Greg Maddux is finally retiring. I don't know if there is a pitcher that I have more respect for then Maddux. He is 8th all-time in wins with 355. Up until this year Maddux was an eight-time All-Star and won at least 13 games in 20 straight seasons. Not bad for a guy who struggled to throw 86 most of his career. He was the ultimate "pitcher", placing the ball exactly where he wanted to. In a time when it seems like everyone throws hard, and lacks control. Maddux was the guy who had so much control over his pitcher, that it more then made up for his lack of stuff, and speed. We will miss you Maddux...chicks dig the long ball.
The Dodgers really needed a starting pitcher after putting Brad Penny on the disabled list last week. Maddux doesn't have a great record but his ERA is only 3.99, and much like Paul Byrd, he is a guy who will get the ball over the plate and doesn't get himself into unnecessary trouble. I always loved Greg Maddux and it will be great to see him get another shot at a playoff spot. We all know that Manny has been carrying this team since he has got there, and the Dodgers are serious playoff contenders.
Greg Maddux is the best pitcher of our generation. Last night against Colorado, he got win #350 with 6 scoreless innings. Five more wins and he’ll pass Roger Clemens for 8th all-time.
Maddux always got just a bit overshadowed by Clemens, but with the revelation of Roger’s numerous indiscretions on and off the field, it’s time for Greggles to get even more respect.
Maddux is one of the most consistent pitchers ever. He won at least 15 games a season from 1988 to 2004. He was in the top 5 in ERA every season from 1992 to 2002 (except 1999, when he was 8th).
He’s also a workhorse. He threw 200+ innings 18 times, 230+ innings 11 times, and 250+ innings 4 times. He has 109 complete games, 35 shutouts, averaged 6.8 innings a start, made 33+ starts for 12 straight seasons (1996 to 2007), and 25+ starts in 21 straight seasons.
He could hit, too. He has a career average of .172, which is decent for a pitcher. He’s got 5 career homeruns, 267 career hits, and in 1998 he hit .240.
And he could field. He’s got more Gold Gloves than anyone in the history of the game with 17.
He’s got 4 Cy Youngs, 4 Pitcher of the Year Awards, 8 All-Star Games (3 starts), a 3.34 post-season ERA, a career 3.12 ERA (2nd lowest among active pitchers), 350 wins (9th all-time), and 3,299 strikeouts (11th all-time). And he’s never been accused of taking steroids. Although…
