How to Fix the Plethora of Tommy John Surgeries
Legend has it that Sandy Koufax threw 100 MPH and had a 12-6 curve that was unhittable. He was so good that they called him the “ Left Arm of God .”That was propounded by the master storyteller, Vin Scully. It all sounds plausible, but it wasn’t true. According to Charles Tips…
Legend has it that Sandy Koufax threw 100 MPH and had a 12-6 curve that was unhittable. He was so good that they called him the “Left Arm of God.”That was propounded by the master storyteller, Vin Scully. It all sounds plausible, but it wasn’t true. According to Charles Tips, Co-Founder of Star Maker Baseball Academy in Redwood City, “the highest speed Koufax was ever clocked at was 93.2 mph.” That is in Clayton Kershaw Territory. We really don’t know how fast pitchers threw back in the day. From what I have heard, I think Koufax may have thrown pitches that were in the upper 90s, but the facts are not in my court.
What we do know is that today, pitchers throw with max effort… or at least most pitchers do. The Dodgers pitchers certainly do… at least most of them. I listened to Dave Roberts on MLB.RADIO yesterday, as he talked about Jack Flaherty. He said that Jack “is not a max effort guy.” Jack Flaherty absolutely does not throw with maximum effort. Neither does Clayton Kershaw, but most do. Dustin May did. So did River Ryan, Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, Nick Frasso, Kyle Hurt, Emmet Sheehan, and Tyler Glasnow. Do I have your attention?
“Max Effort” is the Problem! Jack Flaherty was one pitcher who was talked about yesterday by Doc Roberts, and his exact words were. “Jack Flaherty is not a max-effort pitcher.” Jack Flaherty’s 4-seamer is a pitch that averages 93.5 MPH. That is what Flaherty has always been at. I can’t prove it, but I think Flaherty can hit 96 to 97 MPH if he wants to. Jack Flaherty understands that maybe it’s better to live to throw another pitch.
Fifty years ago, I used to be able to throw 100 MPH. Yes, it hurt, but I could do it. I was young and dumb and had no idea what I was doing. It really hurts now, and I can barely lift my right arm above my head. I cannot swim on my stomach. I can lay on my back and do it. Pitching, actually “throwing” 100 MPH, ruined my arm. I have concluded that the human arm cannot throw 100 MPH… and prosper!
Bobby Miller is the “poster child” of why a 100 MPH fastball is nothing. My 100 MPH fastball was straight and flat… and hittable, just like Bobby Millers’. Bobby Miller is a “thrower” while Jack Flaherty is a “pitcher.” Walker Buehler is a classic example of a “max effort” pitcher. The Dodgers have been developing “max effort” pitchers for some time now. They have a stable of them, and we see the results: Max Effort = Tommy John… two times over.
Yes, some freaks can throw 100+ MPH (Aroldis Chapman, for one) and not have their arm fall off, but most pitchers can’t. Part of the reason these guys have poor control is that they are throwing too hard. To me, a pitcher who can put the ball where he wants is better than a pitcher who can throw 100 MPH. How do you stop pitchers from throwing 100 MPH?
The answer is simple and most fans will rail against it, but any pitch over… say 97 MPH… is a ball. Easy, peasy!
By the way, HERE is a great explanation and video about Tommy John Surgery by Johns Hopkins.
Dodger News
- It sounds like Tyler Glasnow is done for the season after he felt pain in his elbow in a bullpen session. Another max effort guy!
- You should now be praying for Clayton Kershaw’s toe…
- Yamamoto, Flaherty, and whoever can walk and throw—this should be fun. The Catman is back!
- It sounds like Shohei Ohtani will pitch at some point this year. I have mixed emotions about that. Do you know what mixed emotions are? That’s when you see your mother-in-law driving over a cliff in your new Dark Horse (which I am taking delivery of today.
X-Cites
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (48)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Today’s word is “Gaslighters.”
Gaslighters are people who try to control others through manipulation and will often accuse you of behaviors that they are engaged in themselves. This is a classic manipulation tactic.
This has been a public service announcement!
The hard truth is that as constructed right at this moment, this is not a championship staff. Both Buehler and Miller are going to have to pitch like they did when at the top of their game for this team to even have a shot at going deep in the playoffs. They are in danger of losing their division lead.
Dodgers (87-61)
Braves (81-67)
SP Walker Buehler R
1-5 5.95 ERA
SP Charlie Morton R
8-8 4.11 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
SS Tommy Edman S
3B Max Muncy L
2B Gavin Lux L
C A. Barnes R
CF K. Kiermaier L
76° Wind 14 mph In
Did Texas and Arizona have a championship staff last year? Keep the faith boys. Till the last out!
Book em
Sunday schedule
11:05 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Orlando Ortiz-Mayr) at Wichita (C.J. Culpepper)
12:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Tony Gonsolin) vs. Tacoma (Casey Lawrence)
Ben Casparius is also expected to pitch for Oklahoma City on Sunday, piggybacking with Gonsolin, who is making his second rehab start.
WB = my guy