"LeBron James, Michael Jordan, I don't think any of them would" - Jack Flaherty doubts NBA stars could make contact against 100-mph pitches
Jack Flaherty is a pitcher, not a hitter. Still, he knows the challenges that batters face in the modern MLB. Flaherty typically does not challenge triple digits on the radar gun, but plenty of his counterparts do, which gives hitters a difficult time.
On Tuesday's episode of "The Check Ball Show," Flaherty was asked if any NBA player could step into the box and hit a 100-mile-per-hour fastball.
"I'm trying to think of who played baseball, like, in any shape or form," Flaherty said (16:33). "Michael Jordan? I don't think any of them currently right now would. It's crazy. Like, you took them right now, like, right now, no training, nothing, and you put them in the box. No."
Even with training, it might be difficult for players from any other sport to get to that level. In 2020, Baseball America said that MLB hitters, who are at the height of their sport, were hitting under .200 against 100+ mph fastballs. That makes it difficult to envision anyone, whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan, to hit the ball.
Jack Flaherty opens up on free agency looming during postseason
Jack Flaherty faced a lot of pressure from different angles in the postseason. For starters, he was the LA Dodgers' rotation savior, a trade deadline acquisition that ultimately became their go-to starter.
He also faced the New York Yankees, the most storied franchise in sports. Lastly, once his playoff run was over, he would be a free agent with an unclear future.
Despite all of that, he wasn't too worried.
"That all went away once the regular season was over, like in terms of free agency whenever it whatever happens," Flaherty said (39:00). "You know, the goal this year was to go out and pitch well, and not make up for the way that I pitched last year, but last year was for me felt like an anomaly."
He acknowledged that the playoffs always include facing the best of the best and that it is a fresh start for everyone. The regular season doesn't matter and what he does in October will stay with him.