Los Angeles: Ben Joyce Makes Waves with Historic Pitch
On a memorable day at Angel Stadium in Los Angeles, the crowd was buzzing as rookie pitcher Ben Joyce delivered a jaw-dropping performance that has fans and stats geeks alike buzzing. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Ben stepped up and unleashed a remarkable 105.5 mph fastball that sent Dodgers’ utility man Tommy Edman packing. That’s right, folks: this kid nearly claimed the title for the fastest recorded pitch in MLB history!
The Thrilling Numbers
Let’s break down the numbers. Ben’s blazing fastball came in at 105.5 mph, just a smidge shy of the current record held by Aroldis Chapman, who’s managed to hit 105.8 mph and 105.7 mph in his prime. To make things even more fascinating, the radar gun during the game peeked at a stunning 106 mph. Talk about a heatwave!
Oh, and remember, this was also the fastest recorded strikeout pitch in MLB history! That phrase alone brings chills, doesn’t it? Can you believe that just a couple of years ago, this guy was tearing it up in college at Tennessee, where he also hit those wild speeds? There’s no denying that the man can throw some serious heat. The only trick has been dialing in his control, and so far in 2024, he seems to have figured out a decent portion of it.
History and Challenges with Record Keeping
However, with all this excitement comes a little cloud of confusion. You see, Statcast has only been around since 2015, and before that, the MLB was tracking pitches with a much less reliable system. It raises questions about the past greats, like Nolan Ryan, who could have potentially been our fastest pitcher ever if the measurements were handled differently.
These days, pitchers are better trained than ever to unleash max velocity, yet the quest for the title of “fastest pitcher” gets a bit murky due to limitations in how those speeds were measured back in the day. It’s all a bit convoluted when you start thinking about it!
Joyce’s Moment in a Tough Game
But let’s not get lost in the numbers too much. Despite Ben’s incredible contribution to the game that day, the overall result wasn’t in favor of the Angels. In a tough battle against the Dodgers, who ended up winning 6-2, it became clear that pace doesn’t always equal a win. In fact, a jaw-dropping 104.4 mph hit blasted off the bat of none other than Mookie Betts, which proved to be more significant in the context of the game than Ben’s record-breaking pitch.
It was definitely an emotional roller coaster for Angels fans, especially with the return of Shohei Ohtani to Angel Stadium. It felt like all eyes were not just on Ben Joyce’s fastball, but also on the atmosphere that surrounded the entire match.
The Future Looks Bright
So, what does this mean for Ben Joyce moving forward? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for sure: Ben has certainly put himself on the map. With a talent that can throw such scorching heat, we can only imagine what lies ahead. Will he take home the title of the fastest pitcher ever? Who knows! One thing’s for certain, though: baseball fans are in for some electrifying moments as this season unfolds.
For now, we’ll keep our eyes peeled and our hearts racing as we watch Ben and the Angels navigate through this thrilling season. Was that a 105.5 mph fastball we just witnessed? Absolutely, and there’s more where that came from!
