Part 4/10:
Between 2020 and 2023, however, the knuckleball almost disappeared entirely from the MLB landscape. Only three pitchers attempted to throw the pitch during that time, amassing a combined 15 innings pitched and an alarming earned run average (ERA) exceeding 13. This stark decline was attributable in part to the prevailing reliance on power pitching and the advanced analytics that increasingly populate baseball strategy.
Despite its efficacy, the knuckleball has often been misunderstood, with many teams viewing its unpredictability as a liability. High-profile failures and inconsistent performances resulted in a lack of faith in aspiring knuckleballers, leading to the pitch being thrown into baseball's proverbial crypt.