tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650016171809490055.post2838768494807155118..comments2022-03-26T11:20:26.472-07:00Comments on Uncle Scoopy's Ballpark: How far can a major leaguer hit a baseball?Greg Wroblewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15414199261562737952noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650016171809490055.post-67401487839663700682021-01-23T16:17:38.898-08:002021-01-23T16:17:38.898-08:00At sea level indoors, there are only two basic ele...At sea level indoors, there are only two basic elements to calculating the distance of a launched object - launch speed and trajectory. We know the human parameters of the former and we know the physics of the latter. The mechanics of Mantle's swing are irrelevant other than as components of the launch speed. Could he have produced a super-human launch speed with his average height and relatively short arms? Highly, highly, highly unlikely. Imagine the size of Stanton and McGwire, then compare that to Mantle. As I've noted in the article, the physics are well supported by reality. All of the homers longer than 515 feet are attributable to weather or mythology. <br /><br />BUT<br /><br />It is possible to hit a ball more than 500 feet outdoors, at high altitudes, with a strong tailwind. Mantle's famous homer at Griffith Stadium did travel more than 500 feet - but with a 41 MPH tailwind, as Mickey himself often noted.Greg Wroblewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15414199261562737952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650016171809490055.post-27665249809039910942016-01-08T16:48:00.034-08:002016-01-08T16:48:00.034-08:00I have seen accounts by some physics people who be...I have seen accounts by some physics people who believe Mantle could and did indeed hit home runs over 500 feet because of the mechanics of his swing and of course his power and strength. Interesting article you have written for sure. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03123605781258703121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650016171809490055.post-60023322332986886342016-01-08T08:26:42.862-08:002016-01-08T08:26:42.862-08:00The longest home run I have ever seen was hit by S...The longest home run I have ever seen was hit by Sammy Sosa in the early to mid 2000's at PNC park in Pittsburgh. It cleared both bullpens and then bounced on the rounded top of a storage shed behind them and the kept going. The way I saw it, it cleared the shed, but that was apparently not the case. I would love to know how far that would have gone.Rob Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14627521322920498262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650016171809490055.post-36447107065634833862016-01-07T22:19:09.680-08:002016-01-07T22:19:09.680-08:00I couldn't deal with every homer that was clai...I couldn't deal with every homer that was claimed to be 500+. Bonds may have had some in there somewhere. I did think there was enough evidence to conclude that anything greater than 515 is impossible without Mother Nature or Mother Goose.Greg Wroblewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15414199261562737952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650016171809490055.post-18233962876345499592016-01-07T20:32:03.509-08:002016-01-07T20:32:03.509-08:00Wow, thanks for assembling this. Fascinating. I...Wow, thanks for assembling this. Fascinating. I'm a little surprised Bonds didn't hit any 500+ footers. I would have thought some of his monsters would be right up there.kencarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04241138573929408597noreply@blogger.com