Jorge Posada Ranks the 170 Yankee Pitchers* He's Caught: "Hideki Irabu had a very good curveball. Just a straight up and down, swing-and-miss curveball. John Wetteland had a very good curveball. He threw it for a strike, too, in any count, any situation. But, he really didn’t use it much. He didn’t want to throw it. He wanted to throw fastball-slider. I would say Irabu. El Duque had a very good curveball."
* Figure includes pitcher-like substances (Wade Boggs).
Interesting. I wish they'd do the same with other long time catchers.
I also wish he would have given an opinion on Randy Johnson, but I guess it's not surprising he didn't.
posted by justgary at 04:36 PM on April 27, 2010
Best cutter?
"Mariano."
Was there ever any doubt?
posted by boredom_08 at 04:51 PM on April 27, 2010
Excellent story. Love the stuff about Cone. And the line about Leiber being the funniest he's ever caught and telling Posada, after a home run was hit off him, "That one was your fault."
And I always thought Edgar Martinez was the best, pure hitter I ever watched.
posted by dyams at 07:27 PM on April 27, 2010
Related: Chad Moeller on the pitchers he's caught. More interesting to me, not just because of the Brewers connection, but because of the variety of talent and teams he's worked.
posted by rocketman at 10:11 AM on April 28, 2010
Toughest hitter
"Edgar Martinez. Manny Ramirez is pretty tough, also. But, Edgar Martinez stands out. He was ahead of you. It was like he knew what was coming."
Is Edgar in the Hall of Fame yet? No? Huh.
posted by rumple at 04:09 PM on April 27, 2010