The 1930s marked a pivotal era in Major League Baseball, with the sport undergoing significant changes during the decade. One area of evolution was in pitching velocities, as hurlers began rearing back and bringing more heat. But just how fast were pitchers throwing back in the ’30s? Let’s take a look at the data and key pitchers from the period to get an idea of the speeds.
The Science and Data Behind Pitching Velocities
Measuring pitching speeds became more of a focus in the 1930s, but the exact velocities were still not reliably tracked. The main way speeds were estimated was through calculations based on film footage of pitches. Researchers would analyze film clips using the known distance between the mound and home plate (60 feet, 6 inches) and timing mechanisms to approximate the time it took a pitch to reach the plate. From this, speeds could be estimated in miles per hour.
However, the film technology of the 1930s was not advanced enough to capture very precise readings. And factors like camera angles and hand-timing margins of error likely meant these velocity estimates were not highly accurate. Still, the pitch speed data from the decade does give us a general sense of pitching velocities of the time.
The Hardest Throwers of the 1930s
While speed gun technology was still primitive, there were pitchers in the ’30s who were believed to be capable of reaching the high-90s and touching 100 mph on occasion. Let’s look at some of the standouts:
Bob Feller – The Cleveland Indians pitcher nicknamed “Rapid Robert” is considered by many to be the hardest thrower of the 1930s and possibly one of the fastest ever. He debuted in the majors at just 17 years old in 1936 and was soon wowing crowds with his sizzling fastball. Estimates had Feller reaching between 98-100 mph at his peak.
Dizzy Dean – The larger-than-life St. Louis Cardinals ace was known for bringing the heat. Dean claimed to have hit 104 mph on occasion, and while that figure is dubious, he consistently sat in the mid-to-upper 90s during his prime years in the early 1930s.
Lefty Grove – One of the most dominant left-handed pitchers ever, Grove led the American League in strikeouts seven straight seasons beginning in 1925. Though not overpowering in stature, Grove is believed to have thrown in the mid-to-upper 90s in his 1930s heyday.
Satchel Paige – The legendary Negro Leagues star began his career in the early 1930s before making his MLB debut in 1948 at age 42. In his athletic prime pitching for the Pittsburgh Crawfords and other Negro League clubs in the ’30s, Paige could reach the high 90s and touch 100 mph.
Van Lingle Mungo – This Brooklyn Dodgers mainstay used his big 6’3″ frame to unleash one of the National League’s most formidable fastballs. At his peak from 1934-36, Mungo could ring up readings around 98 mph.
Pitching Velocities by Decade
To put ’30s pitching speeds into further context, let’s examine the data on average fastball velocities decade-by-decade:
| Decade | Average Fastball Velocity |
|---|---|
| 1900s | Mid 80s mph |
| 1910s | Mid 80s mph |
| 1920s | Low-to-mid 80s mph |
| 1930s | Low-to-mid 80s mph |
| 1940s | Low-to-mid 80s mph |
| 1950s | Mid 80s mph |
| 1960s | Mid 80s mph |
| 1970s | Low 90s mph |
| 1980s | Low-to-mid 90s mph |
| 1990s | Low-to-mid 90s mph |
| 2000s | Low-to-mid 90s mph |
| 2010s | Low-to-mid 90s mph |
This table illustrates that average fastball velocities did not really start consistently reaching the 90+ mph range until the 1970s. In the 1930s, the typical fastball from a major league pitcher averaged in the low-to-mid 80s range.
However, the elite power pitchers profiled earlier were capable of velocities around 20 mph faster than the norm back then. Their 98-100 mph heat stood out as truly exceptional compared to the slower paced game of the period.
Game Conditions and Pitching Usage
It’s important to note that several aspects of the game in the 1930s likely prevented pitchers from consistently cutting loose at their maximum speeds:
– Pitchers pitched more innings – Starters would frequently pitch well over 300 innings in a season, sometimes topping 400. Throwing that often didn’t allow hurling as hard as possible on every pitch.
– Pitchers pitched more often – Four man rotations were the norm, so starters would pitch every 4th day rather than the 5th day standard of today. More frequent outings called for reserved effort.
– Conditions were poorer – Mound quality was less maintained compared to the meticulously groomed mounds of today. Pitching off flatter, grassy mounds may have restricted velocity.
– Tactics focused less on speed – Perfecting control and mixing pitches took precedence over velocity for many pitchers. Only a few became known for pure speed.
So while a select cadre of 1930s pitchers could hit speeds on par with today’s fireballers, they likely did not match the velocity averages of modern MLB. But their upper-end speed capabilities remain impressive given the era.
Velocity and Strikeouts
Not surprisingly, the hardest throwers of the 1930s also posted some prodigious strikeout totals. Let’s look at how their velocities aligned with K’s:
– Bob Feller – Led AL in strikeouts 7 times including 348 K’s in 1946. Had career mark of 2,581.
– Dizzy Dean – Fanned over 200 batters each year from 1932-35, twice topping 300. Finished with 1,163 career.
– Lefty Grove – Topped league in strikeouts 7 straight seasons, with high of 208 in 1931. Retired with 2,266.
– Satchel Paige – Estimated to have averaged 12+ strikeouts per 9 innings over his Negro League career.
– Van Lingle Mungo – Topped National League in strikeouts in 1936 with 238. Had 113 K’s as a rookie in 1931.
The combination of breakthrough velocity for the era and refined control allowed these fireballers to dominate hitters with prolific strikeout totals. Their fastballs simply overmatched the competition.
Velocity’s Role in the 1930s Game
While hard throwing remained a rarity in the 1930s, the introduction of a few flamethrowers did mark a shift in the style of play. Their presence showed velocity could be an asset after a era of crafty pitchers like Walter Johnson who relied more on movement and location. Feller especially ushered in a respect for sheer speed that would grow moving forward.
But the game in the 1930s still centered around strategies like getting on base with hits and advancing runners. Home runs were relatively scarce. So while elite fastball velocity emerged during the decade, it had yet to become the central focus of pitching success. That transition would occur more in the coming decades as strikeouts and the long ball took on greater prominence.
Velocity and the Live Ball Era
Earlier in the 1920s, offense surged following the introduction of a livelier ball. This “Live Ball Era” initially saw batting averages, runs scored, and home runs spike. But the development of overpowering, high-velocity pitching in the ’30s helped restore more balance between offense and defense. Dominant fastball pitchers proved able to challenge the juiced lively ball. Feller, in particular, tamed elite hitters despite the advantages of the new ball. So increased velocity was likely pivotal in limiting the initially explosive offensive numbers during the Live Ball Era.
Conclusion
In summary, while radar gun pitch speed readings were not available, the best estimates indicate the hardest throwers of the 1930s could reach speeds in the upper-90s to 100 mph range. This type of elite velocity was rare and stood out far above the decade’s average fastball speeds of around 80-85 mph. A few flamethrowing aces like Bob Feller, Dizzy Dean, and Lefty Grove leveraged their fastballs to dominate the decade. Their presence also previewed pitching trends to come in future generations. But old-school pitcher strategy still mostly prevailed in the 1930s game. So despite seeing a few sneak peeks of high-octane heat, pitching in the 1930s remained more about finesse and guile than pure gas.