An informal and anecdotal history of the development of the role of the pitcher by a critically acclaimed student of baseball. William Curran traces the development of the pitcher, from his earliest days to his development as a dominant force. Iillustrations.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A worthy addition to Curran's books on hitting (Big Sticks) and fielding (Mitts), this relaxed, informal history treats the art and science of pitching from 1846 to the present. Curran traces the slow evolution of the so-called server, whose purpose was to help the batter hit, into today's hurler, the avowed enemy of hitters. He covers changes in rules, in distance between pitcher and hitter (not fixed at 60'6"until 1893) and in methods of delivery from underhand to overhand. His chief focus, though, is on the modern game, particularly the years from 1900 to 1920, the Golden Age for hurlers, and the various attempts to even the balance as the Ruthian home run altered the game radically between wars, including the advent of the reliever. He provides anecdotes about the great and near-great who toiled on the mound, the advantages of left-handedness, cheating, the problem of control and the alleged eccentricity of the pitching breed. Curran's wit enhances the history, as when he writes of "John Barleycorn, the Cy Young of the losers' league" or refers to an agonizingly slow worker as "the human-rain-delay of the dead ball era." A joy for fans. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Curran (Big Sticks: The Batting Revolution of the 1920s, LJ 3/1/90) has written a fresh meditation on the development of pitching. He concedes that fans prefer a high-scoring game, but a well-pitched game remains a work of art. This entertaining book should be in larger collections.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
History of Pitching,
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This review is from: Strikeout: A Celebration of the Art of Pitching (Hardcover)
This is a well-researched, well-written book on the history of pitching, from the days of underhand to sidearm to overhand pitching. Curran knows baseball and its history and brings to life the times and people he writes about, turning a modern eye and modern-day analysis on the history of the game. Excellent reading, and an excellent reference.
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