Rage The Pitching Machine

Max Power · 03-07-2003, 10:42 AM

It's pretty well known that Roger Clemens and Bob Gibson, when pitching, were full of rage. Rocket is almost out of his mind. In fact, you often hear stories about pitchers who are really nice guys that "you don't to go near on the day they are pitching." In Yankee land, they even say that Andy Pettitte, who is as mild mannered as the come, is often at his best when you notice he's pitching with a 'death stare.' This is not limited to flame throwers - - notice Greg Maddux when he is pitching - - he has a mug on like he's tossing hand grenades. I could even sense a tad of a 'tude on Tommy John's face when he was pitching

Is the wrinkle part of being a successful pitcher? Should a pitcher, when out there, have some anger/rage/contempt towards the hitter? Or, does it not matter at all?

ChrisCary · 03-07-2003, 10:52 AM

I think it depends pretty much on the type of pitcher or type of person he is, the type of attitude they have.

I read once where Clemens said he feels like he's the offensive part of the batter - pitcher equation and he wants the batter to feel defensive.

KCBOOMER · 03-07-2003, 10:56 AM

I think you have the relationship backwards. When pitchers are successful they adopt attitudes not vice versa. The infamous death stare of Dave Stewart's would be a great example. Stewart didn't develop that stare until after he became successful. And once he stopped being successful the stare went away.

Max Power · 03-07-2003, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
I think you have the relationship backwards. When pitchers are successful they adopt attitudes not vice versa. The infamous death stare of Dave Stewart's would be a great example. Stewart didn't develop that stare until after he became successful. And once he stopped being successful the stare went away.

Sure this isn't a chicken and the egg thing?

SmedIndy · 03-07-2003, 02:43 PM

Lefty Grove would have murdered anyone and everyone to get the batter out.

Except for a few, I don't think you could be happy-go-lucky when pitching. You are exerting yourself, in an intense activity.

When I'm batting spreadsheets and fund-raising collection reports, I have a death stare too.

Craig S. · 03-07-2003, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SmedIndy
When I'm batting spreadsheets and fund-raising collection reports, I have a death stare too.

Striking fear into the hearts of your coworkers and subordinates?

Skip · 03-07-2003, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig S.
Striking fear into the hearts of your coworkers and subordinates?

Nahhhh, I visualize more the Michael Jackson face. (Thriller video or current jumble, I will leave you all to judge).

WiredTiger · 03-07-2003, 03:21 PM

Pedro Martinez is one of those guys that I think gets that intensity going when he is goign good. He is very mild mannered when it is his off day but when he is in the game he is intense.

SmedIndy · 03-07-2003, 03:24 PM

I do and I do and I do for you guys, and this is the thanks I get!

Most starters are really ultra-wired up on game day - so it's not surprising.

pathogan · 03-07-2003, 05:41 PM

...on how well you can actually pitch. the rest becomes al hrabowsky nonsense.Or Brad lester[was that his name?}

Ytown Tribe fan · 03-07-2003, 06:31 PM

Walter Johnson, on the other hand, was a nice guy. Every quote I've read about him, and by him, would indicate that he was a gentleman all the way.

Johnson himself railed against headhunters, although he hit quite a few batters too -- probably because he threw sidearm heat like few others at the time and the batters that he hit were hit low and just didn't get out of the way in time.

Max Power · 03-07-2003, 07:16 PM

Right on time, on the way home, I heard LuGo interviewed on the Dan Patrick show - - talking about the Unit - - - Luis said the fear factor associated to Randy's nothing but business look helps him get people out.

TGwynn19 · 03-07-2003, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Max Power
Luis said the fear factor associated to Randy's nothing but business look helps him get people out.

I think that his 98 MPH fastball and slider have more to do with his success than his look.

Max Power · 03-07-2003, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TGwynn19
I think that his 98 MPH fastball and slider have more to do with his success than his look.

Take that 98 MPH fastball, and the slider, and minus being 6' 10" and ugly - that could be difference between being THE BIG UNIT and being Hideo Nomo, just maybe..............

Skip · 03-07-2003, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Max Power
Take that 98 MPH fastball, and the slider, and minus being 6' 10" and ugly - that could be difference between being THE BIG UNIT and being Hideo Nomo, just maybe..............

Yah - otherwise, you've got two guys with good splitters who can't field. However, the 98+ fastball and 90 slider coming from a good half foot higher than most pitchers throw 'em, do make for a pretty imposing composition.

03-07-2003, 10:42 AM	#1
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	Rage The Pitching Machine It's pretty well known that Roger Clemens and Bob Gibson, when pitching, were full of rage. Rocket is almost out of his mind. In fact, you often hear stories about pitchers who are really nice guys that "you don't to go near on the day they are pitching." In Yankee land, they even say that Andy Pettitte, who is as mild mannered as the come, is often at his best when you notice he's pitching with a 'death stare.' This is not limited to flame throwers - - notice Greg Maddux when he is pitching - - he has a mug on like he's tossing hand grenades. I could even sense a tad of a 'tude on Tommy John's face when he was pitching Is the wrinkle part of being a successful pitcher? Should a pitcher, when out there, have some anger/rage/contempt towards the hitter? Or, does it not matter at all? __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

03-07-2003, 10:56 AM	#3
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	I think you have the relationship backwards. When pitchers are successful they adopt attitudes not vice versa. The infamous death stare of Dave Stewart's would be a great example. Stewart didn't develop that stare until after he became successful. And once he stopped being successful the stare went away. __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

03-07-2003, 05:41 PM	#10
pathogan william Blake's Innkeeper Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,828	I think it depends ...on how well you can actually pitch. the rest becomes al hrabowsky nonsense.Or Brad lester[was that his name?}

03-07-2003, 07:16 PM	#12
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	Right on time, on the way home, I heard LuGo interviewed on the Dan Patrick show - - talking about the Unit - - - Luis said the fear factor associated to Randy's nothing but business look helps him get people out. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

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03-07-2003, 10:52 AM	#2
ChrisCary High and tight Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 1,281	I think it depends pretty much on the type of pitcher or type of person he is, the type of attitude they have. I read once where Clemens said he feels like he's the offensive part of the batter - pitcher equation and he wants the batter to feel defensive.

03-07-2003, 02:43 PM	#5
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	Lefty Grove would have murdered anyone and everyone to get the batter out. Except for a few, I don't think you could be happy-go-lucky when pitching. You are exerting yourself, in an intense activity. When I'm batting spreadsheets and fund-raising collection reports, I have a death stare too.

03-07-2003, 03:21 PM	#8
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	Pedro Martinez is one of those guys that I think gets that intensity going when he is goign good. He is very mild mannered when it is his off day but when he is in the game he is intense.

03-07-2003, 03:24 PM	#9
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	I do and I do and I do for you guys, and this is the thanks I get! Most starters are really ultra-wired up on game day - so it's not surprising.

03-07-2003, 06:31 PM	#11
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	Walter Johnson, on the other hand, was a nice guy. Every quote I've read about him, and by him, would indicate that he was a gentleman all the way. Johnson himself railed against headhunters, although he hit quite a few batters too -- probably because he threw sidearm heat like few others at the time and the batters that he hit were hit low and just didn't get out of the way in time.

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