2014 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ - through 10/5/2014 [qty 100+/101+/102+/103+]

• 103.8 [395/207/67/11] Aroldis Chapman (Reds), closer, 7/28/2014 9th inning vs Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt 5th pitch, in Cincinnati, 95.6 mph plate speed Chapman threw an amazing 395 pitches - 62% of his fastballs and 42% of his total pitches - 100 mph or more this season
• on DL, Bruce Rondon (Tigers), reliever
• 99.2 Henry Alberto Rodriguez (Nationals), reliever
• 102.0 [53/5/1] Yordano Ventura (Royals), 10/3/2014, starter (2013 rookie)
• 101.4 [79/5] Kelvin Herrera (Royals), reliever (twice, 7/30 vs. Josh Willingham, and 10/22 vs. Giant's Brandon Belt in World Series Game 2)
• 100.5 [9] Trevor Rosenthal (Cardinals), reliever (on 8/3/14)
• 100.9 [21] Carlos Martinez (Cardinals), starter
• 99.9 Craig Kimbrel (Braves), closer
• 100.0 [1] Gerrit Cole (Pirates), starter (2013 rookie)

• 101.0 [8/1] Ken Giles, Phillies closer, 9th vs. Ian Desmond, 8/27/14
• 101.0 [20/1] Erik Cordier, Giants rookie (7th inning vs. Matt McBride 9/3/2014) (his first MLB pitch was 100.4 mph on 9/3/2014)
• 100.9 [6] Carter Capps, Marlins reliever, 7th vs. Matt Kemp, 5/3/14
• 100.5 [1] Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays closer (9th inning vs Jorge Soler 9/10/2014)
• 100.4 [4] Dellin Betances, Yankees 8/2/14
• 100.2 [1] Jake McGee, Rays reliever (vs Edwin Encarnacion 5/28/2014)
• 100.2 [1] Mike Foltynewicz, Astros rookie closer (9th inning vs Rangers' Rougned Odor 8/9/2014)
• 100.1 [1] Jumbo Diaz, Reds rookie reliever (6th inning vs Casey McGehee 8/9/14)
• 100.0 [1] Jake Diekman, Phillies reliever (vs Giancarlo Stanton 6/26/2014)
• 100.0 [1] Hunter Strickland, Giants rookie reliever, 10/3/2014 6th inning vs. Nationals' Ian Desmond

2014 PostSeason included above

2014 World Series included above

2014 Preseason not included above

2013 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ [qty 100+/101+/102+/103+/104+] u5 (7/31/2014) u9 (10/2/2014)

• 104.0, [215/93/27/10/1] Aroldis Chapman (Reds), 7/12/2013, 9th inning closer vs. Freddie Freeman (Braves) 3rd pitch at Turner Field Atlanta, ball, 95.3 mph plate speed
• 102.8, [113/47/11] Bruce Rondon (Tigers rookie), 8/7/2013, 8th inning relief vs. Ryan Raburn (Indians) 4th pitch in Cleveland, swinging strike, 93.9 mph plate speed (makes 102+ list)
• 102.3, [30/9/3] Henry Alberto Rodriguez (last game with Nationals), 6/1/2013, 10th inning relief vs. Evan Gattis (Braves) at Turner Field Atlanta, ball, 94.6 mph plate speed
• 101.9, [4/1] Yordano Ventura (Royals), 9/17/2013, starter (2013 rookie), 3rd inning vs. Yan Gomes (Indians) at Kauffman Stadium, line drive, 92.8 mph plate speed Correction - added on 7/31/2014
• 101.5, [47/5] Kelvin Herrera (Royals), 6/18/2013 8th inning relief vs. Michael Bourn (Indians) at Cleveland, ball, 92.9 mph plate speed
• 101.4, [18/1] Trevor Rosenthal (Cardinals), reliever (100.9 max 2012) vs. Cesar Izturis 4/8/2013
• 101.3, [6/1] Carlos Martinez (Cardinals), starter (rookie) vs. Junior Lake 9/27/2013
• 101.2, [3/1] Craig Kimbrel (Braves), closer vs. Juan Uribe 10/4/2013 Correction - added on 10/3/2014 u9
• 101.0, [11/1] Gerrit Cole (Pirates), starter (rookie) vs. Alberto Callaspo 6/21/2013

• 100.8 [10] Nate Jones, reliever on 6/5/2013
• 100.7 [7] Fernando Rodney, reliever on 5/21/2013
• 100.6 [4] Jose Dominguez, rookie reliever three times (twice on 6/3/2013, and on 7/12/2013)
• 100.2 [2] Danny Salazar, rookie starter on 10/2/2013 vs. David DeJesus u9
• 100.2 Andrew Cashner, starter on 8/31/2013
• 100.2 Greg Holland, reliever on 6/17/2013
• 100.1 Jeremy Jeffress, reliever on 9/4/2013
• 100.1 Nathan Eovaldi, starter on 8/4/2013
• 100.1 [2] Matt Harvey, starter twice 6/18/2013 and 6/23/2013

2013 PostSeason included above

2013 World Series included above

2014 Preseason not included above

2012 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ [qty 100+/101+/102+] u3 u9

• 102.8, [81/14/2] Kelvin Herrera (Royals), 4/17/2012 9th inning closer vs. Don Kelly (Tigers) at Kauffman Stadium, fouled off, 92.5 plate speed
• 102.7, [163/57/9] Aroldis Chapman (Reds), 8/11/2012, 9th inning closer vs. Starlin Castro (Cubs) at Wrigley Field, ball, 93.1 plate speed u9
• 102.0, [61/13/1] Andrew Cashner (Padres), 5/12/2012 8th inning relief vs. John Mayberry (Phillies) at Citizens Bank Park, ball, 93.1 mph plate speed (see preseason section below for 103.3 mph pitch)
• 101.5, [12/1] Bobby Parnell (Mets), 5/20/2012 8th inning relief vs Yan Gomes (Blue Jays) in Toronto, swinging strike, 91.3 mph plate speed
• 101.5, [21/3] Justin Verlander (Tigers), 5/24/2012 8th inning start vs. Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians) at Progressive Field Cleveland, ball, 94.2 mph plate speed
• 101.4, [26/3] Henry Alberto Rodriguez (Nationals), twice (vs Adam Kennedy and A.J. Ellis) on 4/28/2012
• 101.2, [14/1] Trevor Rosenthal vs. Ryan Zimmerman 10/8/2012 Correction - moved to 101+ list on 10/3/2014 u9
• 101.1, [10/1] Nate Jones (White Sox), vs Gerald Laird 9/2/2012

• 100.9 [16] Carter Capps four times 9/4 8/31 8/24 and 8/24/2012
• 100.4 [3] Fernando Rodney twice on 9/1/2012
• 100.2 [2] Jason Motte on 10/12/2012 u9
• 100.1 [1] Jonathan Broxton on 5/3/2012
• 100.1 [1] Tommy Hunter on 9/22/2012
• 100.0 [2] John Axford twice on 5/28/2012
• 100.0 [1] Alexi Ogando on 8/8/2012

2012 PostSeason included above

2012 World Series included above

2012 Preseason not included above

• 103.3 [13/9/7/1] Andrew Cashner (Padres) reliever 3/4/2012, 6th inning vs. Mariners' Johermyn Chavez 3rd pitch, 93.6 mph plate speed This moves him up to 6th on the 102+ list - added 10/3/2014

2011 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ [qty 100+/101+/102+/103+] u3 u9

• 103.4, [110/40/10/2] 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, [45/11/1] Bobby Parnell (Mets), 6/29/2011 7th inning vs. Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) at Comerica Park, ball, plate speed 92.3 mph
• 102.4, [29/10/1] Justin Verlander (Tigers) 10/13/2011 5th inning vs. Adrian Beltre (Rangers) 1st pitch in Detroit, plate speed 93.8 mph He moves up the 102+ list from his previous 102 radar reading in 2007 u9
• 101.4, [73/6] Henry Alberto Rodriguez (Nationals) 8/6/2011 vs Chris Nelson
• 101.4, [19/2] Neftali Feliz on 10/8/2011 vs. Austin Jackson u9
• 101.2, [4/1] Maikel Cleto (Cardinals) on 6/21/2011 vs Chase Utley

• 100.6 [18] Jordan Walden three times - twice on 7/10/2011 and on 5/25/2011
• 100.5 [4] Daniel Bard twice - on 8/6/2011 and 7/5/2011
• 100.4 [2] Jeremy Jeffress on 4/16/2011
• 100.3 [1] Rubby De La Rosa on 7/25/2011 (**)
• 100.2 [4] Chris Carpenter twice on 6/22/2011
• 100.1 [1] Brandon League on 6/8/2011 (**)
• 100.0 [2] Craig Kimbrel twice - on 9/28/2011 and 9/12/2011

2011 Postseason included above

2011 World Series included above

2011 Preseason not included above

2010 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ u3 u9 [qty 100+/101+/102+/103+/104+/105+]

• 105.1, [87/51/32/14/2/1] Aroldis Chapman (Reds), 9/24/2010 8th inning, vs. Tony Gwynn Jr. (Padres) a PETCO Park, ball, plate speed 96.5 mph u9
• 103.4, [35/14/4/1] Neftali Feliz (Rangers), 9/1/2010 entered 9th inning in relief, vs. Mike Aviles (Royals) at Kauffman Stadium, ball, plate speed 91.7 mph u9
• 103.2, [89/24/3/1] Henry Alberto Rodriguez (Athletics), 9/15/2010 reliever 7th inning, vs. Mike Aviles (Royals) at Kauffman Stadium - 93.0 plate speed, ball for walk
• 102.5, [18/4/2] 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, [144/43/4] Joel Zumaya (Tigers), 5/28/2010, entered 9th inning vs. Landon Powell (Athletics) at Comerica Park, ball, 93.5 plate speed
• 101.6, [15/4] Justin Verlander (Tigers) 9/29/2010
• 101.5, [28/3] Jordan Walden (Angels) 9/22/2010

• 100.8 [18] Daniel Bard 6/1/2010
• 100.6 [5] Ubaldo Jimenez 5/3/2010 (corrected on 9/11/2014 from 100.1 mph)
• 100.4 [3] Stephen Strasburg 6/13/2010
• 100.4 [2] Mitchell Boggs 7/22/2010
• 100.3 [2] Chris Sale 8/21/2010
• 100.2 [2] Alexi Ogando twice on 8/31/2010
• 100.2 Jonathan Broxton 7/18/2010
• 100.1 [2] Andrew Cashner 6/26/2010
• 100.1 Jason Motte 7/6/2010
• 100.1 Fernando Rodney 8/5/2010
• 100.1 Kyle Farnsworth 4/23/2010
• 100.1 Edwin Jackson 9/17/2010

2010 PostSeason included above

2010 World Series included above

2010 Preseason not included above

2009 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (qty 100+/101+/102+)

• 102.7 (138/47/6), Joel Zumaya (Tigers) reliever, 6/23/2009 8th inning vs. the Cubs' Milton Bradley 2nd pitch, in Detroit, 94.7 plate speed, (he threw 10 100+ mph pitches that game) and again on 6/30/2009, 7th inning vs. Oakland's Matt Holliday 7th pitch, Oakland Coliseum, 91.4 mph plate speed (he threw 8 100+ mph pitches that game)
• 102.6 (39/8/2), Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers) closer, 7/3/2009, 9th inning vs. Padres' Kevin Kouzmanoff 4th pitch, PETCO Park, 94.3 mph plate speed
• 102.2 (16/6/1), Brian Wilson (Giants) closer, 9/5/2009, 9th inning vs. Brewers' Jason Kendall 2nd pitch, Miller Park, 92.2 mph plate speed
• 101.3 (12/1), Daniel Bard (Red Sox), 7/30/2009, Fenway Park
• 101.1 (14/1), Neftali Feliz (Rangers), 8/7/2009, Angel Stadium Anaheim
• 101.0 (15/1), Justin Verlander (Tigers), 9/19/2009, Metrodome

• 100.9 (3) Bobby Parnell 7/3/2009
• 100.6 (11) Henry Alberto Rodriguez (Athletics) twice on 10/2/2009
• 100.6 (14) Ubaldo Jimenez 8/7/2009
• 100.3 (1) Juan Morillo 4/27/2009
• 100.2 (1) Matt Lindstrom 6/13/2009
• 100.2 (1) Merkin Valdez 9/6/2009
• 100.2 (4) Kyle Farnsworth 9/4/2009
• 100.1 (1) Fernando Rodney 8/24/2009
• 100.0 (1) Kevin Jepsen 8/8/2009
• 100.0 (1) Mark Lowe 6/5/2009

2009 PostSeason included above

2009 World Series included above

2009 Preseason not included above

2008 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ (qty 100+/101+)

• 101.3 (32/4), Joel Zumaya (Tigers) reliever, 6/20/2008, 8th inning vs. Padres' Paul McAnulty 8th pitch PETCO Park, 90.7 mph plate speed (he threw 7 100+ mph pitches in this at bat) (corrected 12/11/12 u2)
• 101.0 (12/1), Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers) closer, 8/21/2008, 9th inning vs. Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki 1st pitch, Dodger Stadium, 92.2 mph plate speed
• 101.0 (9/1), Matt Lindstrom (Marlins) reliever, 7/10/2008, 7th inning vs. Dodgers' Matt Kemp 1st pitch, Dodger Stadium, 92.0 mph plate speed

• 100.6 Ervin Santana (2) 6/25/2008
• 100.4 Ubaldo Jimenez (3) twice - 8/12/2008 and 4/15/2008
• 100.3 Brandon League (3) 9/13/2008 (added - see update u2)
• 100.2 Fernando Rodney (1) 8/5/2008
• 100.2 Brian Wilson (1) 7/28/2008
• 100.2 Joba Chamberlain (1) 6/8/2008 (see note below)
• 100.1 Juan Morillo (3) three times on 7/20/2008

2008 PostSeason included above

2008 World Series included above

2008 Preseason not included above

2007 Season Fastest Pitchers 100+ u7u3 u9 (These is only the partial year Pitch F/X data)

• 102.2, Joel Zumaya (Tigers), 4/12/2007 vs. Blue Jays' Frank Thomas 9th inning last pitch, 91.1 mph plate speed (threw 13 pitches 100+ that game)
• 101.7, Justin Verlander (Tigers), 7/15/2007 vs. Mariners' Ben Broussard 1st inning 3rd pitch, 89.4 mph plate speed (threw 8 100+ pitches that game)
• 101.6, Felix Hernandez (Mariners), 8/13/2007 vs. Twins' Alexi Casilla 1st inning 4th pitch, 90.3 mph plate speed (see note below)
• 101.6, J.J. Putz (Mariners), 7/28/2007 vs. Oakland's Nick Swisher 9th inning 5th pitch, 88.5 mph plate speed (he threw 8 100+ pitches that game)
• 101.4, Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers), 4/29/2007 vs. Padres' Khalil Greene 8th inning 2nd pitch, 87.4 mph plate speed (he threw 4 100+ pitches that game)
• 101.2, Ubaldo Jimenez (Rockies), 8/15/2007 vs. Padres' Josh Bard 3rd inning 3rd pitch, 90.5 mph plate speed (he threw 15 100+ pitches that game)
• 101.0, Joba Chamberlain (Yankees), twice - 9/7/2007 vs. Royals' Billy Butler 7th inning 2nd pitch, 91.4 mph plate speed (3 100+ pitches that game) ,
  then again on 9/12/2007 vs. Toronto's Frank Thomas 8th inning 2nd pitch, 86.7 mph plate speed (threw 3 100+ pitches that game)

• 100.9 Kyle Farnsworth Yankees, 5/12/2007 8th vs. Mariners' Kenji Johjima (also threw 100.0, 100.1, and 100.2 in the same inning)
• 100.8 (2) Daniel Cabrera, 7/18/2007 2nd inning vs. Mariners' Richie Sexson (also threw 100.3 on 6/6)
• 100.7 (2) Jeremy Guthrie Orioles, 8/19/2007 7th inning vs. (Blue Jays) Troy Glaus 1st pitch (he also threw 100.2 that game) (see note)
• 100.6 Matt Lindstrom Marlins, 7/3/2007 8th inning vs. Padres' Josh Bard 2nd pitch (also threw 100.4 and 100.3 same inning)
• 100.5 Jim Hoey Orioles, 8/18/2007 7th inning vs. Toronto's Vernon Wells 3rd pitch (he also threw 100.2 and 100.4 in the same inning)
• 100.5 Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays, 6/29/2007 1st inning vs. Mariners' Kenji Johjima 2nd pitch (threw 3 100+ pitches that game)
• 100.2 (2) Manny DelCarmen RedSox, 8/5/2007 8th inning to Mariners' Adam Jones 1st pitch (he also threw 100.1 to Jones on 8/3)
• 100.2 Jake Peavy Padres, 5/16/2007 1st inning vs. Reds' Brandon Phillips 3rd pitch
• 100.1 A.J. Burnett Blue Jays, 9/13/2007 1st inning vs. Yankees' Johnny Damon 2nd pitch
• 100.0 Jonathan Papelbon Red Sox, 6/27/2007 9th inning vs. Mariners' Ben Broussard 3rd pitch
• 100.0 Edwin Jackson Rays, 8/27/2007 6th inning vs. White Sox' Paul Konerko 3rd pitch

2007 Postseason/World Series included above

2007 Preseason not included above

Fastest Pitcher Biographies

Nolan Ryan - The Fastest - 108.1 mph FFE in 1974 s1 s3 s22 s23

Our best estimate is that Nolan Ryan's pitch on 8/20/1974 (exactly 28 years after Bob Feller's record pitch in 1946) was 108.1 mph FFE using today's standard of measurement at 50 feet from the plate.

Background of the Tests

Nolan Ryan in his 2nd year with the Angels broke Sandy Koufax's record with 383 strikeouts in 1973. The Angels wanted to use their strikeout king to boost sagging attendance for 1974. So in August 1974 George Lederer, the Angels Director of Public Relations and Promotions, and former L.A. Dodgers beat writer for the Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram, began the groundwork for a scientific test to be conducted by Anaheim-based Rockwell International scientists (likely using a coherent laser radar).

They tested the device for baseball purposes first on "an asphalt parking lot at the Rockwell International facility in Anaheim, the Rockwell engineers sought to test their device in a dry run before taking it to the stadium for an upcoming Ryan outing" using Charlie Sands, the Angels catcher on the DL, and the LH former high-school pitcher son of George Lederer, Tom.

They decided to get some readings during a live game, then try it again with a big promotional event.

The First Ever Live Speed Test 8/20/1974 - 100.9 mph Records3

The first ever test of pitch speeds during a live game was conducted on Tue. 8/20/1974 in Anaheim Stadium (Angels) vs. the Detroit Tigers.

Four Rockwell scientists recorded two of Nolan Ryan's pitches at 100.9 mph.

There were fears about aiming a laser directly at Ryan, so they aimed it from the press box to a point 9-10 feet in front of the plate.

That speed was also 'verified' by the Guinness Book of World Records s1. This Guinness record still stands to this day (although they did not convert the result to FFE).

Only the pitches that passed through an infrared beam 17 inches wide and 2 inches high recorded a reading.s3

The results of this test were not publicly announced until the second test on 9/7 - although Ryan was told the night of 9/6.

Promoting the Speed Test

Since the first test was deemed a big success, the following day on 8/21/1974, the Angels announced to the nation that there would be a second test for the public during an upcoming home game. The Angels decided to have a promotion where fans would get to guess Ryan's fastest speed at that next home game.

"The Angels are staging a contest in conjunction with the experiment. Fans will have the opportunity to guess Ryan's top speed by sending entries on a postcard to Ryan Express, P.O. Box 3820, Anaheim, CA 92803. Estimates should be made to the nearest one-tenth mile per hour. Entries also should include the number of pitches Ryan will make during the game of Sept. 6 [later changed to Sep 7]. This figure to be used only in case of ties for speed. Postcards must be received by September 5.

Grand prize will be a trip tor two to the first two games of the American League Championship series in the Western Division City, October 5-6. Other prizes are an Angels desk watch, an Angels pen and pencil set with official emblems, and 25 baseballs autographed by Ryan. Winners need not be present on Sept. 6." s26

It would be interesting to know who won each of these prizes. I'll keep looking.

The Public Promotional Event - 9/7/1974

The game was on Sat. 9/7/1974 in Anaheim Stadium vs. The Chicago White Sox.

Ryan's fastest pitch in that second game reached 100.8 mph (at 9-10 feet from plate) on 9/7/1974 s1. See chart at right.

OK, How Fast Was It? - The FFE Calculation

Today's pitch speeds are measured from 50 feet away from the plate, but Ryan's was measured at approx. 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

The Press

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.

Ryan Was Still Bringing It 14 Years Later s25

In 1988, 14 years after the 1974 tests, when Ryan was 42 years old and in his last year with the Astros, he was still hitting 97 mph, and averaging 93.2 mph.

GIFs of Nolan Ryan's Pitching Motion Throughout The Years

It's interesting to note that all 6 of the above hitters wait much longer to begin their stride than most today.

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

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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, referred to as a 'Sky Screen Chronograph', from the Aberdeen, MD ordnance plant so Feller could pitch through it just prior to the game.s4s5 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 "lumiline chronograph" using "photo electric cells".

He pitched from the mound through a v-shaped opening (the first sky screen) in the device located just in front of the plate. The ball then passes through the second sky screen, and the separate chronograph/timer calculates the time/speed between the two screens.

His fastest speed recorded was 98.6 mph on the second throw, but the measurement took place at home plate, or 60.5 feet from the pitchers plate. 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 Ground in Maryland.

Disputed Speeds24

Some news reports indicated that Feller threw 98.6 mph. Some indicated 145 fps and 98.6 mph. Some indicated 145 fps and 98.8 mph.

If you convert 145fps to mph, you get 98.86 mph, not 98.6 mph. So, either the 145fps is rounded and 98.6 is correct. Or the conversion from fps to mph was performed incorrectly from the start. We are going to assume the 98.6 mph is correct since that speed has been reported ever since, and not corrected by anyone. Plus, one press report indicates that he will be timed to '1-10,000 of a second', indicating fps with decimals.


How does that compare to Nolan Ryan?
Ryan's 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.

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Feller's Speed Test vs. a Motorcycle in Chicago's Lincoln Park 1940 u6

See the event at Cavalcade of Sports Bob Feller

Lew Fonsecas11 produced a film for the American League, released January 16, 1941s11, where Feller in 1940 threw a ball as a speeding Indian police motorcycle (incorrectly referred to as a Harley in most reports) raced by at 86 mph. s10

How fast was the ball going?

Let's count the video frames
This pitch speed is approx. 93-94 mph out of his hand. The calculation is based on: approx. 10 moving frames from release to 'contact' (two are repeated), at 24fps video, equals approx. 89.2 mph average speed. This calculation assumes, based on Feller's book 'Bob Feller’s Little Blue Book of Baseball Wisdom', that he started 60.5 feet from the target.
Let's use the motorcycle speed
The pitch speed is approx. 103 mph out of his hand. This calculation is based on:

• 1. Plate is 60.5 ft away from the target.
• 2. The motorcycle traveled 47.5 feet during the pitch. It had a 10 ft head start (see photo) before Feller released the ball, and was 3 feet from the target when the ball struck.
• 3. The motorcycle maintained 86 mph during the test.
• 4. So, 86 mph for 47.5 feet lasts .3766 seconds.
• 5. The pitch covering 54.5 feet (after estimated 6 ft. stride) lasting 0.3766 seconds would have been averaging 98.7 mph
• 6. Add 4 mph for speed at release. to get approx. 103 mph.

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.

Joel Zumaya - 4th Fastest - 104.8 mph in 2006

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?
Ryan's 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? When did Pitch F/X begin?

Very accurate. There is no more accurate system for measuring pitch speed.

The MLB Enhanced Gameday system (and Pitch F/X) was started during the 2006 postseason. On opening day April 1,2 and 3, 2007 every park was publishing very basic data, but only the White Sox, Seattle, and Anaheim had detailed speed data. By the end of 2007, they rolled out the system to 28 of the 30 parks, but it is said that only about 1/3 of the total games are included. At the start of the 2008 season, all 30 ballparks had this capability. s2

MLB began tracking data for any exhibition (spring training) games played in MLB parks beginning in the 2008 season. 2008 dates include exhibition games only in home parks on March 28, 29 and 30. 2009 dates include March 15,16,17,19 plus April 2,3,4. Beginning the Spring Training 2010 season, certain (maybe most?) spring training fields had Pitch F/X capabilities.u10

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 - by Mike Fast.

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

Radar Guns

Related: The History of 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.

Radar Gun Era (1975 on)

100+ mph Pitchers Measured with Radar Guns

Only pitchers that were measured and documented are listed

From 2002-2006, Baseball Info Solutions tracked stadium radar gun readings and they were annually recapped in the Bill James Handbook

Radar - pre 2002

• 102 (6 or more) Robb Nen, Marlins r17 , twice on 10/18/1997 World Series Game 1, 9th inning vs Indians' David Justice (who pulled it for a hit) , and again to strike out Jim Thome, Pro Player Stadium (Marlins), Miami
• 101 Rob Dibble r3, 6/8/1992, Candlestick Park (SF Giants)
• 101 Jose Mesa r3, 5/1/1993, Cleveland Stadium (Indians)
• 100 Bartolo Colon r3, 10/6/1999, Jacobs Field (Indians), Cleveland
• 100 Roger Clemens r3, 10/10/2001, Yankee Stadium, New York
• 100 J.R. Richard r3, 5/25/1976, Candlestick Park (SF Giants), San Francisco
• 100 Dwight Gooden r3, 6/17/1990 Three Rivers Stadium
• 100 Billy Wagner, Astros r16, Sunday 8/9/1998 9th inning vs Doug Glanville (Phillies) in the Astrodome

Mark Wohlers - 8th 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.r18

Wohlers also has a confirmed pitch of 101 mph on 7/5/1995 9th inning vs Dodgers in Atlanta r22

The fastest pitch that Wohlers threw in the 1995 World Series was in Game 3 10/24/95 9th inning vs the Indians' Albert Belle 100 mph, 2nd pitch. r26

Radar Gun Rumors

There are rumors in articles of other pitchers that have been gunned at 100+. But, until I find harder evidence for these events, I won't list them.

• JR Richard at 101 (vs 100 above) and again here. In the 1st inning of the 1980 All Star game, the announcer said he threw a 94 mph slider to Reggie Jackson (see GIF at right).
• JR Richard also threw at least 101 mph somewhere, but it's not clear when or exactly how fast, in this ESPN clip at the 1:50 mark in what appears to be the 1980 All Star game, Keith Jackson says

  and that ladies and gentlemen, was a fastball that was better than 100 miles an hour

• Billy Koch at 101 or 100 mph
• Brad Penny at 101 mph per MLB.com in 2007 "Penny hit 101 mph with his fastball at times, according to the Chase Field radar gun"
• Jesus Colome reportedly threw 101 mph for the Devil Rays in 2000
• Mark Kroon reportedly threw a Japanese record 101 mph in 2008
• Lee Smith, Cardinals reliever according to Paul Votano's book, Late and Close: A History of Relief Pitching, page 107, reportedly was 'clocked at 101mph'
• Bobby Jenks 2003 threw 103 in Winter ball, but when? see r19
• Billy Wagner 2003 threw two additional 101 mph pitches on what I derive to be 7/11/2003 Astros vs. Pirates 9th inning striking out someone with 101 on 3rd and 4th pitch per a Phillies forum

  First pitch .... 100 MPH!!!, second pitch ...100 MPH, third pitch ..... 101 MPH!!!, fourth pitch 101 MPH!! Sit Down Pal!

• Francisco Cordero 100 mph 2004 - per Mark Newman's MLB article Pitchers packing powerful heat (it doesn't mention a specific game)

  Francisco Cordero has been nearly automatic for the Rangers, giving him entrée into baseball's newly elite among closers, going under 95 mph only on breaking balls and topping out at 100.

• Eric Gagne 102 mph 4/2004 - per Mark Newman's MLB article about a 4/16/2004 game Pitchers packing powerful heat (it doesn't mention a specific game)

  Giants reliever Matt Herges said Gagne also hit 102 in the [Dodgers-Giants] series

  This youtube shows Gagne vs Bonds 4/16/2004 with the 101 mph pitch going into McCovey Cove foul.
• Troy Percival 102 mph 9/20/2001 - Mike DiGiovanna's 8/21/2001 article Glaus Enjoys a Rare Good Day in Safeco

  I saw [Percival] hit 102 mph and me 97 mph; all I can say is that gun is accurate as any in the league," Washburn joked.

• A.J. Burnett 102 mph June 2004 - Burnett Jockbio page says

  A.J. worked hard during his rehab and returned in June of 2004 throwing an astonishing 102 mph. His control was better, too.

  Bill Gutman's 2010 book Yankees by the Numbers says

  Burnett had Tommy John surgery in 2003, yet returned the next year to throw a fastball at 102mph. In 2005, his fastball averaged 95.6 mph, best in the league.

• Jim Kerns White Sox, 100 mph 1970s/80s
• Maels (pronounced Miles) Rodriguez became the first in Cuban National League history to throw 100 mph in a game on 12/8/1999 (Chapman broke his record in 2008 at 101.2 mph), two weeks later he threw the league's first ever perfect game, then he threw 100 mph again in the Summer 2000 Olympic Games for Cuba. He worked out for 15 MLB teams on 1/22/2004, but no offers materialized after he couldn't hit 90 on the gun (after his 2002 arm injury). He was drafted in 2005 by the Diamondbacks but never played. So, even though he hit 100 mph, he never actually played for the MLB in any capacity.

Pitch Speed Tests Before Radar Guns - 1912 to 1974u11

Only pitches that were measured and documented are listed below.

Everybody Loves Speed

The speed of pitched balls has been of intense interest since the earliest days of baseball. Team owners and newsmen have long known that the public has a thirst for fastball speeds. The world's first speed test in 1912 of Walter Johnson and Nap Rucker became a sensation and made headlines all over the country.

Baseball pitches were measured using a variety of methods by the US Army ballistics/artillery labs, West Point, time and motion engineers, and engineering firms:

• Chronographs with various screen devices - called 'lumiline', 'photo-electric pitching meters', 'gravity drop interval recorders', 'DuMont cathode-ray oscilloscope [with a] photoelectric eye'
• High speed and low speed video cameras
• Racing against a speeding motorcycle
• Early 'coherent laser radar'

Demystifying Chronographs and Screens

The military, arms companies, archery firms, engineering firms, and sports enthusiasts use ballistic test devices to measure speeds of fast moving objects like bullets, missiles, and arrows.

These devices are generally comprised of two 'screens', and a chronograph.

The chronograph, or its cousin the oscilloscope/oscillograph, is like a stopwatch/timer used to measure the start and stop times. But it needs two or more 'screens' to tell it when to start and stop as the object passes through the screens.

The screens are the start and end points and are usually called 'sky screens', 'lumiline screens', or 'make or break' screens and look like the triangle-shaped devices seen in pictures on this page. Some early screen devices used small copper wires in the opening and a steel plate for the end point.

Screens usually work using a photoelectric beam, just like your home burglar alarm sensors, your garage door sensor, or an elevator door sensor. When something crosses the light beam, it triggers some action.

When the ball (or bullet) passes through the starting point, it begins the timer, then the object passes through or hits the end point, which stops the timer. The distance between the start and end points are known, so its easy to calculate the speed in terms of feet per second (fps) of the moving object/ball/bullet/missile.

Here is a link to an interesting 1982 document from US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD that "describes methods for measuring projectile velocity, including time of flight distance measurements, and equipment.". Sec 2.2 Instrumentation List includes: "Sky screens and chronographs, lumiline screens and chronographs, make or break screens and chronographs, can test velocity to 3000 m/s with +-0.1%" maximum error. So, these devices are very accurate.

Accuracy

I am amused when I read articles and forum comments about how these pre-radar devices are 'primitive' or 'not accurate'. Of course, the low speed camera test in 1913 and the motorcycle test in 1940 were indeed primitive and not very accurate. But in many cases, chronograph/ballistic devices are more accurate than radar.

Radar and chronograph devices work mostly the same way in that a timer starts, then something causes the timer to end, and you know the distance between the start/end points (radar uses different wave lengths, and chronographs use the sky screen openings - ex. the triangle shaped box).

However, with radar (even with the best Stalker/JUGS gun), you don't know exactly where, along the path taken from pitchers hand to the plate, the reading was taken - was it measured out of the hand? 10 feet away? 12 feet away? There is no way to know. With the chronograph device, you know the precise location of the measurement since it's based on the physical location of the device itself.

Why Did Portable Radar Guns Overtake Chronographs for Pitch Speed Tests?

The reason that radar overtook chronographs in measuring pitch speeds is not because radar is more accurate, but because radar is more practical, in that a ball no longer had to be thrown through a device. Radar allowed a game to be played, and measurements to be taken, during a live game, which means that every pitch could be measured, not just a few warmup pitches before the game started.

But, this practicality led to continued confusion during the 30 years of the radar era, from 1975 through 2006, because of 'fast guns' (with readings taken near the pitchers hand) , 'slow guns' (readings averaged, or taken near the plate) , and other radar guns/devices where you had no idea where the ball was along the path when the measurement was taken.

50 Foot Equivalent for Comparing Pitch Speeds Across Eras

I have calculated the 50 foot equivalent (FFE) speed for each pitcher, based on how far they were from the device, and what type of device, so they can be compared to each other, and to today's speeds.

List of All Recorded Pitch Speed Test Results - 1912-1974

FFE	Name	Tested Speed	Method	Tested distance	When	Where	Device	Comment
108.1	Nolan Ryan	100.9 mph (twice)	Early radar	10 ft from plate	08/20/74	Anaheim Stadium during game, in press box	Rockwell Intl coherent infrared laser radar	1st test with Guinness
108.0	Nolan Ryan	100.8 mph	Early radar	10 ft from plate	09/07/74	Anaheim Stadium during game, in press box	Rockwell Intl coherent infrared laser radar	2nd test for public
107.6	Bob Feller	98.6 mph	lumiline chronograph	plate	08/20/46	Griffith Stadium Washington DC, home plate	Portable lumiline chronograph using photo electric cells from ordnance plant at Aberdeen, MD
103.2	Bob Turley	.00362/6in-138.12fps-94.17 mph	oscillograph	60.5 feet, device at plate	05/12/54	Baltimore Stadium, home plate	Dumont Labs cathode-ray oscillograph	added to 102+ list 10/7/2014
102.5	Steve Dalkowski	93.5 mph	lumiline chronograph	plate	Jun 1958	US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD	US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground lumiline chronograph
102.2	Joe Black	93.2 mph	oscillograph	60 feet 6 inches, device at plate	09/20/53	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn NY	Dumont Labs cathode-ray oscillograph	added to 102+ list 10/5/2014
102.1	Terry Forster (White Sox)	94.9 mph	Early radar	10 ft from plate	09/07/74	Anaheim Stadium during game, in press box	Rockwell Intl coherent infrared laser radar	2nd Ryan test for public
100.1	Steve Barber	95.55 mph	50fps camera	counted frames, avg speed	Spring 1960	Miami?	50fps camera
99.8	Don Drysdale	95.31 mph	50fps camera	counted frames, avg speed	Spring 1960	Miami?	50fps camera
99.3	Atley Donald	139 fps/ 94.77 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	08/30/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
99.3	Rudy York	139 fps/ 94.77 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	Summer 1939	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
99.3	Ralph Kress	139 fps/ 94.77 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	Summer 1939	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
99.3	Roy Cullenbine	139 fps/ 94.77 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	Summer 1939	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
98.1	Mickey Lolich (Tigers)	90.9 mph	Early radar	10 ft from plate	08/20/74	Anaheim Stadium during game, in press box	Rockwell Intl coherent infrared laser radar	1st Ryan test
97.7	Sandy Koufax	93.20 mph	50fps camera	counted frames, avg speed	Spring 1960	Miami?	50fps camera
97.6	Jack Kucek (White Sox rookie)	90.4 mph (twice)	Early radar	10 ft from plate	09/07/74	Anaheim Stadium during game, in press box	Rockwell Intl coherent infrared laser radar	2nd Ryan test for public
97.5	Johnny Podres	88.5 mph	oscillograph	60 feet 6 inches, device at plate	09/20/53	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn NY	Dumont Labs cathode-ray oscillograph
96.7	Dee Miles	136 fps/ 92.7 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	Summer 1939	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
95.7	Ryne Duren	91.16 mph	50fps camera	counted frames, avg speed	Spring 1960	Miami?	50fps camera
95.6	Herb Score	91.08 mph	50fps camera	counted frames, avg speed	Spring 1960	Miami?	50fps camera
95.4	Walter Johnson	134 fps/ 91.4 mph	gravity drop interval recorder	?	1917	Remington Arms lab, Bridgeport CT	gravity drop interval recorder
95.3	Bob Turley	90.75 mph	50fps camera	counted frames, avg speed	Spring 1960	Miami?	50fps camera
94.0	Bob Feller	10 frames	motorcycle and 24fps? video	60 feet 6 inches	1940	Chicago street in Lincoln Park	motorcycle and 24fps video
93.3	Steve Sundra	131 fps/ 89.3 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	Summer 1939	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
93.3	Wally Moses	131 fps/ 89.3 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	Summer 1939	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
92.5	Bob Milliken	83.5 mph	oscillograph	60 feet 6 inches, device at plate	09/20/53	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn NY	Dumont Labs cathode-ray oscillograph
90.6	Johnny Humphries	127 fps/ 86.6 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
90.6	Christy Mathewson	127 fps/ 86.6 mph	gravity drop interval recorder	?	1917	Remington Arms lab, Bridgeport CT	gravity drop interval recorder
88.5	Smokey Joe Wood	124 fps/ 84.5 mph	gravity drop interval recorder	?	1917	Remington Arms lab, Bridgeport CT	gravity drop interval recorder
87.7	Walter Johnson	122 fps/ 83.2 mph	chronograph		10/06/12	Remington Arms bullet testing range	chronograph with copper wires and a steel plate	How far away? 20/60ft?
87.2	Jimmy Foxx	122 fps/ 83.2 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
87.2	Jim Tabor	122 fps/ 83.2 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
87.2	Roger Cramer	122 fps/ 83.2 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
86.0	Van Mungo	113 fps/ 77.0 mph	?		June 1933	West Point Ballistics lab	?
85.1	Bob Feller	119 fps/ 81.1 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
85.1	Ben Chapman	119 fps/ 81.1 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
85.1	Julius Solters	119 fps/ 81.1 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
85.1	Jim Shilling	119 fps/ 81.1 mph	photoelectric chronograph	20 ft away	06/06/39	Cleveland Stadium, side of field	Rex D. McDill's Cleveland Speed Meter – photoelectric chronograph
84.7	Lefty Gomez	111 fps/ 75.7 mph	?		June 1933	West Point Ballistics lab	?
81.5	Nap Rucker	113 fps/ 77.0 mph	chronograph		10/06/12	Remington Arms bullet testing range	chronograph with copper wires and a steel plate	How far away? 20/60ft?
??	Billy Loes	??	oscillograph	60 feet 6 inches, device at plate	09/20/53	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn NY	Dumont Labs cathode-ray oscillograph
??	Ben Wade	??	oscillograph	60 feet 6 inches, device at plate	09/20/53	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn NY	Dumont Labs cathode-ray oscillograph
??	Lou McEvoy	150 fps/ 102.27 mph	?		05/23/30	West Point Ballistics lab	?

Rumors

• Jim Maloney (Reds) 1965 99.5 mphs20 when? where? device?

1974 Speed Test – Ryan s1 s22 s23

See Ryan bio section for more details of the two games, the promotion of the contest, and the testing.

First Live Test During the Angels-Tigers Game 8/20/1974 – Ryan's record 100.9 mph, 108.1 FFE

On 8/20/1974 both Ryan and Lolich (Tigers) pitched complete games over 11 innings. Ryan struck out 19 batters, with no run support to lose 1-0.

Earlier, on 6/14/1974, he had struck out 19 Red Sox batters in 13 innings using 235 pitches, resulting in a no decision.

Second test – Live Promotional Event During the Angels-White Sox Game 9/7/1974 – 100.8 mph, 108.0 FFE

On 9/7/1974, Ryan threw 159 pitches, striking out 9 batters, and faced Jack Kucek the White Sox rookie.

Terry Forster (White Sox LH reliever) pitched the final 1.2 innings (7th/8th), there is no mention of his speed in the same articles, but he was reported months later to have thrown 94.9 in 'September 1974', so I am going to assume it was on 9/7. Forster led the AL that year with 24 saves, then he injured his arm in 1975.

(However, I am not including Forster's speed on the 102+ list until I get more verification of the reading) s21

Speed Results for Both Tests

Assuming they were 10 feet away – add 7.2 mph (9mph/50*40) to get to the 50ft FFE – and deduct 1.8 mph (9/50*10) to get plate speed:

• Nolan Ryan (Angels) 8/20/74, 100.9 mph at 10 ft away, or 108.1 mph FFE, 99.8 mph est. plate speed, 1st inning vs. Tigers' Ron LeFlore (he threw two 100.9 pitches that game)
• Nolan Ryan (Angels) 9/7/74, 100.8 mph at 10 ft away, or 108.0 mph FFE, 99.7 mph est. plate speed, 9th inning vs. White Sox' Lee "Bee Bee" Richard
• Mickey Lolich (Tigers) 8/20/74, 90.9 mph at 10 ft away, or 98.1 mph FFE, 89.1 mph est. plate speed
• Jack Kucek (White Sox rookie RHP) 9/7/74, 90.4 mph at 10 ft away, or 97.6 mph FFE, 88.6 mph est. plate speed (he threw 90.4 twice during the game)
• Terry Forster (White Sox reliever) 9/7/74, 94.9 mph at 10 ft away, or 102.1 mph FFE, 93.1 mph est. plate speed

Other Nolan Ryan pitches reported on 9/7/1974:

• Warmup – 88.5 mph at 10ft, 86.7 mph plate speed, 95.7 mph FFE (warmup readings 68.5, 55, 88.5 and 70.7 mph)
• Inning 1 – 87.6 mph at 10ft, 85.8 mph plate speed, 94.8 mph FFE
• Inning 2 – 93.4 mph at 10ft, 91.6 mph plate speed, 100.6 mph FFE
• Inning 3 – 94.1 mph at 10ft, 92.3 mph plate speed, 101.3 mph FFE
• Inning 4 – 98.8 mph at 10ft, 97.0 mph plate speed, 106.0 mph FFE vs. Jerry Hairston
• Inning 5 – 96.4 mph at 10ft, 94.6 mph plate speed, 103.6 mph FFE
• Inning 6 – 91.3 mph at 10ft, 89.5 mph plate speed, 98.5 mph FFE
• Inning 7 – 96.7 mph at 10ft, 94.9 mph plate speed, 103.9 mph FFE
• Inning 8 – 94.1 mph at 10ft, 92.3 mph plate speed, 101.3 mph FFE

1960 Speed Test – High Speed Cameras15

This Week, which was a nationwide newspaper insert, did some testing during spring training 1960 and published an article June 19, 1960 Who's the Fastest Pitcher By LESLIE LIEBER, which described the test:

Here's how we did the testing: We set up a high-speed movie camera which takes 50 frames a second. It photographed the ball from the pitcher’s mound until it crossed home plate — 60 feet, six inches away.

By counting the number of frames it took the ball to reach the plate, our mathematicians were able to translate the velocity into miles per hour.

The results were arrived at not on the basis of one pitch — but by averaging the five fastest pitches thrown by each man. The final standings are [below]

50 frames per second is sufficient to get a good speed reading (even today). You could have as much as 3-4 mph error on a single reading, but 5 readings should reduce the error significantly.

Since they were 60.5 feet away, and the speed had essentially been averaged – add 4.5 mph (50% of 9 mph speed reduction to the plate) to get to the 50ft FFE:

• Steve Barber (Orioles rookie) 95.55 mph, or 100.05 mph FFE
• Don Drysdale (Dodgers) 95.31 mph, or 99.81 mph FFE
• Sandy Koufax (Dodgers) 93.20 mph, or 97.70 mph FFE
• Ryne Duren (Yankees) 91.16 mph, or 95.66 mph FFE
• Herb Score (White Sox) 91.08 mph, or 95.58 mph FFE
• Bob Turley (Yankees) 90.75 mph, or 95.25 mph FFE

Reports say this film was taken in Miami. The Orioles held their Spring training in Miami Stadium in 1960, maybe it was there? The Dodgers played in Vero Beach, the Yankees in St Petersburg, and the White Sox in Sarasota.

1958 Speed test – Steve Dalkowski – 11th Fastest (tied) – 102.5 mph FFE

In June 1958 the Orioles sent Dalkowski to the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland .. was clocked at 93.5 mph s7 where he threw through a metal box the width of home plate through which a laser was beamed (or lumiline?). s8 We understand he pitched into an opening that was used to test bullet/ artillery speeds. He also did not pitch from a mound.

(Assuming he was pitching from 60.5 feet away) this pitch was equivalent to a speed measurement taken at the plate. So we should 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.