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September 23, 2012

BP Unfiltered

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Home Plate

by Ben Lindbergh

With Joe Mauer at the plate in the 10th inning of Sunday's Twins-Tigers game, Jose Valverde practiced the pull-out method of pitching:

Valverde: And heeeere's the pitch
Valverde: Wait where did it go
Valverde: Oh my hand is still holding it
Valverde: Well played, Mauer

Valverde held on to the baseball, and there was no one on base, so it wasn't a balk or a ball. As far as the statistical record is concerned, it never happened. But we won't forget.

Ben Lindbergh is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @ben_lindbergh
Click here to see Ben's other articles. You can contact Ben by clicking here

9 comments have been left for this article.

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NYYanks826

(37443)

Love the graceful spin-move Valverde pulls, as well.

Sep 24, 2012 00:20 AM

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rating: 2

Richard Bergstrom

(36532)

I remember being told that, if an umpire ever called time in the middle of a pitcher's windup, it's best for the pitcher to follow through with the pitch since hard-stopping the motion could lead to injury.

Sep 24, 2012 01:38 AM

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rating: 0

Ben Lindbergh

BP staff

(37618)

I remember being told that every time it happens. Announcers say the same thing whenever it happens (and they also said it after the Valverde incident above, where time wasn't called), but no one I've talked to seems to remember an actual example of a pitcher getting hurt by notfollowing through.

Sep 24, 2012 02:36 AM

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Richard Bergstrom

(36532)

Not even Corey Dawkins?

I'll say, Jose doesn't look like he ever extended his elbow so the worst stress might've been on his shoulder.

Sep 24, 2012 10:01 AM

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rating: 0

flyingdutchman

(11087)

Maybe Valverde has added this to his regular repertoire of absurd histrionics.

He is the worst. The worst.

Sorry, I'm a Tigers fan.

Sep 24, 2012 07:27 AM

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rating: 4

gweedoh565

(48688)

Wait, pitchers can do this with no consequence if no one is on base?! Why in the hell don't more pitchers do this then? What a great way to psyche out a batter! If the only barrier is the myth about being injured, then, please, let's debunk that and get moving with some #weirdbaseball.

Sep 24, 2012 11:21 AM

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rating: 3

Ben Lindbergh

BP staff

(37618)

Agreed. More spin moves!

Sep 24, 2012 11:25 AM

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Richard Bergstrom

(36532)

There's probably something written about it in the unwritten code of conduct that reads "Thou shalt not do this on purpose."

Sep 24, 2012 12:49 PM

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rating: 2

russel58

(61955)

I was thinking the exact same thing

Sep 24, 2012 13:26 PM

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rating: 1

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<< Previous Article
Manufactured Runs: The... (09/21)

<< Previous Column
BP Unfiltered: An Upda... (09/22)

Next Column >>
BP Unfiltered: How Unu... (09/23)

Next Article >>
What You Need to Know:... (09/24)

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