • Smokey Joe Wood in 1917 (m), 124 fps (84.5 mph) at 20 ft away, or 86.5 mph FFE
  • Van Mungo in 1933, 113 fps (77.0 mph) at 60 ft plate, or 86 mph FFE
  • Jimmy Foxx of Boston in 1939 (m), 122 fps (83.2 mph) at 20 ft away, or 85.2 mph FFE
  • Lefty Gomez in 1933, 111 fps (75.7 mph) at 60 ft plate, or 84.7 mph FFE
  • Bob Feller of Cleveland in 1939 (m), 119 fps (81.1 mph) at 20 ft away, or 83.1 mph FFE




Why Isn't Sidd Finch's 168 mph On This List? What about Goose Gossage at 103 mph?

George Plimpton wrote an article in Sports Illustrated on April 1, 1985 about an up and coming Mets pitcher named Sidd Finch that threw 168 mph as measured by the new JUGS radar guns.

Well, it turns out the article was an elaborate April Fools Joke... a hoax. The Mets organization was in on it.

In 2013, Sports Illustrated themselves fell for the hoax. We noticed in the 3/8/2013 SI article that Goose Gossage threw 103 mph. The source link is George Plimpton's April Fools 1985 hoax article above. Considering the nature of the Plimpton article, we have our doubts about 103 mph for the Goose.

The Sidd Finch article says "The highest number that the JUGS had ever turned for a baseball was 103 mph, which it did, curiously, twice on one day, July 11, at the 1978 All-Star game when both Goose Gossage and Nolan Ryan threw the ball at that speed."

ahem...Nolan Ryan isn't listed on the roster or the reserve list for the 1978 All Star Game.

The hoax is still alive.

Sources and Updates

Sources

  • (a) As told by the Tom Lederer, the pitcher who first tested the laser in Rockwell's parking lot, at BaseballAnalysts.com. Note the Angels were scared to call the device by it's correct name, laser radar, and instead called it "infrared radar" in the press.
    Guinness Book of World Records page
  • (b) Taken from stadium radar gun during a game per baseball-almanac.com
  • (c) Per ESPN.com Jerry Crasnick article sources Damon Lichtenwalner, Baseball Info Solutions.
  • (d) Baseball Almanac has image of stadium readings
  • (e) Justin Verlander threw 100 mph 19 times in 2006 per ESPN above.
  • (f) Kyle Farnsworth threw 100+ 26 times in 2006.
  • (g) Per MLB article 10/2/2007, 'Pitch-f/x adds insight to watching games'.
  • (h) Dan Hafner in the 9/2/1974 LA Times said "The infrared beam from a low-power transmitter is aimed at a spot 9 or 10 feet in front of home plate."
  • (j) From the book "Ebbets to Veeck to Busch: Eight Owners Who Shaped Baseball", by Alan Boxerman, 2003
  • (k) Per "Walter Johnson, Baseball's Big Train", by Henry Thomas, pp. 104-105 and Baseball Magazine article by F.C. Lane
  • (m) Per baseball-almanac.com
  • (n) Per HardballTimes and Pete McEntegart, Sports Illustrated, 6/30/2003
  • (p) Per Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, 10/9/1995, and The Baltimore Sun, 9/17/1995 page 2
    "Marlins pitching coach Larry Rothschild on Braves closer Mark Wohlers, after watching him consistently hit 103 on the speed gun... Wohlers wasn't under 100 the whole time"
  • (q) Per NY Times April 15, 1990 article by Dave Anderson, page 2 where he interviewed Feller
    My fastball was once timed at 98.6 mph by photo-electric cells at home plate, but by then it was losing speed, maybe as much as 15 mph. That was long before the radar gun they use now... On a radar gun, I would have averaged 105 to 107 mph.
  • (r) Per MLB.com writer Doug Miller in a 4/21/2004 article:
    Jenks, 23, is one of the hardest-throwing prospects in baseball, with a fastball that regularly reaches 98-100 mph and registered 103 mph on a radar gun in Puerto Rico last winter.

Updates

  • 3/8/2013 added Sidd Finch section. 5/11/2013 consolidated the Sidd Finch info into one section.
  • (u4) 12/13/2012 added animated GIFs for Feller, Chapman, Rodriguez, Zumaya
  • 12/13/2012 Moved Lidge, Wagner, Gagne, Pena, Turnbow, Kerry Wood, and Randy Johnson to 'Former Players' section of radar readings.
  • 12/13/2012 NYT articles link at source (q) was corrected
  • 12/13/2012 Expired link at source (p) The Sporting News, 9/25/1995 was replaced with active link at The Baltimore Sun, 9/17/1995 page 2
  • (u3) 12/11/2012 added 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012 fastest pitchers from manual review of Fangraph PITCH F/X data, appended by the MLB PITCH F/X detail data. Added 'source' info under Pitch F/X section. Dalkowski now 10th fastest (was 6th). Wohlers now 7th fastest (was 4th). Added Nolan Ryan plate speed calculation. Added FFE section to explain the FFE calculations.
  • (u2) 12/11/2012 verified my 2008 and 2009 Pitch F/X info against FanGraphs version and discovered my error in 2008 Joel Zumaya max speed was actually 101.3 not 101.0 (my version rounded Zumaya from 101.3 to 101.0). Added source note to 2008 and 2009 data.
  • 12/5/2012 corrected Pitch F/X definition - uses only 2 cameras, not 3. They are apparently 60 fps, not 30 fps. Added Dr. Nathan's Pitch F/X Guide link.
  • 3/10/2010 approx. added more radar gun explanations and images
  • late 2009 added 2009 Pitch F/X records
  • late 2008, but before 2/11/2009, added 2008 Pitch F/X records
  • 12/14/2008 approx. added most of 'Pre Radar' section
  • 8/11/2008 original page, blog post on 8/12/2008


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