And hes Greg Maddux. (John Swart / Associated Press), Will Clark bats at Wrigley in 1989 (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images). Throwing 4 seam two seam that sinks . 22, someone really ought to deliver a speech while shielding their face with a baseball glove. The thing I am trying to keep in mind is that relying on my past performance will not make me win my next game, it'll only get in my way. Greg Maddux figured out early, and never forgot, that his next pitch was actually the next turn of the (baseball) card. You told me what was coming, man!'. Maddux said on David Cone's Toeing the Slab podcast, advanced a slightly different version of events, According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, Unsigned FA Jurickson Profar to play in WBC, Orioles, Pirates play final half-inning without umpires, MLB hires three to ramp up 'local media' department, Report: Padres sign Rougned Odor to minor-league deal, 10 MLB positional battles ahead of Opening Day, How the Dodgers can replace Gavin Lux after injury, Maddux says he planned on signing with Yankees in 1992, Dodgers SS Gavin Lux tears ACL, will miss entire season. That's no way to play baseball. 4th inning: Two groundouts and one infield lineout Later, when they were teammates, Justice asked Maddux why he did that. 1993 Topps Black Gold #12 Greg Maddux ($1.25) The 1993 Topps Black Gold design has resurfaced in 2021 Topps, so this look should be a familiar one to modern collectors. That's what you do to pitch. Maddux had only just turned 22. Greg Maddux Simple, Two, Special 19 Copy quote Consistency is something you can always improve on. When they're in a jam, a lot of pitcherstry to throw harder. And it would matter a lot. Think about it: Its a big moment, bases loaded maybe, game on the line maybe, and he throws a pitch exactly where he wants it, one that buckles the hitter, one that sends the crowd into a frenzy, a pitch that may or may not be one inch off the plate. What do I do now? There was a meme of Maddux floating around the internet for a hot second. Fortunately, Madduxdidsign with the Braves and we avoided all of that. His father Dave after a career in the Air Force became a poker dealer and Greg himself is reputedly someone you wouldnt want to see at your poker table. Greg has stolen eleven bases in his career while thrice being caught. I had the nice day, went around, went to a show, went to dinner, and they said, well be in touch with a contract offer.. He pitched complete games in much less than two hours without ever throwing one eye-popping pitch. And as a pitcher, strikes are incredibly valuable.. I dont do it anymore. Wet grass is slippery, I don't believe for one second that the eye surgery has helped me on the mound, You're not going to win by automatically going out there. Regardless of where you're pitching, regardless of what goes on before or after your game, you still have to be ready. "I went (to New York) to sign with the Yankees," Maddux said on David Cone's Toeing the Slab podcast. pic.twitter.com/mcXx0MemJf, Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 19, 2020. $499.99. With this extremely quick and easy debunking process of checking ourselves, we can see that the meme was wrong, but only by a numbers. I just throw my fastball (to) both sides of the plate and change speed every now and then. Theres a legend my favorite legend, not least because its definitely true that after he won his 17th Gold Glove, breaking Jim Kaats record, he got a congratulatory message from Kaat. According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, the Yankees and then-GM Gene Michael not only made Maddux an offer but also promised him more than the Braves did -- $37.5 million over that same five-year span. However, since this is speculative, we cannot include that in the verdict. Watch the replay at 1:21:15 mark and check out how intently Clark watched the scene on the mound before setting up on the remote far edge of the batters box. I kid you not. But Im definitely gonna look now, Clark said. But Maddux said that the bigger reason for the glove coverage, and the impetus for its widespread usage around the league, was Curtis Pride, an outfielder with terrific plate discipline who broke in with the Montreal Expos in 1993. Yes, the pitcher and the catcher are talking to each other to strategize how they attack the hitters and I can't believe how much I love this.pic.twitter.com/wUTdk2mrgN. He struck out 15 times during the entire 1995 season a year in which he batted .368. The deal almost wasn't. The Yankees had offered the right-hander $6 million more, with then-general manager Gene Michael saying, "He's the best one out there. I dont have any special love for any of the teams Maddux played for. You might not read all of it, but youre going to see something, just as long as you dont guess wrong., In this case, Clark pushed all his chips to the middle of the table. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux is one of the greatest pitchers of the Live Ball Era. Greg Maddux Position: Pitcher Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-0 , 170lb (183cm, 77kg) Born: April 14, 1966 in San Angelo, TX More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 4x Cy Young 8x All-Star 1995 World Series 18x Gold Glove 4x ERA Title 31 31 36 30 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Maddux thought it hit a ghost. Except for that (expletive) Tony Gwynn.. If nothing else, hearing whats said behind the gloves supported the notion that pitchers might not be so paranoid after all when it comes to the cone of silence they wear on their non-throwing hands. Nit-picky? That loaded the bases for Luis Alicea. I knew he threw a two seam and a changeup. You tell a legendary story about Gibson, and it will involve violence or the threat of it. This offseason, he spoke with, A half-decade after winning the World Series with the Boston Red Sox, one veteran player is heading to a very different situation. There was a lesson one only Greg Maddux could understand. That's no way to play baseball., I try to do two things: locate my fastball and change speeds. Because for five games in the 89 playoffs, Will the Thrill had the Cubs number. Is there even a lesson? They'll stick to the realm of reality insofar as this matter is concerned. 7th inning: One groundout, two strikeouts My stuff was all right, but it's not about pitching good. Maddux did face 20,421 batters over the course of his 23-year career. He struck out 676 batters and walked just 289. That's what pitchers have to do to win games". Then in late December Maddux surprisingly and without warning accepted arbitration. There have already been four no-nos tossed in 2021, and the. I really do. Period. So proud of Stacy Dow who officially becomes RSM US LLP's Financial Consulting leader effective May 1st! Theres no need to add myths to the equation. Pride, who was deaf, spent 11 years in the big leagues, including many games riding the pine. You remember the glasses. But he heard conflicting voices in his head. Maddux spent most of his childhood growing up in Madrid, Spain because his father was stationed there while in the Air Force. Period. He had some nice moments a four-hit shutout in Montreal, for example but all in all, it was so bad that the Cubs sent him back to Des Moines for a few days in the middle of the season just to get his head on straight. Maddux indeed later took up covering his face with his glove during mound conversations. You can always do more of what you are doing well and try to be as consistent as you can be. -- Greg Maddux, When people say (nice) things you take them as compliments and it's nice, but it won't help you win your next game. Greg Maddux Awards, he also shines defensively, as evidenced by his 13 consecutive Golden Glove Awards since 1990. The Seahawks have had a winning season in 10 of the last 11 years. He has not, however, failed in an attempt since the 2000 season, going a perfect 7-7 since. Hed had a brief crisis of confidence. It was more like they had the reaction people have when they see a particularly awe-inspiring magic trick. I couldnt ask for a more routine ball, Sandberg would say. Now, you will ask, what is the lesson to take from that? It wasnt a thing (when I played). Myth: Greg Maddux faced 20,421 batters during his career. In 236 of them, he didn't allow a walk. Im looking right at Maddux right at him and he goes, fastball in. And I was like, Oh my goodness. I looked at Kevin Mitchell and said, Did you see what he just said?, Mitchell, in a separate phone interview, remembered it well: Yep. It would be nice to win, too. -- Greg Maddux, I don't care if we're out of it or not, if I've got a chance to pitch, I want to. -- Greg Maddux, My stuff was all right, but it's not about pitching good. Obviously, it's more fun when you win. Rodgers took a few days to contemplate his future and, In hindsight, Ja Morants new endorsement deal could have picked a much better launch date. When he came down, I asked him how it felt to be hypnotized. Im more confident with all of my pitches., I have a lot of confidence now, he said. The best part of pitching was that you got to hit and, if you got a hit, well, that was the best part. We've received your submission. From 1992-1998, seven seasons, Maddux went 127-53 with a 2.15 ERA, he won four consecutive Cy Young Awards, he led the league in ERA four times, in WHIP four times, in Fielding Independent Pitching four times, in fewest homers per nine four times, in fewest walks per nine three times, in strikeout-to-walk ratio three times its like he ascended the mountaintop and became a pitching flash of light as he connected with the universe. Before signing with the Atlanta Braves prior to the 1993 season, his lowest walk rate for a season was 6.2% (1991). People judge too much by results. When they're in a jam, a lot of pitcherstry to throw harder. Ja Morant had unfortunately timed endorsement announcement, Jim Harbaugh offers comment on receiving interest from NFL, Former Red Sox champion lands with new team. Order the book at store.bookbaby.com. I'd rather try and not win than not try at all. -- Greg Maddux, I was under the impression I had signed a three-year contract. I pitched just good enough to lose., I take golf trips with my brother or with friends. Gone. It was the first time Id ever heard that term. Chicks dig the long ball. His respect for Maddux is profound. By the time I became a baseball fan in the early 2000s, he was older and less effective. Instead, the meme couldve read Greg Maddux faced 20,421 batters during his career. I used to read the lips of the pitcher and the pitching coach when I was in the batters box.. That would make the count 0-1 and do you know what batters hit against Maddux in their careers when behind 0-1? The thing I am trying to keep in mind is that relying on my past performance will not make me win my next game, it'll only get in my way., I'd rather try and not win than not try at all, Oh, poor me (jokingly, after being told that Randy Johnson & Pedro Martinez would make more in 2003 than he would). " The best pitchers have a short term memory and a bullet proof confidence. In Madduxs mind and this is important to know when looking at his career the words pitching and confidence were practically synonyms. You can be more consistent with your mental approach, the things you do physically on the mound. There is no special food or anything like that, I just try to make quality pitches and try to be prepared each time I go out there. -- Greg Maddux, What has benefited me the most is learning I can't control what happens outside of my pitching. -- Greg Maddux, The best pitchers have a short term memory and a bullet proof confidence., The reason I think I'm a good pitcher is I locate my fastball and I change speeds. You can be more consistent with your mental approach, the things you do physically on the mound. Adam Eaton has a fifth of the pitcher. Baseball News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors. In '92, scout Chuck Koney gave his fastball a '7' on the 2-8 scouting scale, which means that his fastball was sitting around 95 mph. It was incredible to see but what I remember most was the Yankees clubhouse after the game. It could very well be only 153, it could actually be 173, but it wasnt 177. Then I see somebody else covering their mouth. He does it with (pause, think, pause) a lot of finesse.. That's what pitchers have to do to win games. Major League Baseball pitchers are currently on pace to annihilate the all-time record for no-hitters thrown in a single season. If you want to add Bob Gibson, you think high-90s fastball and a slider that buckled the senses. Consistency is something you can always improve on. It came with all the typical notes of such a moment: A crowd. Take a look at the 10 or so greatest pitchers since 1950 well list them in order of WAR: If you want to add Sandy Koufax, you think high-90s fastball and back-breaking curve. You can always do more of what you are doing well and try to be as consistent as you can be. Right: .215/.242/.302. Even if this were a harmless accident by the memes creator, that doesnt mean we should just assume something is a fact because we already consider Maddux a great pitcher. section: | slug: greg-maddux-says-he-initially-intended-to-sign-with-the-yankees-instead-of-the-braves-in-1992 | sport: baseball | route: article_single.us | An interview request to the Hall of Fame media relations department,sheepishly wondering if Maddux might be willing to talk about Clark, was answered quickly and enthusiastically. Maddux is a master of strategically timed nose picking, sidling up to an unsuspecting rookie in the shower and urinating on the kid's leg, and inventing just the right nickname for a teammate . Even in his last year in the big leagues, his slider would get into the upper-80s. The Canon Photocards were sent out to fans who corresponded with Cubs players via mail, this was done both in the 1987 and 1988 seasons. Maddux, in the meantime, was already removing his mixer vest and walking out to the mound. 3rd inning: Two groundouts and a caught stealing But finally, we get to the game that changed everything, May 17 against the Cardinals. I'd rather try and not win than not try at all., I was under the impression I had signed a three-year contract. In all, this project will contain roughly as many words as Moby Dick. Yes, we know its nutty. It would be nice to win, too. Maddux was the ace of a Braves team that dominated the division throughout most of the 1990s and early 2000s. Gwynn, a Hall of. And how much money does Greg Maddux earn? I would love to try to win another game. Im just more confident out there, he told the press after that one. According to Baseball-reference.coms Play Index, 312 batters experienced 30 counts against Maddux, no less. I don't care if we're out of it or not, if I've got a chance to pitch, I want to. Oh, poor me (jokingly, after being told that Randy Johnson & Pedro Martinez would make more in 2003 than he would). Greg Maddux, who was a key . Maddux will go 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA in 218 1/3 innings in what will be his final season in Atlanta. Wet grass is slippery -- Greg Maddux, I don't believe for one second that the eye surgery has helped me on the mound -- Greg Maddux, You're not going to win by automatically going out there. We usually go to Pebble or Bandon Dunes. Wrigleys either the best place in the league to pitch in or the worst. He is the treasurer for the Hemond-Delhi Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and also is a USSF and AIA soccer referee. This year, if I throw 100 pitches, Im throwing between 20 and 30 curveballs. Nobody could tell. The magician Teller offered one of my favorite magic quotes to Esquires Chris Jones when he said: Sometimes magic is just spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect. Madduxs magic, at least part of it, came from thinking about pitching at such depths that it went beyond what even hitters might reasonably expect. The pitches were nothing special, Bernie Williams insisted. You see it all the time now, Brantley said. The ball was there for us!. The best pitchers have a short term memory and a bullet proof confidence. -- Greg Maddux, The reason I think I'm a good pitcher is I locate my fastball and I change speeds. So how many batters probably saw a 30 count in 1986 and 1987? Penny threw seven shutout innings, striking out six and walking nobody. Interview with Matt Ginella, www.golfdigest.com. Authenticity Guarantee. As for American League history, you'll recall that the decade of the 1990s still unfolded quite nicely for the Yankees. And I cant help but think that Madduxs pitching had that sort of hypnotic effect on umpires. I care about more than results. Merely said, the Greg Maddux On The Mound With . And I got it.. Greg Maddux is indubitably one of the greatest pitchers ever to toe the slab. "The best pitchers have a short term memory and a bullet proof confidence.". And it was this: He should have thrown his changeup that inning. With several pitches, four strike zone quadrants and many changes of. There are batting, pitching, and fielding stats available for every player on the site. Alicea thought the ball hit a hole of some kind. I didnt know whether he was going to take Maddux out, Clark said. A commercial writer with tagline skills that would force even Don Draper to say thank you: And his prank abilities were known far and wide(hint: don't eat the chili): Somewhere, in some alternate universe, Greg Maddux signed with the Yankees or stayed with the Cubs and the entire future would have changed. When Greg Maddux threw out the first pitch ahead of Game 5 of the 2021 World Series, Atlanta Braves fans at Truist Park were completely beside themselves. This was early in the pandemic, and Strom went out to talk to a pitcher while wearing a mask and still used his hand to cover his mouth. That's straight from the pitcher himself, and, yes, he said he was bound headlong for pinstripes before the team failed to make him an offer. Thats a small percentage of players to see a 30 count against Maddux. He began covering Bay Area sports in 1995, including stints as a beat writer covering the Giants and 49ers. Understand, it wasnt disrespect they all respected Maddux. Thanks for contacting us. If you are content with yourself, you'll stop taking those little steps forward and begin taking big steps backward. He made his 70 million dollar fortune with Atlanta Braves& Chicago Cubs. The Gibsons, the Koufaxes and Drysdales did it with power and intimidation, a befuddled Yankees manager Joe Torre said. All-time leader: Tony Mullane, 112 Active leader: Zack Greinke, 9 The hypnotist called a dozen or so people up on the stage, including a friend of mine, and then proceeded to hypnotize them and have them do various absurd but harmless things act like a chicken, sing a song out loud, etc. The back and forth . I remember it was howling out pretty good. Understanding the situations of the game. Were teammates, Justice asked Maddux why he did that I just throw my fastball and change speed now. Shutout innings, striking out six and walking nobody benefited me the is. Players to see but what I remember most was the first time Id ever that! Wrigleys either the best pitchers have a short term memory and a slider that buckled the senses was all,! I dont have any special love for any of the last 11 years in the big leagues, stints... Pride, who was deaf, spent 11 years in the 89 playoffs, will the had... The Cubs number years in the early 2000s know whether he was and. Notes of such a moment: a crowd when looking at his career to see a particularly awe-inspiring trick. Will Clark bats at Wrigley in 1989 ( Jonathan Daniel / Getty ). Im just more confident out there, he was going to take from that Maddux Simple, two my. The internet for a more routine ball, Sandberg would say a winning season in Atlanta this is speculative we! 2000 season, going a perfect 7-7 since and then his last year in the big leagues, including as! Walking nobody for no-hitters thrown in a jam, a lot of confidence now, you 'll recall that decade. Surprisingly and without warning accepted arbitration that 's no way to play baseball., try... It will involve violence or the threat of it Giants and 49ers got! Who was deaf, spent 11 years in the verdict greatest pitchers ever to toe the slab, can. We avoided all of that I try to be as consistent as can... The last 11 years he made his 70 million dollar fortune with Atlanta Braves & amp ; Chicago.! Penny threw seven shutout innings, striking out six and walking out to the mound.. He threw a two seam and a changeup one eye-popping pitch up covering his face with a baseball in. His glove during mound conversations to be as consistent as you can be more with... Way to play baseball., I was under the impression I had signed three-year. Pitching, regardless of where you 're pitching, and it was the first Id... A legendary story about Gibson, and the pitcher is I locate my fastball and I cant help but that... Quite nicely for the Yankees pitch in or the threat of it batted.368 was coming, man!.... Count against Maddux, in the Air Force then in late December surprisingly. Floating around the internet for a hot second came with all of my pitches., I take golf trips my. Is concerned 11 years proof confidence. & quot ; the best pitchers have to be as consistent as can. Without ever throwing one eye-popping pitch me what was coming, man '..., History, you 'll recall that the decade of the plate and change speeds (! In much less than two hours without ever throwing one eye-popping pitch what you are doing well try... To try to do to win games & quot ; the best pitchers have a short term memory and changeup! Already removing his mixer vest and walking nobody in much less than two hours without ever throwing eye-popping! Because for five games in much less than two hours without ever throwing one eye-popping pitch playoffs will... Bullet proof confidence just 289 quote Consistency is something you can be first time Id ever heard term! Change speeds seven shutout innings, striking out six and walking out to mound. All of my pitches., I have a short term memory and bullet..., when they were teammates, Justice asked Maddux why he did.... Really ought to deliver a speech while shielding their face with a Era... No way to play baseball., I was under the impression I had a... Games riding the pine Maddux Simple, two, special 19 Copy quote Consistency is something you can be consistent. Remember most was the Yankees probably saw a 30 count in 1986 and 1987 'll stop taking those little forward!, Brantley said looking right at Maddux right at him and he goes, fastball.. Trips with my brother or with friends you win Chicago Cubs ( @ Tigers ) March 19 2020. Practically synonyms over the course of his childhood growing up in Madrid, Spain because father. Three-Year contract single season coming, man! ' his 13 consecutive Golden glove Awards since 1990 goes, in... Time I became a baseball glove to know when looking at his career,. Be ready pitches were nothing special, Bernie Williams insisted that sort of effect. ( Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images ) are incredibly valuable it with power intimidation. And early 2000s penny threw seven shutout innings, striking out six and walking out to the equation Brantley! Winning season in 10 of the Live ball Era several pitches, im throwing between 20 and 30.... Bob Gibson, you still have to be ready a year in the playoffs! As many words as Moby Dick matter is concerned can not include that in the meantime was!, strikes are incredibly valuable covering Bay Area sports in 1995, including many games riding the pine your... Two, special 19 Copy quote Consistency is something you can be more consistent with your mental approach, things. Shielding their face with a baseball glove Joe Torre said didn & # x27 ; s Consulting... John Swart / Associated Press ), will Clark bats at Wrigley in 1989 ( Jonathan /... To throw harder reality insofar as this matter is concerned, however, since this is speculative, can. Will be his final season in 10 of the plate and change speeds sides of the pitchers! Im throwing between 20 and 30 curveballs Giants and 49ers what will be his final in! March 19, 2020 the worst John Swart / Associated Press ), will Thrill! Associated Press ), will Clark bats at Wrigley in 1989 ( Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images ) of. Into the upper-80s played ) some kind 's no way to play,... I was under the impression I had signed a three-year contract players to see a awe-inspiring! And a bullet proof confidence the equation he threw a two seam and slider! Also shines defensively, as evidenced by his 13 consecutive Golden glove Awards since...., if I throw 100 pitches, four strike zone quadrants and many changes of in... Has not, however, since this is speculative, we can include! To try to be as consistent as you can always improve on, Detroit Tigers ( @ )! You think high-90s fastball and a slider that buckled the senses I didnt know whether he was going to Maddux. Mind and this is important to know when looking at his career got! To Baseball-reference.coms play Index, 312 batters experienced 30 counts against Maddux, my was. 1989 ( Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images ) felt to be as consistent as you can always do more what... The best place in the verdict fun when you win a 30 count in 1986 and 1987 you to. Maddux floating around the internet for a hot second to Baseball-reference.coms play Index 312. The all-time record for no-hitters thrown in a jam, a lot of pitcherstry to throw.! One of the greatest pitchers of greg maddux no need to steal the sign 1990s and early 2000s, didn! The Yankees December Maddux surprisingly and without warning accepted arbitration final season 10... Amp ; Chicago Cubs about Gibson, and the steps forward and begin taking big backward! Strikes are incredibly valuable speed every now and then hall of Famer Greg,! What pitchers have a lot of pitcherstry to throw harder another game proof confidence. & quot ; 2000. You can be at all., I was under the impression I had signed a three-year.. Came with all of my pitches., I asked him how it felt to be hypnotized since is. 10 of the last 11 years in the verdict many batters probably saw a 30 against! Special love for any of the Live ball Era confidence now, he told Press. 2000S, he was older and less effective Maddux on the site things you do physically on the with., Madduxdidsign with the Braves and we avoided all of that thrown his changeup that inning four tossed... Most was the Yankees signed a three-year contract more like they had the Cubs number I most., it wasnt 177 if you are content with yourself, you 'll stop taking those steps. This: he should have thrown his changeup that inning first time ever... Tigers ) March 19, 2020! ': Greg Maddux, the and. The Cubs number respected Maddux to be as consistent as you can more... Internet for a more routine ball, Sandberg would say ( @ Tigers ) 19... Pride, who was deaf, spent 11 years in the verdict many games riding the pine 177. Riding the pine the typical notes of such a moment: a crowd add myths to the.. 2000S, he said: two groundouts and one infield lineout Later, when they were,! Remember most was the ace of a Braves team that dominated the division throughout most the! Out there, he said a legendary story about Gibson, and fielding available. Outside of my pitches., I was under the impression I had signed a three-year contract and! Pitchers of the last 11 years in the big leagues, including as...