Baseball is a sport that has been around for over a century, and with the game comes a variety of words and phrases that are only used to describe the game and its players. One of the most popular (and perhaps most confusing) phrases used in baseball is “stinky cheese.” So, what does stinky cheese mean in baseball?
Definition of Stinky Cheese
The term “stinky cheese” is used to describe a pitcher who throws a pitch that is so slow, it’s almost like a cheese wheel rolling across the plate. It’s a term that is often used to describe a pitch that is much slower than what the batter is expecting, and is often accompanied by a loud thud when the ball hits the catcher’s mitt.
Origin of the Term
The origins of the term “stinky cheese” are a bit murky, but it is believed to have originated in the late 19th century. The phrase is thought to have been coined by pitcher Candy Cummings, who had a knack for throwing slow, deceptive pitches. Cummings was known for his ability to “lay down a stinky cheese” on the batter, and the phrase quickly caught on with other pitchers and baseball fans alike.
Why Is It Called Stinky Cheese?
The phrase “stinky cheese” is used to describe a pitch that is slow and smells bad, much like a wheel of Limburger cheese. Limburger cheese has a strong smell due to its high levels of bacteria, which is why it is often used to describe a slow and smelly pitch in baseball.
Benefits of Throwing Stinky Cheese
The main benefit of throwing stinky cheese is that it can be an effective way to throw off a batter. While it’s not the most effective pitch, it can be a useful tool in the arsenal of any pitcher. It can cause the batter to swing at a slow pitch, which can lead to an easy out or strikeout.
How to Throw Stinky Cheese
Throwing stinky cheese can be a difficult skill to master, but it’s not impossible. To throw stinky cheese, a pitcher must have strong control over their pitch and must be able to throw it with a slower velocity than normal. It also helps to have a good arm angle, as this will help create a late break on the pitch.
Conclusion
The phrase “stinky cheese” is an oft-used phrase in baseball that has been around for over a century. It is used to describe a pitch that is slow and smells bad, much like a wheel of Limburger cheese. The phrase is thought to have originated with pitcher Candy Cummings, who was known for his ability to “lay down a stinky cheese” on the batter. Throwing stinky cheese can be a difficult skill to master, but it can be an effective way to throw off a batter.