Fastest Pitches in MLB history

by user Patrickburke1980

In Order by Fastest Observed Speed (Listing Has Only The Fastest Known Speed by the Pitcher )

Pitcher Speed Date

Mark Wohlers 103.0 mph 1995

Joel Zumaya 103.0 mph 07-04-2006

Armando Benitez 102.0 mph 05-24-2002

Bobby Jenks 102.0 mph 08-27-2005

Randy Johnson 102.0 mph 07-09-2004

Matt Lindstrom 102.0 mph 05-16-2007

Robb Nen 102.0 mph 10-23-1997

Justin Verlander 102.0 mph 06-12-2007

A.J. Burnett 101.0 mph 05-31-2005

Rob Dibble 101.0 mph 06-08-1992

Kyle Farnsworth 101.0 mph 05-26-2004

Eric Gagne 101.0 mph 04-16-2004

Jose Mesa 101.0 mph 05-01-1993

Guillermo Mota 101.0 mph 07-24-2002

Billy Wagner 101.0 mph 07-30-2003

Nolan Ryan 100.9 mph 08-20-1974

Josh Beckett 100.0 mph 10-12-2003

Daniel Cabrera 100.0 mph 05-09-2005

Roger Clemens 100.0 mph 10-10-2001

Bartolo Colon 100.0 mph 10-06-1999

Francisco Cordero 100.0 mph 07-07-2004

Rich Harden 100.0 mph 05-27-2005

Jorge Julio 100.0 mph 09-16-2004

J.R. Richard 100.0 mph 05-25-1976

C.C. Sabathia 100.0 mph 06-28-2002

Ben Sheets 100.0 mph 07-10-2004

Rafael Soriano 100.0 mph 05-04-2007

Derrick Turnbow 100.0 mph 05-27-2005

Kerry Wood 100.0 mph 08-10-2005

Figures from Baseball Almanac: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/fastest-pitcher-in-baseball.shtml

ChristofMVP

895 days ago

Score 1

How accurate were these radar guns though?

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PeanMajor Leaguer

895 days ago

Score 0

out of all these players, how many had serious arm problems?

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

895 days ago

Score 3

When it comes to my driving, not very accurate at all!

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Patrickburke1980All-American

895 days ago

Score 0

These figures are from the stadium radar guns...which are not uniform throughout the league. So, these are reported pitch speeds. And sorry about the format - don't know how to put together a table in HTML.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

895 days ago

Score 0

Justin Verlander's is definitely the most impressive. Did it in the 9th inning pitching a no hitter.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

895 days ago

Score 0

I agree the fact that Verlander found that type of heat around pitch 128 is amazing

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PeanMajor Leaguer

895 days ago

Score 1

i think Zumaya's was the most impressive..it was probably after a marathon night of Guitar Hero :)

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

895 days ago

Score 1

I'm suprised that some a manufacturer does not an exclusive deal with MLB for radar guns. They are mentioned enough in the broadcasts and would eliminate a huge variant on reported pitching velocity across MLB.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

895 days ago

Score 0

JUGGS is the manufacturer

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

895 days ago

Score 1

I bet all of these radar *readings* were recorded at home games... also, isn't it "funny" that they could determine .9 of a mph in 1974 (Nolan Ryan 100.9 mph) but not since?

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IlliniEdVarsity

895 days ago

Score 0

There hasnt been an accurate reading in MLB for something like 20 years. Lets be serious. All these readins are jacked up by about 2-3 miles. Its all intended to get the crowd going. That is hte whole point of a radar gun. I wouldnt put it past people to actually calibrate it differnetly for each starter. Kenny rodgers has a differnet setting then Verlander. I still put my money on Ryand and Walter Johnsons fastball over those people.

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Willf123JV Squad

895 days ago

Score 0

Why did Wholers throw Leyritz a slider? He didnt have a prayer of hitting the fastball.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

894 days ago

Score 0

Although her never made it to the majors it is said that Steve Dalkowski was the fastest ever. There was no radar guns back when he played in the 1950's and 1960's. His wildness kept him out of the bigs.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

894 days ago

Score 0

Hmmm... A few points:

1. They measure to 1dp in 1976 but not now?
2. All the fastest pitches have been lately, i.e. none from yesteryear.
3. In cricket, there has only ever been 1 (or maybe 2) balls at 100mph ever. But they aren't allowed to hurl it as they please, it has to be "round arm" - i.e. the bowling arm must be straight at all times.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

894 days ago

Score 0

Sorry, 1976 should be 1972.

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