Metal Ware

Is it true Duke Snider could throw a baseball 500 feet home plate over the centerfield wall in polo grounds?

When Duke played in Brooklyn i have read some interesting stuff like this that he would throw a baseball 500 feet from home plate over the centerfield wall..
is this true?

That sounds like “urban legend” stuff. From what I’ve read “Willie, Mickey & the Duke” were the toast of baseball during the New York era for all three teams. However, for any of these guys to throw a ball that far is hard to believe. Granted. Snider was a great outfielder but “500″ feet? That’s a bit much!

Now if we look at the great throwing arms in baseball history the list has to include players like, Roberto Clemente, Dwight “Dewey” Evans, Dave Parker, Roger Maris, just to name five. All four were right fielders and could bury a base runner from deep right to third base as well as home plate. A throw like that would be 300 feet tops! Ichiro has a comparable arm in today’s game.

Remember, 500 feet is the equivalent length of 1 and 2/3 football fields. That’s a hall my friend!