What are the keys to being a successful pitcher?
A good fastball? Sure. A nasty curve? Yeah. A change-up, slider or cutter? Okay.
But in the history of baseball, there can be no doubt that there has been an extra element which so many of the game’s most successful pitchers have employed. It has very little to do with pitching skill or ability or training and everything to do with moxie, with attitude, with personality.
A clear line can be drawn through baseball history connecting the pitchers who added the element of intimidation to their game. It has made mediocre pitchers good, good pitchers great and great pitchers immortal.