The balk is a pitch that is illegal in Major League Baseball, resulting in an immediate dead ball and advancing all runners. Balks occur when a pitcher fails to deliver a pitch to the plate after coming to a set position or when the pitcher fails to follow the proper pitching procedure. Throughout the history of baseball, some pitchers have been more prone to balks than others. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which pitcher has the most balks.
John Smoltz
John Smoltz is the pitcher with the most balks in Major League Baseball history. Smoltz, who spent most of his career with the Atlanta Braves, holds the record with 109 balks. His career spanned from 1988-2009, and during that time, he was a dominate pitcher, recording 213 wins and 154 losses. He was a part of the Braves rotation that was known as the “Big Three”, along with Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. His 109 balks are the most by any pitcher in the history of the sport.
Other Top Pitchers
While John Smoltz holds the record for most balks, there are several other pitchers who have a high number of balks as well. Jack Morris has the second most balks in history, with 103. Morris was a part of the Detroit Tigers rotation during the 1980s and was a key part of the team that won the 1984 World Series. He is also one of only three pitchers to have pitched a complete game in the World Series.
Another pitcher with a high number of balks is Nolan Ryan. Ryan, who spent the majority of his career with the Houston Astros, recorded 98 balks during his career. Despite his high number of balks, Ryan is widely considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in history. He still holds the record for most strikeouts in a career (5,714) and is one of only two pitchers to have pitched seven no-hitters.
Mike Mussina is another pitcher who has a high number of balks. Mussina, who played for both the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees, has recorded 90 balks during his career. He is also one of only four pitchers to have recorded 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts in his career.
Preventing Balks
For pitchers who are prone to balks, there are a few things that can be done in order to prevent them. One of the most important things for pitchers to remember is to keep their head and eyes on the catcher’s mitt. This will allow them to be aware of the signal the catcher is giving, and will also help them to keep their balance.
Another important thing to remember is to make sure to pause before delivering the pitch. This will allow the pitcher to gather his thoughts, set his feet, and get into the proper mechanics of the delivery. Additionally, it is important to always keep the ball in the glove until the pitcher is ready to deliver the pitch. This will help the pitcher to maintain control of the ball, and will also help to ensure that the delivery will be legal.
Conclusion
The balk is an illegal pitch in Major League Baseball, and some pitchers are more prone to balks than others. John Smoltz holds the record for most balks in history, with 109. Other pitchers with a high number of balks include Jack Morris, Nolan Ryan, and Mike Mussina. There are a few things that pitchers can do in order to prevent balks, including keeping their eyes on the catcher’s mitt and pausing before delivery.