Unraveling Steve Dalkowski’s 110 MPH Fastball: The Making of the Fastest Baseball Pitcher Ever

Dalkowski Miscellany

Table of Contents

A Letter from Pat Gillick

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As a baseball executive, Hall of Famer Pat Gillick guided the Blue Jays to World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, and later with the Phillies in 2008. Long before that he was Steve Dalkowski’s teammate and roommate during Dalko’s transformational 1962 season under Earl Weaver. They were also Rochester Red Wing teammates in 1963 after the injury to Steve’s arm. 

Pat Gillick’s letter to the authors while researching the book is a perfect example of the many players who took the time to speak to the Dalko story. The reason articulated again and again that people wanted to help was because Steve was a friend, a remarkable hurler, and because they believe that his story should be shared with the baseball world.

In this letter, to the authors, Pat speaks to:

1) Steve’s rising fastball;

2) some of components that may have contributed to Dalko’s legendary velocity;

3) Steve’s mechanics (strengths and issues);

4) Earl Weaver’s approach to simplifying pitching for Steve in 1962;

5) injury and treatment protocols in 1963; and

6) the “class” of Dalko’s velocity.

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October 30, 2018

Roomed with Steve (@home) in Elmira 1962–1963.

1) Outstanding mechanics. Was out of the strike zone “up” most of the time. Hit very few players during 1962-1963. His fastball had so much spin and rise that he could “aim” @ 59 feet & the ball when it reached the plate would be high and out of the strike zone. Flexibility in his shoulder, elbow, & wrist were unbelievable. He threw with “no effort.”

2) I signed in 8/1958. Heard about the Cincinnati game. Hitters were all scared because of his control.

3) Earl Weaver made it simple for Steve in 1962. Throw the ball down the middle and use a few more breaking balls. At times Steve would “rush” through his delivery & arm would get ahead of his body. Using more breaking balls slowed his delivery & he carried this over to his fastball. Also, only thinking about 2 pitches certainly helped. [Over] Ball jumped out of his hand & continued to gain altitude.

1963

After Spring Training injury he pitched I believe less than 30 innings.

Treatment – 50 years ago “Rest” was the procedure. Put whatever ails you under hot water. Very few medical operations. Had opportunity to see Ryan, Koufax & Score. Better strike-throwers, but Steve’s velocity was right with these three.

Good Luck,
Pat Gilllick

Notes from Lloyd “The King of New Orleans” Fourroux

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“The King” was one of the eccentric characters of milb during the 1960s.  He was a good friend of Steve’s and an Elmira teammate in 1962 and 1964.

In this correspondence with the authors “The King” speaks to:

1) Steve becoming a “pitcher” during his 10 inning relief performance on June 18, 1962;

2) through it all, Steve was a great guy;

3) to his detriment, Steve followed Bo Belinsky; and

4) Steve’s high IQ.

Here are photos of the notes from “The King,” including a “Student Bus Card” he sent. “The King” just being “The King.”

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Jan 8, 2019 | It was June 18, 1962 and that was the day Steve became a pitcher. 178 pitches 2 Hall of Famers on team “THINK” Earl & Pat   Frank Zupo could really tell the real story. Is the man (Steve) still alive. —King
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Homage to a Nice GuyAs a boy he came and few were to guess his future For he would kick his leg high and no one before had thrown so fast Through a lifetime of being praised and acclaimed his personality remained the same. —King P.S. Could have pitch in higher league if not for Bo

Far Away from Home—The Steve Dalkowski Story

On October 11, 2020, Connecticut Public Television premiered Tom Chiappetta’s documentary film Far From Home: The Steve Dalkowski Story.

The extraordinary life story of the greatest baseball pitcher who never was: New Britain’s own high school sports hero was blessed with athletic talent and a left arm labeled a “gift of the gods” by baseball experts in the 1950s. Frustrations and obstacles including a life-long struggle with alcoholism didn’t prevent him from becoming a “living legend” celebrated by boundless mythical stories. Yet he never pitched a single day in the major leagues.

Vintage Baseball Photos from Dalkowski Teammates

Some of Dalko’s teammates showed their support for our book by sending photos:

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Frank Kostro had a solid 7-year MLB career. He faced Dalko once in 1958, saying, “There were hard throwers and then there was Dalkowski.” As teammates they became good friends during 1962 Winter ball in Puerto Rico.

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HOFer, Pat Gillick, was Steve’s teammate and roommate during Dalko’s transformational 1962 season under Earl Weaver. They were also Rochester Red Wing teammates in 1963 after the injury to Steve’s arm. As a baseball executive, Pat guided the Blue Jays to World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, and later with the Phillies in 2008.

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Frank Peters had a solid 10-year milb career and was Dalko’s teammate in 1964, both Elmira and Stockton.  Frank is well-known for his association with the Portland Mavericks and the splendid 2014 Sundance documentary, The Battered Bastards of Baseball, “The team that put balls back in the game.”