Sometimes, ballplayers who don't look like they should be fantastic just are.
On the surface, there's nothing too impressive about them—no God-given gift which makes them stand out from their peers at a young age.
But when they step onto the field, they put on the show of a lifetime.
Greg Maddux is the epitome of such a player.
Maddux won four straight Cy Young Awards from 1992-1995. During that span, he posted a .721 winning percentage and a 1.98 ERA—in a hitter's era, no less.
So what has made Maddux's magnificence possible?
Before we dive into that question, let's talk about what didn't make it possible—the gifts Maddux didn't have that many Major League pitchers rely upon to win on a regular basis.
Velocity: Maddux's fastball averaged around 89-90 mph in his prime; as he's gotten older, his velocity has topped out around 85 mph.
Out Pitches: Maddux has never had Roger Clemens' forkball, Barry Zito's curve, or Randy Johnson's slider.
Intimidation: Maddux is one of the least intimidating mound presences in recent memory. At a mere 6 feet and 170 pounds, the guy makes David Eckstein look like a force to be reckoned with.
The lack of these qualities is the primary reason Maddux has never struck out 250 batters in a season. It's the reason hitters were never afraid they'd pay for crowding the plate.
But somehow, Greg Maddux was far and away the best pitcher in baseball during the mid-90s.
So how did he do it?
Control.
Maddux had better control than anyone I've ever seen. He could put that 90 mph two-seamer wherever the hell he wanted to.
Braves teammate Tom Glavine was infamous for painting the outside corner, consistently expanding the strike zone to his advantage.
Maddux, on the other hand, could turn any part of the plate into the Mona Lisa at will. At the height of his career, he'd have six extra inches to work with, both inside and out.
Maddux had a sizable arsenal of pitches, too; his circle-change was money, and his curve and slider were solid.
But on their own, none of these pitches could have won him four straight Cy Young Awards. Only by combining a variety of different pitches—and locating them with pinpoint precision—was Maddux able to dominate the mound like few in Major League Baseball history ever have.
It takes talent to strike out 20 batters in a game. Whenever a pitcher approaches this mark, fans go nuts. Years ago, when Kerry Wood K'd 20 batters, it was the first story reported on SportsCenter that evening.
But it takes even more talent to get 20 hitters to ground out in a game—to dominate your opponent not with some divinely-bestowed acumen, but by locating your pitches and outthinking each hitter who steps into the box.
The sign of a truly outstanding pitcher is when opposing batters can get wood on the ball...but can't seem to get on base.
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about 1 year ago
I would say "Control and deception" are what made Maddux good, along with a strong work ethic, but basically I agree, which is a first for this series (no offense meant).
from about 1 year ago
No offense taken. He's the first true "legend" discussed in the series..a player who can cross the generational gap with ease.
about 1 year ago
Great article....I used to be a Braves fanatic, but have toned it down since becoming a football fan.
One issue though.....I'm pretty sure he wasn't 89-90 in his prime. If I recall correctly, he threw high 80's to low 90's when he was a terrible pitcher with the Cubbies at the beginning of his career, and then was 84-87 (rarely higher) when he was dominant with the Braves.
about 1 year ago
Just took a look back at this Cubs stats, didn't realize he had good years with them. I wonder how fast he threw then....I do know he was 84-87 consistently with the Braves though.
from about 1 year ago
Yeah, his first Cy was with the Cubs (92'). And he was more than solid with them from 88-91' as well.
Maddux's speed veried on how much action he put on his fastball. I'd say his classic two seamer with signficiant sink and tail ranged from 85-89 mph during his prime with the Braves, as I recall. Either way, bottom line is he wasn't a power pitcher.
about 1 year ago
Somehow you screwed up writing about Gred Maddux. This one was almost unreadable. Do your kids a favor and don't talk to them about baseball.
from about 1 year ago
I might have indeed screwed up on Gred Maddux...but his brother Greg really kicked ass.
about 1 year ago
This whole series doesn't make any sense.
about 1 year ago
Baseball Writers to Never Tell My Kids About, Volume I: Zander Freund
from about 1 year ago
What are you talking about? Do you not appreciate a well written tribute to one of the 5 greatest baseball players of the last 25 years? Shame on you anonymous...shame.
about 1 year ago
I would appreciate a well written tribute to one of the 5 greatest baseball players of the last 25 years. Do you have any idea where I could find one?
Thanks
from about 1 year ago
I think you already have.
-You're welcome.
about 1 year ago
If I remember correctly, Greg Maddux was a legitimate strikeout pitcher in the later years of his first stint with the Cubs. He was by no means strictly a 'finesse pitcher', and he definitely hit the low 90s on a consistent basis. However, towards the mid-to-late 90s (his prime), he definitely topped out in the mid-to-upper 80s. While he sacrificed some speed, I would argue that Maddux took marked strides in increasing the movement on his fastball (and controlling that movement) during his maturation years. The fruits of his labor became apparent as Maddux evolved into a dominant, low pitch count machine- the likes of which we may never witness again.
from about 1 year ago
Word. He definitely threw faster with the Cubs, but was unquestionably better overall with the Braves.
about 1 year ago
isn't the reason maddux is great is beacuse it does not mater how hard he throws?
about 1 year ago
Great article, but it (and most comments) speaks of Maddux in the past tense. He's not
finished. Only 27 wins to 3rd place on the all-time list. May pass t-t-t-the r-r-r-rocket in
2008.
11 months ago
Gred Maddux is by far my favourite player of the generation of baseball I have watched. Even as he approaches retirement, he has competitive instincts which continue to propel him forward - one purposed and deceiving pitch at a time. Batters who have faced him over the course of his career continue to swing and ground balls destined straight for correctly positioned infield players, unable to lay off a pitch they have sworn to take numerous times before. Maddux is masterful.
9 months ago
Good read Zander. Maddux was one of the few pitchers I would go out of my way to watch, so that's saying something. What a control artist, and a smart pitcher who changes speeds and throws strikes. Makes it look easy though we all know it's not.
9 months ago
good points
only problem I have with him is his willingness to be removed after 6 innings
and his losing LCS and WS record
9 months ago
A control artist who ranks 20th all time in hit batsmen. Considering he's 119th in walks and 239th in wild pitches, you've got another, um, quality to consider.
I love stories about him setting up guys in May for a strikeout or a pop-up in August. He's truly one of kind.
8 months ago
Good point Tim,
Movement, however, is another facet of the game that seems to deteriorate with age. I tried to throw a curve the other day and about tore all the ligaments in my elbow! And though any pitcher who throws as many innings as Maddux must have superhuman wiring, it's bound to start wearing down, lessening the power, yes, but also the snap. That said, he could pull a Wakefield and start throwing the knuckler! Then he could pitch til he was seventy and the kids would see him for themselves.
2 months ago
Just found this in Nov 08. Don't know if anyone still reads it, but here are a few comments from a long time Maddux fan.
Control- yes. But movement and changing speeds also. That's the key. Maddux has always said if you can locate your fastball and change speeds with movement, you can be successful. I didn't start following him until 1995 and I recall him throwing in the high 80s, occasionally dusting the 90s (90,91 maybe.) In the early 2000s he topped out at about 88, then in the last few years his max is 85 or so. But his location is still excellent and he his movement hasn't dipped at all. It's still awesome. But with slower speed, he has less margin for error. Where at least reasonable speed may have covered up some bad pitches in the past, he couldn't get away with them at a few mph slower. That's the main reason why his era went up in his last years with the Braves and beyond. He said a couple of yrs ago that he actually has to pitch better now to achieve the same result as 10 or 15 years ago, because of his slimmer margin for error. So when he throws 6 or 7 1-run innings now, he has to hit the mark with more pitches than he did back in his prime.
Another thing- everyone around him has consistently cited him for having the keenest baseball mind they've seen. There's a story of how in a mid-1990s game he was leading by several runs and with no one on base, Maddux threw a pitch to Bagwell which he hit for a HR in July. But Maddux was anticipating a matchup in the playoffs and used that to his advantage to trip Bagwell up and strike him out when the situation was more critical in October. There's also a story about Brad Penney when they were teammates on the Dodgers in 2006 where Penney realized after only a few weeks, Maddux had a better understanding of Penney's stuff than he did. They agreed to have Maddux call all the pitches for Penney during a game. When Penney would look into the dugout before each pitch, Maddux would be looking at a different part of the stadium to give him the signals. Penney pitched 7 shutout innings that day and got the win.
It's easy to go on and on. IMO Maddux was one of the top 5 pitchers of all time. His peak of 92-98 stands up against anyone and his career #s are also extraordinary, particularly for this era. And no steroids to slow the aging process. And he is truly humble and a great teammate to boot. Definitely one to tell your kids about.
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