December 08, 2008
Maddux Says Goodbye
Greg Maddux announced his retirement today:
"I'm just here, really, to say thank you - thank you to everybody in baseball," Maddux said, after an introduction from agent Scott Boras. "I appreciate everything the game has given me. It's going to be hard to walk away, obviously, but it's time. I still think I can play this game, but not as well as I would like to. So it's time to say goodbye."
Maddux's success did not spawn many imitators. The closest today may be Roy Halladay, a pitcher who can keep his pitch count low, still get strikeouts, and go deep into the game. Greg owned the strike zone, especially the outside corners. He had the great gift of putting the ball where batters had to swing, but not where they could make great contact.
Maddux was unbelievable with the bases loaded. For his career, opponents hit .226/.227/.317. Maddux issued five walks with the bases loaded his entire career and allowed just three home runs (he also hit three batters). I remember one game (although I can't find it at the moment) when the Braves were in San Francisco. Maddux loaded the bases with no one out to start the inning. You could see he was disgusted with himself, but came back to get the next three batters without allowing a run. Given the era in which he pitched, and the parks he spent most of his career, Maddux may very well be the greatest pitcher of all time.
A sad day in baseball to see one of the true greats hang it up. Even though he was no longer the pitcher he was in is heyday Maddux was still great to watch in how he approached each hitter. One of the things I loved most about him was his humility. If he had a great game his comment was that his team played great behind him, or that the other team hit the ball hard but he was lucky to have them hit it to someone. I will truly miss him.
Mention his fielding also. Just about perfect.
I remember watching Greg Maddux throw only 78 pitches in a complete game win over the Cubs. He was my favorite player.
Could we see Maddux eclipse the 98.8% totals of Seaver and Ryan on his first ballot? It would be tough with a handful of J-A's out there who are entrenched in the opinion that "no one is a first ballot HOF'er". Still, if anyone has a shot at it, I'd say Maddux does (Ripken got 98.5% for anyone wondering).
