The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight....In Memphis

Friends,

I'm always a little amazed by gimmick pitchers who make it to the majors because of their gimmick. Whether it be knuckleballers or sidearmers or any of the other quirky players, I wonder when they decided to become a gimmick player.

Take Tim Wakefield and the knuckleball. When he was 17 years old, playing varsity high school ball for someone, did he think, "Yeah, you know what I'm gonna do. I'm not gonna throw it hard no more, no siree, not Timmy Wakefield. I'm gonna throw it real slow." Or those who develop pronounced sidearm deliveries like the late Dan Quisenberry.

Then there's submariners like this guy: Mark Worrell of the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. He's not related to any of the other Worrell's out there that had been in baseball, which is kind of interesting to me. What is also interesting is the way he pitches.

See, at first glance, he's just another sidearm chucker, but watch his land leg. You baseball fans should see what's weird about it. Those who are not baseball fans and want in on the fun, click on the "sidearm deliveries" link above, watch that video, then watch the video embedded below of Mark Worrell pitching.



I want to know how he was never coach out of kicking his land leg more or less behind him, then slinging the ball to the plate. That just has to be shredding all the ligaments and tendons in his arm. Also of note, he's a little inconsistent with his delivery, because when he steps more forward, he doesn't quite get the pitches over, but if he kicks it out behind him a little, then they get up there and with some movement too.

That is all.

viva el mustache