[CJFusco]

" Phil Niekro knucklballing batters out at 60mph."

Can anyone say "Tim Wakefield?" He has three pitches: 65 mph knuckle, 75 mph curve, 85 mph fastball. All three pitches look the exact same until they get within feet of the batter's box... and the guy can pitch in relief one day, and then start 3 days later. Very versitile... the only problem is that he's either lights-out, or he gets shelled.

Guys like Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling can throw 120+ pitch games without a problem because of their build, guys like Barry Zito and Pedro Martinez need to limit themselves to about 100 pitches because their bodies are simply too small to take the abuse.

"People get all hot and bothered by a 95mph fastball, when in reality someone with great control and the ability to change speeds can get batters out all day long."

Exactly. That's why the Boston media got all bent out of shape when Pedro's fastball didn't top 90 in Spring Training; if he doesn't have velocity, his off-speed stuff won't be as effective. He got hit pretty hard in April and May, but in his last few starts he's been pretty devastating. Surprise, surprise, he's worked his velocity up to 96mph or so. The fastball is probably his least-effective pitch, but it may well be the most important becuase it allows his off-speed stuff to be that much more effective.