Yankee breaks fastest throw record with 169.8km/h thunderbolt

A Major League outfielder has broken the record for the fastest throw ever recorded in baseball with an amazing 169.8km/h thunderbolt.

Hicks was positioned at left field when Oakland A’s Yonder Alonso popped a fly ball towards him.

After positioning himself under the ball and taking the catch, Hicks then launched a rocket bounce-throw to the catcher, who completed an incredible double play and ended Oakland’s fourth innings by tagging out Daniel Valencia.

The throw, which travelled 75m, was recorded at 169.8km/h (105.5mph) out of the hand, breaking the previous record for the fastest throw of 165.9km/h (103.1mph) by the Houston Astros' Carlos Gomez.

"I tried to make a strong throw, accurate throw, trying to be as fast as I can from catch to throw," Hicks said after the match.

"When you know your ball is not tailing and you've got that nice four-seam going straight, you know you're going to get a solid hop (bounce). I did today."

Hicks also laughed off his new standing as a record holder.

"They need to check that radar gun," he added.

The fastest throw by a pitcher was a 169.1km/h rocket from San Deigo Padres ace Aroldis Chapman in 2010.

Cricket’s quickest ball ever was a 161.3km/h thunderbolt delivered by Pakistan’s Shoaib in 2003.