Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1984 and made his debut in September of 1986. Strange but his first appearance was as a pitch runner.

He would play for the Cubs from 1986 to 1992, earning the Cy Young award in 1992 with a 20-11 record. From 1988 to 1992 Maddux would win 87 and lose 57. That was a .604 winning percentage. Maddux credits most of his accomplishments to the advice he received from his pitching coach Dick Pole.

He was a free agent following the 1992 season and the Cubs couldn’t find the money to match other offers.He would sign on with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent for 1993 season and enjoy an amazing successful career with the Braves.

The non-signing of Maddux is regarded as one of the worst moves in Chicago Cubs history--think Lou Brock.

From 1993 to 2003 Greg Maddux would team up with one the best starting rotations of Tom Glavine, Steve Avery and John Smoltz. During those 11 seasons Maddux would win 194 games while losing just 88. After winning the Cy Young award with the Cubs in 1992 Maddux would earn the coveted title the next 3 years making in 4 in a row.

The list of accomplishments puts him in the class of top pitchers of all time. Starting with the 1988 season with the Cubs Greg Maddux would win at least 15 games for the next 17 years, the longest streak in history.

Maddux is also a member of the 300 win club with 355 wins. He is a member of the 3000 strike out club with 3,371. As I mentioned 4 time Cy Young award, 8 time All Star and 18 time Gold Glove winner.

It was nice to have his 300th win (August 7, 2004)and 3000th strikeout (July 26, 2005) as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

Another club he belongs to is the 300 win club, 3000 strike out club and less than 1,000 walk club. Maddux was not a power pitcher. He was successful by hitting his location and late ball movement. He was also one of the best in studying the opposing hitters. He knew how to pitch to their weakness and was always looking a way to take the advantage when he could. He had a tremendous memory of what he was successful with against a hitter and what he wasn't.

As evidence with his 18 consecutive gold gloves he was an all around good baseball player. Not a bad hitter there was an area he excelled at. His ability to put down a bunt. So many pitchers have the chance to help the club in this area and fail. Not Greg Maddux. He knew this was needed and he rarely failed.

Greg had a couple of nicknames that make you wonder. The first was "Mad Dog" because of his competitive spirit and wanting to win. The other was "The Professor" for his ability to study and learn from the game. He always knew what he was up against and how best to use that information.

Following the 2003 season Greg Maddux was again a free agent and to many surprised fans he signed on again with the Cubs. The 2004 season was a remarkable one as he posted his 300th win and 3000th strike out.

However 2004, 2005 and 2006 were not great season for the Cubs so before the trading deadline in 2006 the Cubs traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This trade was with his blessing as the Cubs were looking to save payroll and Maddux would be closer to his home in Las Vegas. The Cubs to their credit did all they could.

Maddux would finish up his career by going back and forth between the Dodgers then to the Padres and finally back to the Dodgers. Maddux decided to hang them up in 2008 completing 23 years and 355 wins. But baseball has not heard the last of Greg Maddux. He left his heart in Chicago and Wrigley Field. He has signed on as assistant General Manager to Jim Hendry effective January 2010.

What the future holds is to be seen. It is without a doubt Greg Maddux will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Greg Maddux had his number retired not once but twice. The Cubs bestowed the honor on May 3, 2009 along with Ferguson Jenkins of the same number 31.

The Atlanta Braves also retired his number 31 on July 17, 2009.

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