Ok, but when will Tim Wakefield retire?

[EVEN11323]

Whatever happened to Charlie Haeger with Chicago? Wasn't he a knuckler?

[HoustonGM]

Whatever happened to Charlie Haeger with Chicago? Wasn't he a knuckler?

He's in the minors

[RedsoxRockies]

He throws a change up, but no Knuckle

[Arctic Blast]

I don't understand why more pitchers don't try to learn it. It would certainly extend the careers of some pitchers out there and in this day and age with the amounts of bucks being shelled out to even crappy pitchers, extending your career as long as possible is great for your bank account.

Sadly, I think it comes down to machismo. The knuckler isn't 'cool'...blowing a 99 mph heater past a hitter, or getting him to look ridiculous swinging MILES away from where that nasty slider ends up, that's cool. Knuckleball...that's sort of the last refuge of the nearly finished pitcher who has no other options.

[grasshopper]

I would take a top knuckleball thrower w/ an 80mph fastball over most young 99mph flamethrowers today. If you throw over 100mph, you are a guaranteed DL regular.

The problem w/ knucklers is they dont usually learn control till later on in their twenties. So by going to 43 or so, they still have the life span of a guy who starts at 22-23.

[kingroman]

2009.

[filihok]

Is it too late to go learn a knuckle ball? I could still fashion some sort of career if I can pitch till 50

[TheNamelessPoet]

I could have a 25 year career if I start now lol

[dps]

Sadly, I think it comes down to machismo. The knuckler isn't 'cool'...blowing a 99 mph heater past a hitter, or getting him to look ridiculous swinging MILES away from where that nasty slider ends up, that's cool. Knuckleball...that's sort of the last refuge of the nearly finished pitcher who has no other options.

There's probably something to that, but you also have to consider that almost all teams and managers (as well as pitching coaches) have an aversion to pitchers who rely on what are perceived as "trick" pitches.

[dickay]

LOVE THIS THREAD!!

Wakefield is amongst my alltime favorite players and is my favorite Red Sock right now. 2nd alltime behind the great Pedro.

Its not that Wake is the best pitcher, its the team first do whatever asked attitude....and the lesser known fact that there are few better people in all of professional sports. From people I know who have been close to Red Sox players, and from things I've read...Wake does amazing things for children and charities. More so than just money, he spends countless hours on these causes. I believe he's won one Clemente Award and has been in the top 5 or so finalists many times. A real class act.

[RedsoxRockies]

Wake is awesome, I agree, one of my favorites, and very underrated

[Arctic Blast]

There's probably something to that, but you also have to consider that almost all teams and managers (as well as pitching coaches) have an aversion to pitchers who rely on what are perceived as "trick" pitches.

Oh yeah, that's likely a big part of it, as well. I also think there's a certain desire for 'control' from pitching coaches, who, more often than not, have absolutely zilch to offer a knuckleballer.

[dps]

Oh yeah, that's likely a big part of it, as well. I also think there's a certain desire for 'control' from pitching coaches, who, more often than not, have absolutely zilch to offer a knuckleballer.

Yes, I agree with you on that, too.