Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

There have been several amazing throws in the modern era, some very well known, some not so well known.

For instance, many people are aware of, and talk about the famous Willie Mays catch of Vic Wertz's smash in the 54 World Series, what alot of people don't know is that the throw that follwed that catch, from the deepest part of the Polo Grounds, was tremendous, and held up a runner that might have otherwise scored.

If you remember the baserunners in the Bo Jackson or Larry Walker situations, please chime in.

Clemente was in a class by himself. Another great throw was one by Dave Parker in the '79 All-Star Game in the Kingdome. He nailed someone at home. I think he won MVP in that game.

I voted for Mays' catch and throw in 1954. But, mentioned above, Dave Parker's All-Star toss was the greatest throw that I've ever seen.

Another vote for Dave Parker. As I recall, Gary Carter was the catcher and made a great tag. I recall as a kid watching "This Week in Baseball" with Mel Allen and that clip was in the credits (with the very dramatic music).

Ditto. The first throw that came to mind was Parker's, then Clemente.

Am I mistaken that Mays's was actually known more for the catch than the throw?

parker came quickest to mind...but i'd vote mays just its THE catch,also recall some great throws by tony armas while he was on the A's...any bay area folks recall tony's gun in RF?

I am not that impressed with Mays catch and throw. Yes he made an over the shoulder catch. But then he whirled and threw underhand back in the direction he knew the ball needed to go. And in all the replays I have ever seen you never see the end result of the play. Did he make throw on a line? Was it deadly accurate?

I have since seen too plays since where someone made a running catch, planted and then threw a rope back in. I suspect Bo would have done just that. I have seen Edmonds not only make over the shoulder catches I have seen him make over the shoulder diving catches, bounce and come up throwing. If not for the timing of that catch where everyone was watching it would not have garnered the attention it has.

Don't get me wrong. Good catch, impressive catch, but not near the best I have ever seen.

I obviously have only seen video of Mays' throw, but it looks hurried, awkward, and goofy. I'd love to see some highlight videos of the great throws in baseball history. I used to watch Dewey throw at Fenway on a regular basis, that guy could throw a baseball better than just about anyone else I've ever seen.

Brian Downing was the runner out at home on the Parker throw; he tried scoring on a Nettles single.
Interestingly, Parker also threw out Jim Rice attempting to stretch a double into a triple the inning before.
Parker was named the game's MVP.
This trivia courtesy of www.retrosheet.org.

Parker's throw is the best. I still remember seeing it on tv as a kid.

My dad still talks about Reggie's arm when he was a young player with the A's.

The best arm I ever saw in person (limited selection) was Dave Martinez when he was at the end of his career the Devil Rays. He threw out two runners going to 3rd from RF in the Kingdome in the same game. I think he has a (-2) arm in the 80's game. Oddly I also saw Martinez play at the beginning of his career with the Cubs in Wrigley.