2006-08-10 13:54:10 · 11 answers · asked by Liverpool fan 4 life 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
best curveball has got to be Roy Osvalt best slider would go to Kelvim Escobar of the Angels - his stuff is nasty
2006-08-10 13:59:55 · answer #1 · answered by Big Buddy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, the best curve ball would have to be Barry Zito. Any curverball would go on a half-circular motion and either drop in the middle or on the ground, which could make any batter silly when swinging a curve ball. Any pitcher can do that but Zito curve is something different. His curve goes on a 12-to-6 motion (refer to the clock) that starts high and ends in the middle for a strike. It starts out like it's going to be a ball (because of the high motion) but it land straight in the middle, freezing batter in the process. Only a few pitcher in the league can command that kind of curve ball but the risk of that pitch is that it could go either way (a ball or strike) and if the curve is hanging, that ball is going to be drilled, so there's a risk. Zito curve actually has a good motion because he relies on finesse rather than power pitches (he just have an average fastball that's not dominating).
Johan Santana has to have the best slider in baseball. His slider actually breaks for a strike, when the batter is swinging or not, while most typical slider goes for a ball. Randy Johnson can fool a batter for sliders because of the speed. It looks like a typical fastball but drops to the other side for a ball, but batter actually swing on that pitch. That's why those who command a good slider can get the easy strikeout, good or bad. Sliders are usually reserve for power pitchers like Santana, Johnson or other who can command a good fastball going into the mid-90's.
2006-08-10 16:39:23 · answer #2 · answered by mojo8983 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Curveball might be Barry Zito. His curveball is flat out unhittable when he snaps it off correctly. Not sure about the slider, but I know Johan Santana throws a damn good slider. But he throws a damn good everything.
2006-08-10 14:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by globesportsorbust 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
curveball - david wells
slider - randy johnson
wells' curveball has about a six foot drop to it, and johnson's slider is quite amazing...that's why they are each still kicking in the league....
2006-08-10 14:04:10 · answer #4 · answered by goldeneye2131 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in history id have to go with nolan ryan's curveball and randy johnson's slider (in his prime)... those pitches are unhittable
today... barry zito's curve and probably still johnson (on a good day)
2006-08-10 16:27:23 · answer #5 · answered by anonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Curve is Barry Zito, with a nod to Josh Beckett if he learns to throw it for strikes...
Slider might still be Randy Johnson but it's been bad this year...I guess now you'd have to go with Dontrelle, or maybe Scott Kazmir...
2006-08-10 14:48:05 · answer #6 · answered by cfluehr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
curveball probably zito
slider i say liriano
2006-08-10 14:40:59 · answer #7 · answered by El Ruben 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Goldeneye, it's time to buy a new book
2006-08-10 14:13:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barry Zeto...no doubt.
2006-08-10 14:00:26 · answer #9 · answered by imma o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
curve is Chris Carpenter.
slider is johnson
2006-08-10 15:01:18 · answer #10 · answered by MikeAwesome 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋