Apr 19
The Basics
A model of consistency in the pursuit of excellence. Greg Maddux has yearly proved to be one of the best pitchers, not only in the Majors but of all time. With the smaller stadiums, the mound not being as elevated, higher technology and just the quality of players being so much better today that only makes what he’s been able to do more impressive. One could argue that some pitchers during his time were as good or maybe better but looking at the pure stats I find that hard to believe. Sure their are guys with more all star games or more Cy Young’s. Cy Young’s only show a player for one season and often the guy with the best numbers doesn’t even win the award. There’s few nicer guys in the game. We are talking about a guy who gave up his 2001 All Star spot to teammate John Burkett. Greg’s not going to be remembered for things like that though. His low tone and ability to stay out of the media spotlight have made people only realize that this man is a really good pitcher. Greg probably wouldn’t have it any other way though. Upon going for his 300th career win in 2004 he said “300 is just a number”.A 1984 graduate of Valley High School (Las Vegas) he was All-Sate in baseball both his junior and senior seasons. The Chicago Cubs used their 2nd pick in the 1984 Amateur Draft (June 4) to select Maddux. In 1985 he was selected to the Midwest League All Star team.
Greg Maddux made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs at the age of 20 in 1986. After being bounced back and fourths between the Majors and Minors finally on September 4, 1987 he was promoted to the major league roster again. He has been there since. 1988 was a breakthrough year for Greg. He went 18-8 with a 3.18 ERA. He followed that up with a spectacular 1989 season which saw his first postseason appearance against the San Francisco Giants. Maddux went 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in the series and will be long remembered for giving up a homerun to Wil Clark that sent the Giants to the World Series.
When Maddux became a free agent following the 1992 season, he was signed by the Atlanta Braves to then a record deal. He picked right where he left off. In 1995 Maddux became the first pitcher to log back to back seasons with an ERA under 1.80. It was no surprise that he was chosen as NL Cy Young award winner for the fourth time in a row following that season. (1992-1995) The Braves reached the World Series again in 1995 and Maddux started Game 1. The Indians were defenseless notching just 2 hits in 9 innings. The Braves went on to win the series 4 games to 2.
In August of 1997, Maddux signed a new contract with the Braves worth 57.5 Million. Infamous in that deal is that once it was announced the fans began cheering as it was posted on the scoreboard. Maddux was in the dugout so infielder Rafeal Belliard tipped his hat. Maddux finished second in voting for the Cy Young in 1997 finishing just behind Pedro Martinez of the Montreal Expos. Voters had a tough time picking Maddux because team-mate Denny Neagle had such a good season.
Maddux started both the 1994 and 1997 All Star Games. He also was selected to the team in 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 1998.
During the 2002 season Maddux missed a few starts due to injury. However that didn’t stop him from tying Cy Young with a record 15 wins in 15 seasons in a row and adding to his record streak of gold gloves.
In 2003 Maddux broke the tie with Cy Young and in many peoples eyes became the most consistent pitcher in major league history. Following the 2003 season Maddux was not offered arbitration by the Braves. He would later sign a three year deal returning to the Chicago Cubs.
When Greg rejoined the Cubs following the 2003 season he continued his streak of consecutive seasons with 15 wins to a record 17, surpassing Warren Spahn’s 17 years of 14 wins. Greg also notched a milestone 300th win in 2004 and picked up his 14th gold glove award.
In 2005 Greg notched his 3,000th strike out by sitting down Omar Vizquel and was again awarded the Gold Glove at pitcher.
2006 saw Maddux get traded just before the trade deadline. Maddux would help lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the post season, pitching like the Maddux of old.