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Originally Posted by Moonliner
The players of 1926 were not burdened with this preconceived notion of perfection.
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But neither were they being asked to throw the kinds of pitches that are thrown today. Beating major league hitters requires a level of precission and control that does merit rigorous physical and mental preparation. They aren't just rearing back and throwing a ball hard and straight at a target. In 1926, movement on pitches was the exception, thrown every once in a while to fool the batter. Now, even your fastball better have movement on it, and that movement requires near mechanical perfection to avoid mistakes. Because, as evidenced yesterday, major league hitters will quickly make you pay for those mistakes.
I'd say it's a fair bet that even the best hitters of 1926 wouldn't stand a chance against today's pitchers, and vice versa.