Improper throwing while pitching sliders is associated with pitching injuries and slider pitchers experience injuries at a slightly increased rate of other pitchers.

History

The innovator of the slider is debated, but some credit Chief Bender as the first to use the slider, then called a "nickel change", in the 1910s."WISCONSIN Magazine of History",Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Spring 2004 issue. Accessed July 8, 2007. Bender used his slider to help him achieve a no-hitter and win 212 games in his career. Bender was the first pitcher to win six World Series games. More recently, NY Yankee pitcher Ron Guidry mastered the pitch to great effect in 1978 when he went 25-3 and won the Cy Young award. It is also the name of the Cleveland Indians mascot who was recently inducted into the mascot hall of fame.