Article: ATTACKING WITH THE 'YAKKER' BEDARD JOINED THE ELITE WHEN HE MASTERED HIS CURVEBALL.(Special Section)

Byline: JOHN HICKEYP-I reporter

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The first thing people want to talk about when discussing Erik Bedard is how hard he throws. As a left-hander who touches 95 mph with his fastball, that's not surprising.

But as good as Bedard's fastball is, it's not the pitch major league hitters need to fear. And it's not the pitch that convinced the Mariners to part with prized outfield prospect Adam Jones to get Bedard in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.

Hitters should wary of Bedard's curveball, a pitch he mastered just two years ago after experimenting with his grip while working out after the 2005 season near his Ottawa, Ont., home.

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