Big League Stew - MLB

Big League Stew

Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:40 pm EST

Greg Maddux set to hang up his spikes at winter meetings

By 'Duk

All great careers must come to an end, and for pitcher Greg Maddux, that end will come at baseball's winter meetings in his hometown of Las Vegas.

According to a release from his agent Scott Boras, Maddux will officially retire his resin bag with a Monday press conference and then start the countdown to his surefire Hall of Fame induction in 2014. 

A master manipulator in an era when batters got bigger and faster — often by artificial means — Maddux will retire with 355 wins and a 3.16 ERA in the 5,000 innings he spread across 23 seasons. He won four Cy Youngs, 18 Gold Gloves and was named an All-Star eight times. He'll most likely finish one career victory ahead of Rogers Clemens, which somehow seems very, very just.

While I'm sure some clown will find a reason to leave him off his ballot ("But did he ever pitch a no-hitter?"... "Did he ever throw 200 Ks in a season more than once?), its says here that the Hall of Fame would be hard pressed to find a better candidate than Mad Dog to become its first-ever unanimous first-ballot inductee. 

But whether or not he garners 100 percent is immaterial. He had a great career and it was certainly all our pleasure in being able to watch him. Please join the Stew in starting a slow-clap for Mr. Maddux and be sure to share your tributes in the comments below. 

digg delicious
more

88 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. zubee
    1. Posted by zubee Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It would have been nice for Maddux to retire as a member of the Atlanta Braves. He is a sure first ballot Hall of Famer for sure, No questions asked.
  2. The Thrilla in Vanilla
    2. Posted by The Thrilla in Vanilla Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    First ballot no-brainer. Joining in the Stew slow-clap...
    Clap.
  3. mikecambom
    3. Posted by mikecambom Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Great player, hall a fame lock. Now go be a commentator on ESPN baseball 2nite like everyone else who retires
  4. Sox Boy
    4. Posted by Sox Boy Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:08 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    If you were to make a list of the 10 best pitchers of the Steroid era, there is no doubt Maddux would be at the top of the list. Maybe not at #1, but he is at the top of the list. He was the most masterful pitcher of his time, and arguably of all time. I wish I was more interested in Baseball while he was in his prime, so I could have watched him at his best, but whenever I could watch him, I usually did, not really caring about the game, just wanting to watch the master at work. He should open up a pitching academy and pass his teachings on to other young pitchers. Greg, I know you say Clemens was a better pitcher than you, and maybe you're right, but 1 thing he never had was your pure brilliance on the mound. I think you were the better player and I look forward to seeing you in Cooperstown (Maybe with Tom Glavine and John Smoltz if they make the smart move and retire).
  5. bigboo's bro
    5. Posted by bigboo's bro Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    What a great player, competitor, and role model. Anyone who doesn't vote for him should be banned from ever voting again. I always wished the Yankees would find a way to get him. Instead, we got 'roidrocket.
  6. mhmock
    6. Posted by mhmock Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It'll be sad to see him go seeing as I feel he would still probably be the #2 or #3 starter on the Padres if he were to stay there. He pitched in the earliest game I can remember seeing at the old Murph as the Cubs starter in a 1-0 loss to Andy Benes and the Padres. Mad Dog, you will be missed.
  7. rightsaidfred
    7. Posted by rightsaidfred Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    My cap is off to Greg Maddux, the greatest pitcher of the modern era. I have thought all along that when Maddux passed Clemens in the wins column, his career would be complete. With 300 wins becoming more and more diffiult to achieve, Maddux will always be remembered as a pitcher who could will victory to happen with very little run support. Check the boxscores from the past few years. If Greg Maddux would have had the run support from the teams he played for, he would have won 400 games.
  8. William H
    8. Posted by William H Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:08 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    he always pitched with the same form. i taught my little leaguers to watch and learn from him. no doubt first ballot "hall of famer".. greg by the way i have room for you on my men's baseball team.
  9. Saro G
    9. Posted by Saro G Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    *Claps for six innings*
    *pulls self from room*
    I keed, I keed, he's a bonafide all time great.
  10. TK
    10. Posted by TK Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:54 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    He was probably the only pitcher that was able to throw any pitch at any speed at any location at any time. Maddux is my favorite baseball player of all-time and it would definitely be a disgrace if he doesn't get an unanimous vote imho. One of my favorite highlights of him pitching was seeing the catcher set up right on the outside corner (right-handed batter) and Maddux throws the ball away from the batter but at the very last second the ball cuts back inside and hits the catcher's mitt squarely in the middle without the catcher even moving an inch after the pitch was thrown to get the batter out on strikes. There won't ever be another pitcher like him.
  11. LL
    11. Posted by LL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Not only is he a first ballot for the hall of fame, but it should be unanimous. if he doesn't get 100% of the votes, then they should look again into who's voting and start replacing some names.
  12. Youth move
    12. Posted by Youth move Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I rarely post comment, but after hearing of this I just have to. I probably watched 100 of his games on TV over the years and he is the best......no debates.....watching Maddux Smoltz and Gavine pitching during their prime with the braves was incredible.
  13. markb
    13. Posted by markb Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I don't think you'll ever see an athlete talked about on a message board where 100% of the people have positive comments, except for Greg Maddux. He was a class act, not only my favorite baseball player, but my favorite athlete. I can't think of anything negative to say about the guy, just a truly great player, and the classiest player out there. There are a ton of players that would do well to try to emulate him.
  14. LL
    14. Posted by LL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Maddux says that Clemens is the better pitcher, but that is just Maddux being Maddux. Maddux has a career ERA of 3.16 in 5008 innings. Clemens is 3.12 in 4916 innings. Clemens is on the stuff for almost half his pitching careers. And Maddux still has one more win than Clemens. How much better would Maddux be compare to Clemens if he was on the stuff like Clemens?
    Hands down, the greatest pitcher of his era. Arguably, the most beautiful pitcher of all time to watch. I started watching baseball in 1993 because of him.
  15. Ken "The Kid"
    15. Posted by Ken "The Kid" Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I hope Greg is just retiring from being an active player, not from the game. Can you think of a better pitching coach for any team in either league? If i were a manager, I would be beating down his door.
  16. Dale R
    16. Posted by Dale R Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Maddux is the best at what he does. There should be a training tape made of him for youth ball players
    on up.When you needed that big game or to stop a losing streak he's the man. Welcome to the hall a fame.
    I watched the Cubs trade him to the Braves,another oversight by Cubs management.Best off speed and
    placement picher Ithink will see for along time.Best of luck Greg.
  17. daddymag
    17. Posted by daddymag Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Baseball is a game of minute skills, finely honed. Though attempts have been made to make the game more about bombastic moments of overkill, the truest pleasure in watching it, for me, has always been in observing those players who are completely in command of their skills. Guys like Carew, Oz.... and Maddux.
  18. soft,n,cuddly
    18. Posted by soft,n,cuddly Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    As much as i despised watching the fab three, { Smoltz,, Glavine, & Maddux } destroy the pirates, I am sad to see you go. You had class, style and plain mad skills and I enjoyed watching ya play. I am sad that my son wont get to ever see you pitch a game being that he is so young. I also liked when you started to beef up on your batting and got a few timely hits that changed the course of a game. Tough act to follow and I believe that you have a once in a generation skill that will not be matched for a few years to come. Good luck and best wishes.
  19. Tina R
    19. Posted by Tina R Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:10 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Roger clemens....who's he? Seriously, Maddux has this one in the bag. P.S. Oh, I remember now..isn't Clemens the one who likes to throw bats at people?
  20. Raymond G
    20. Posted by Raymond G Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This is the way to go out, Greg. Thanks for the Memories. Hall Of Fame..1st Ballot!
  21. jd
    21. Posted by jd Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    having grown up watching the braves be out of it at the all star break, i have a gratitude for mad dog and the rest of the fab pitchers of those braves teams. aside from the most knowledgeable and professional pitcher, he was/is sure an absolute crazy man. a kid at heart, a true competitor, first ballot practical joker and world-class cusser.
    thanks greg. now how many strokes will smoltz have to give you?
  22. Dodgers 2009
    22. Posted by Dodgers 2009 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Class act all the way around. Even though he only pitched for my Dodgers around playoff time, he was a great guy to have on the team. You always knew that if Mad Dog was pitching for or against you, it was going to be a great game. Good luck, Greg!
  23. Preston O
    23. Posted by Preston O Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Greg Maddux was an artist, put some paint on a baseball and give him a canvas to throw at and this guy will paint a very beautiful rendition of any classical painting you can think of. He was that precise with his pitches. I will miss watching Maddux pitch but I will always cherish the memories of watching him throughout my life. 1st Ballot hall of famer with out a doubt! Congrats Greg on a great career! Class act from the 1st inning to 5008th!
  24. MLBFan
    24. Posted by MLBFan Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Maddox will be a terrific baseball commentator after a long and distingsuished career. Good luck. www.majorleaguecreditcard.com .

Big League Stew

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

'Duk

Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
David Brown, Alex Remington, Steve Henson, Curtis Granderson, Jay Levin,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More MLB Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Big League Stew Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)