It’s time to have a huge celebration.
That’s right: THE KNUCKLEBALL IS BACK IN THE MAJORS!
Not since 2021, when we saw Mickey Jannis throw one for the Baltimore Orioles, have we seen the pitch that barely rotates, floating through the air before diving all over the place and flummoxing hitters.
This one belongs to San Diego Padres hurler Matt Waldron, who was called up by the team and pitched on Saturday against the Washington Nationals. It wasn’t the only pitch type he threw — dude can throw sliders, sinkers, fastballs, you name it — but he apparently tossed the knuckler over a dozen times.
That included one slow-motion pitch that had everyone in awe:
It's back!
Matt Waldron, Knuckleball. 🦋 pic.twitter.com/kpmpuXQKzB
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 25, 2023
The knuckleball is back
Matt Waldron threw the first knuckleball in an MLB game since Mickey Jannis on June 23, 2021 pic.twitter.com/S7c6TT75Va
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 25, 2023
Matt Waldron, Knuckleball Movement. 🦋
20 Inches of Run. pic.twitter.com/oS3dce5VPd
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 25, 2023
Matt Waldron gave the Padres 4 2/3 solid innings in a spot start. He allowed two solo homers but nothing more.
He also brought the knuckleball back, throwing 14 of them, the first pitcher to do so in the big leagues in more than two years. Here are a few of them: pic.twitter.com/ld0jlFRdQw
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 25, 2023
The game of baseball has been heading in such a good direction lately.
Another thing it needed? A knuckleball.
We back.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) June 25, 2023
The knuckleball is BACK ✊
The San Diego Padres are calling up right-handed knuckleballer Matt Waldron to make his first big league start tomorrow, per @AJCassavell.
Last time MLB saw a non-position player throw one? Mickey Jannis — June 23, 2021.pic.twitter.com/QL2Dn76pln
— John Sparaco™ (@JohnSparaco) June 23, 2023
