Detroit Tigers Fans Should Watch Fastball

All fans of the Detroit Tigers should take 90 minutes of their time to sit down and watch the documentary Fastball. It is currently showing on Netflix.

The documentary is narrated by consummate baseball fan, Kevin Costner, and features plenty of familiar faces from the world of baseball and the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers are heavily represented in the film, so much so that the first voice featured in the film belongs to none other than fastball wielding Justin Verlander.

Featured Pitchers and Players

The film also features small vignettes about Joel Zumaya and former Tigers pitcher David Price. Al Kaline appears with a group of iconic Hall-of-Famers along with Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Gwynn, and George Brett. Fastball also featured Hall-of-Famer Bob Gibson. Tigers fans will be sadly reminded of the 17 strikeouts he threw in the 1968 World Series.

As the title suggests, the documentary Fastball is all about the fastball. The film answers the question about who really was is the fastest fastball thrower of all time. It also discusses the issue of whether or not a lightning fast fastball really does rise.

Along with answering age-old questions, the film also delves into the physics of the fastball. Scientists discuss the amount of time that hitters have to react to the pitches and whether or not hitters can actually see the ball. There is a fascinating piece of footage comparing the differences between a 100 mph fastball and a 92 mph fastball.

Favorite Parts of the Film

Players share their anecdotes about facing the toughest of the tough. Torii Hunter shares his stories against tough pitchers. Goose Gossage shares his stories about coming in to relieve. Their stories bring to life the true difficulty of hitting a ball thrown by Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman. I enjoyed David Price’s story about the first time he saw 100 mph on the radar during a game. 

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The film heavily features Nolan Ryan. It is magical to see him age in the video footage from his early days with the Mets to his last pitch with the Rangers. Batters who faced him were afraid of his high-and-tight fastballs because as a young pitcher he was a bit wild. Fortunately for Ryan and his record-setting career, he settled down and hit his spots with ease for 27 years.

The film also features rare footage of Sandy Koufax and the first few innings of his perfect game against the Cubs in September of 1965. The young voice of Vin Scully narrates the footage. The scene is mesmerizing.

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In fact, the entire film is mesmerizing as those who know the fastball the best share everything there is to know about the most amazing pitch in baseball. Frankly, it was over too soon.