Helmar “This Great Game” Card #28 – Ewell Blackwell (Cincinnati Reds)

The Helmar portrait of Ewell Blackwell captures the wiry, almost elastic frame of one of baseball’s most intimidating pitchers. His long right arm is extended in follow-through, frozen in a motion that seems to cut across the frame at an impossible angle. The artist’s rendering emphasizes the whip-like energy of his delivery, the red sleeve of his throwing arm slicing vividly through the composition. The soft blues and greens of the background diamond contrast against his bright uniform, drawing the viewer’s eye to Blackwell’s determined, slightly mischievous expression. The result is a portrait alive with motion, evoking the fearsome sidearm delivery that defined his legend.

Born in Fresno, California, in 1922, Ewell Blackwell earned the nickname “The Whip” for his long, side-armed pitching motion that seemed to release the ball from first base rather than the mound. Standing 6'6” and lean as a rail, he was one of the most feared pitchers of the late 1940s. From 1947 through 1950, he was among the National League’s elite hurlers, leading the league in strikeouts twice and winning 22 games in his remarkable 1947 season, when he threw a no-hitter and narrowly missed a second in consecutive starts. A six-time All-Star, Blackwell’s career was shortened by injuries, but his peak left an unforgettable impression on batters and fans alike. His unique motion inspired a generation of pitchers to experiment with new angles and deliveries.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series celebrates the personalities that gave baseball its drama and flair. Card No. 28 honors Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell—a flamethrower whose style and swagger made him one of the most memorable pitchers of his time.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.