<P> Stephen Louis Dalkowski Jr. ( born June 3 , 1939 ) , nicknamed Dalko , is an American retired left - handed pitcher . He is sometimes called the fastest pitcher in baseball history and had a fastball that probably exceeded 100 mph ( 160 km / h ) . Some experts believed it went as fast as 125 mph ( 201 km / h ) , others that his pitches traveled at 120 mph ( 190 km / h ) or less . As no radar gun or other device was available at games to measure the speed of his pitches precisely , the actual top speed of his pitches remains unknown . Regardless of its actual speed , his fastball earned him the nickname `` White Lightning '' . Such was his reputation that despite never reaching the major leagues , and finishing his minor league years in class - B ball , the 1966 Sporting News item about the end of his career was headlined `` LIVING LEGEND RELEASED . '' </P>
<P> Stephen Louis Dalkowski Jr. ( born June 3 , 1939 ) , nicknamed Dalko , is an American retired left - handed pitcher . He is sometimes called the fastest pitcher in baseball history and had a fastball that probably exceeded 100 mph ( 160 km / h ) . Some experts believed it went as fast as 125 mph ( 201 km / h ) , others that his pitches traveled at 120 mph ( 190 km / h ) or less . As no radar gun or other device was available at games to measure the speed of his pitches precisely , the actual top speed of his pitches remains unknown . Regardless of its actual speed , his fastball earned him the nickname `` White Lightning '' . Such was his reputation that despite never reaching the major leagues , and finishing his minor league years in class - B ball , the 1966 Sporting News item about the end of his career was headlined `` LIVING LEGEND RELEASED . '' </P>
who is the hardest throwing pitcher of all time
who is the hardest throwing pitcher of all time
Stephen Louis Dalkowski Jr.
Stephen Louis Dalkowski Jr.