Ned Garver: Former RHP pitcher several teams, All-Star in 1951 St. Louis Browns

 

1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?

I guess I threw sidearm in high school. I was able to make that baseball look like it was going to go behind a right handed hitter then come back into the strike zone. Lots of success with it in H.S. striking out tons of hitters, which ultimately led me to signing a pro contract with the St. Louis Browns.

 

2. What are some of the advantages you had from your arm angle?

I found it easy to control and very easy on the arm. To righties if didn't over do it and try to do too much I know I had the advantage. Guess I used to do the same as Satchel Paige used to do, turned my back to the hither to hide the baseball.

 

3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?

No I don't think so. Pitching sidearm was important part to my arsenal. Certain right handed hitters had no chance against me. I was also very confident pitching from there.

 

4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?

I don't see much problem with it really. Don't think you neccessarily want to see guys pitching from straight over the top, it can be pretty tough on the arm. Certain guys can and are able to get that good downward angle though.

 

5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?

Honestly it just felt natural.

 

6. What pitches did you throw?

I was a sinker, slider pitcher. Also threw a slow curve. I also worked on a knuckleball.

 

7. How did you pitch to lefties/righties?

Righties- Threw a lot of sliders. I wasn't an overpowering pitcher by any means but when count was in hitters favour I never gave in. I would also mix it up, turn back to the hitter, also sometimes throw hesitation pitch once in awhile.

Lefties- I has two sliders. One I threw like a football, broke kind of flat but threw it hard. Ted Williams didn't like that pitch. If threw them a sinker it would be in on their hands so they couldn't catch up to it.

 

8. Lastly what was your favorite part about pitching from down there?

When I could execute my plan of purposely being a bit wild then throwing that slider in for a strike.