Over the years, my once starving interest in baseball has waned to the point that it's non existent.
None the less, I tip my cap to Greg Maddux as he announced his retirement yesterday. Maddux is probably the last of old fashion ball players who played with more than one dimension in a game loaded with specialists.
I've always said that Maddux started a game with one run in his pocket over his opposite number. His ability to field his position, back up the right base, bunt, hit and run the bases always kept his teams close; even when his pitches weren't all that effective.
I don't disagree with some who believe that Maddux was the beneficiary of a large strike zone.
Regardless, in a day when "chicks dig the long ball", I would watch baseball every day if each team was loaded with players like Maddux.
Congratulations to the future hall of famer. Even Bartman would be proud.
3 comments:
Right on Gekko. I was one of the guys who hated Maddux & the Braves during their dominant run of the 1990's. But you can't help but respect the guy. He was always a class act. As for that big strike zone - yes, it existed - but Maddux was the only guy in baseball who could precisely hit that spot 4 inches off the inside corner - over and over again. And it was that ridiculous backwards cutter to left-handers that made him dominant.
I have enjoyed watching Maddux these past few years when his physical skills (not many to begin with) were all but gone. He'd pitch eight innings throwing nothing but medium-speed shit, and he'd still get people out. Not like in his heydey - but he could still embarass the best hitters well into his 40's. He'd still win 12 games next year if he changed his mind.
It'll be a long time - maybe never - before we see our next 355-game-winner.
ja
you said much better than I did.
It is obvious that he deserves to be a unanimous selection to the HOF ..... which means he won't.
All you need to know about "Mad Dog" is that he took LESS money than the North Siders were offering to go to a place that was dedicated to winning....which as a lifelong Cub fan still pains me.
Oh well, maybe the 22nd century will be ours....
Bartman
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