Walter Johnson Pitching Footage

[auggiedoggy]

The "Big Train" in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imwUHeuVqME

My apologies if this has been posted here before.

While we're at it, here's some Christy Mathewson pitching footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unwlec-YNYI

[markf31]

Fantastic clips! I just spent my entire lunch break watching those two clips as well as the other various "linked" clips.

Good stuff!

[DeanH3]

Thanks for posting. I have seen these before but I can watch these over and over and over.

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

Thanks for posting. I have seen these before but I can watch these over and over and over.

I hear you! Love watching old clips from that era. Its rather sad that both these men died young due to health complications. Johnson at 59 and Mathewson at only 45.

[z28jd]

I actually started using the Walter Johnson windup/delivery whenever I play baseball because I hurt something in my shoulder and can't throw regular anymore. That delivery doesn't hurt. Not good for any distance, but I can pitch that way. The windup he does at the 35 second mark is what I do, makes me feel all vintage inside

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by z28jd

I actually started using the Walter Johnson windup/delivery whenever I play baseball because I hurt something in my shoulder and can't throw regular anymore. That delivery doesn't hurt. Not good for any distance, but I can pitch that way. The windup he does at the 35 second mark is what I do, makes me feel all vintage inside

Yes, that's a very vintage style windup. You may be the only one who does it now.

[Hankphenom]

I've always thought that Johnson's little windmill 360, which looks so quaint today, actually makes a hell of a lot of sense, relaxing and loosening the muscles a little before the furious strain of the pitch. Those old-time pitchers were certainly doing something the brittle-armed guys of today could learn from, and maybe the more elaborate windups of yesteryear were for more than just show.