Current Events > In honor of the World Series, my 5 most intimidating pitchers I ever saw play

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Grew up in a baseball family, first games I can remember were from 87 or 88, haven't watched much since like 2010 or but still catch the post season and a few games throughout the year

5 - Dennis Eckersley
First closer I saw and he was the most dominant closer I saw for the longest time. A proper closer gives off an image. Ecks does that.

4 - Roger Clemens - Roider, was an asshole, threw bats at opponents, was on the Simpsons.

3 - Randy Johnson - Tallest pitcher ever at 6'10", threw triple digits, evaporated birds with a single pitch. Had a mullet well past its expiration date but he got a pass. Nickname was literally The Big Unit. He's packing.

2 - Mariano Rivera - For over a decade you heard Enter Sandman, you knew the game was over.

1 - Nolan Ryan - Old mother fucker that may have been the fastest pitcher ever, got in fights, and threw no-hitters (plural) into his 40s with records for most strike outs, most no-hitters, fewest career hits / 9, and a couple dozen more records.

Honorable Mentions -
Pedro Martinez - Dominated and threw Zimmer to the ground.
Lee Smith - Growing up he seemed like the bad guy pitcher on the opposing team of a baseball movie. Good and scowly.
CC Sabathia - Big fucker, threw hard, on the yankees.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

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Nolan da GOAT

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3/5 Astros players i like it!

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Greg Maddux was dominant

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3 - Randy Johnson

don't mind me just going yard that one time

Randy and Nolan immediately came to mind

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MabusIncarnate posted...

Greg Maddux was dominant

he was but he never had that edge to make him seem intimidating to me, an idiot watching from his tv. Without a doubt one of the most skilled pitchers. I think part of intimidation also has to be being a hard pitcher. And there also has to be times when you watch them where you go "ooooh he's pissed."


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good list.

Craig Kimbrel with his weird eagle wings pose to come set seems like it could be intimidating.
Madison Bumgarner, being like 8 feet tall with 6 foot arms and low angle delivery seems like it could be intimidating in the same way RJ was

Roy Halladay was like the anti-intimidator. Never showed much emotion, never threw heat, but was just insane with his control on location and speed. A mental master. Combine this with him playing in Toronto all those years, and i feel like a lotta guys took the night off against him because they had their mind on the Brass Rail.

edit: Pre-Red-Sox Chris Sale too, for the same reason as bumgarner, except this guy threw like 99 didn't he?

Aroldis Chapman because he's arguably the most physically dominating pitcher in the history of the game. 108mph 4-seamer? 94mph slider? no thanks.

Thoughts on Joe Nathan?

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Reliable closer for a decade, which itself is pretty unique because most guys at that position last 2-3 years. Nothing special about him, other than his longevity and reliability. Not a HOFer in my opinion

SrRd_RacinG posted...

Thoughts on Joe Nathan?

Very good closer for a long time. He's a bit on the cusp for me but ultimately not a HOFer.

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