The
spitball was declared illegal in 1920, but the best spitballer in
history was born in 1938.
Originally a fastball-changeup pitcher, Perry learned the spitter in '64 from veteran Bob Shaw, and immediately got in the starting rotation. Once his slider got under control, he was unstoppable. 1965 - 201 strikeouts, 40 walks. 1966 - 2.61 ERA. 1972 - 1.92 ERA and the Cy Young for the Indians. Later, a Cy Young for the Padres in '78 sealed the most illicit Hall of Fame career ever.