Sidearm pitcher Mark Eichhorn (pronounced IKE-horn) is the only player in Orioles history to have a double-h anywhere in his name. I bet it's fun to pronounce it with a phlegmy hocking sound. This isn't an ideal photo of his unusual pitching motion, but if you look closely I think you can tell that something is different. He just looks like he's pushing the ball out of his hand, almost like a shot put. Mark's middle finger is also completely outside of his glove, and you can see two other knuckles and the lower halves of those fingers. A hard line drive back up the middle could easily break some digits on that left hand. To my knowledge, the mustachioed reliever was fortunate enough to avoid that fate throughout his career. Maybe his unconventional delivery left him in a position to stay clear of comebackers.Who's your favorite pitcher with a funky throwing style? Is it a submarine guy like Todd Frohwirth, Chad Bradford, or Kent Tekulve? A sidearmer in the style Eichhorn or Jeff Nelson? An arms over the head, rock-back windup a la Paul Byrd, Fernando Valenzuela, or Hideo Nomo? Or something in between, like Dick Hall?
Chad Bradford fascinates me every time I watch him. He throws low even for a submariner!
ReplyDeleteTell me about it! According to Moneyball, his arm angle has gotten lower and lower as he's progressed throughout his career.
ReplyDeleteLuis Tiant. He had the best windup ever.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is definitely Chad Bradford. Thank you very much to the Orioles for donating him to the Rays this year!
ReplyDeleteAnd I always thought it was Mark "Acorn" ...