TomGheen proved there's more to pitching than velocity.
Gheen, a minor league hurlerin the 1920s, used anunderhand delivery to deceiveopponents. The Lincoln County News called him "the underhand curve-ologist" in a 1922 article.
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He woundupand arcedthe ballunderhand with great accuracy and astonishing movement, baffling batters and humoring fans along the way.
Gheen's greatest feat came on April 26, 1922, when he pitched a perfect gamefor Class C Winston-Salem against Greensboro. A professional pitcher tosseda perfect game while throwing underhand.Imagine that.
"Gheen Has Niche In the Hall of Fame; Pitched No-Hit, No-Run Game," the following day's Twin-County Sentinel headlined. "Every inning with Greensboro at the bat was exactly like the one before, three men up and three quickly retired," the newspaper recapped. Gheen had fivestrikeouts in his historic performance.
Gheen couldn't consistently repeat that day's effectiveness, in fact the perfect game was his only win of the 1922 season. He lobbed his way through seven minor league seasons butnever cracked the majors.
Pitching underhand wasn't a gimmick for Gheen, it was his preferred style.He was mentionedin newspapersacross the country for his unorthodox technique.
So, if Gheen was able to throw a perfect game whilepitching underhand, why haven't others at least experimented with hisstrategy? An MLB umpire confirmed pitching underhand isallowed.
Tim Hagerty is the broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, and is on Twitter at @MinorsTeamNames. He is also the author of"Root for the Home Team: Minor League Baseball's Most Off-the-Wall Team Names."
As a seasoned baseball historian and enthusiast, my extensive knowledge in the field allows me to shed light on the fascinating story of Tom Gheen, a minor league pitcher from the 1920s who defied conventional wisdom with his underhand pitching technique. This intriguing case not only showcases Gheen's mastery of an unorthodox style but also raises questions about why more pitchers haven't explored such strategies.
Tom Gheen, known as "the underhand curve-ologist" according to a 1922 article in The Lincoln County News, was a minor league hurler who gained fame for his unique underhand delivery. The evidence of his expertise lies in the detailed descriptions of his pitching style, where he would wind up and arc the ball underhand with exceptional accuracy and astonishing movement. This distinctive approach not only deceived opponents but also entertained fans, demonstrating Gheen's ability to blend showmanship with skill.
The pinnacle of Gheen's career occurred on April 26, 1922, when he achieved the remarkable feat of pitching a perfect game for Class C Winston-Salem against Greensboro. The evidence of this accomplishment is not only found in contemporary news articles but also in the headlines of the Twin-County Sentinel the following day, proclaiming "Gheen Has Niche In the Hall of Fame; Pitched No-Hit, No-Run Game." The newspaper recapitulated the perfection of each inning, highlighting Gheen's five strikeouts during this historic performance.
Despite his extraordinary achievement, Gheen's success with underhand pitching was a rarity, as he couldn't replicate the effectiveness throughout the 1922 season, securing only one win. This evidence reinforces the notion that Gheen's underhand technique wasn't merely a gimmick but rather his preferred and distinctive style.
Gheen's story, as reported in newspapers across the country, challenges the status quo of traditional pitching techniques. The fact that he was mentioned widely for his unorthodox approach indicates the impact he had on the baseball community during his time. The article also raises a thought-provoking question: if Gheen could pitch a perfect game underhand, why haven't more pitchers experimented with this strategy?
To address this question, it's interesting to note that an MLB umpire confirmed that pitching underhand is allowed. This key piece of information, coming from a reliable source within the professional baseball community, adds depth to the discussion. The article's conclusion, authored by Tim Hagerty, the broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, provides additional context to the story. Hagerty's expertise in minor league baseball, as evidenced by his book "Root for the Home Team: Minor League Baseball's Most Off-the-Wall Team Names," further establishes the credibility of the information presented.
In summary, the story of Tom Gheen not only showcases a unique chapter in baseball history but also prompts further exploration into unconventional pitching styles. The evidence, including newspaper headlines, eyewitness accounts, and the confirmation from an MLB umpire, supports the narrative of Gheen's underhand prowess and invites reflection on the possibilities within the realm of pitching strategies in baseball.
