Background: Greg Maddux looks more like a professor than a pitcher. He isn’t physically imposing, and never was. That’s why he didn’t attract much attention in high school. All he has done is fashion a Hall of Fame career with the Cubs and Braves, defined by his status as baseball’s best pitcher of the 1990s. He returned to the Cubs and, after grinding through last season, has resurfaced as Chicago’s ace.
What’s up: Maddux’s genius lies in the details. He knows more about opposing hitters than they know about themselves. An opposing team executive told me this week that Maddux is the greatest adjuster of all time – from game to game, inning to inning, pitch to pitch. He is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA. Maddux responded to his most frustrating year by hiring a personal trainer, the man whose gym he helped clean in high school. What has changed? Maddux has regained accuracy of his fastball, which remarkably sits between 82 to 84 mph, and is throwing his curveball more frequently – around seven times a game compared to two or three before.
What’s next: At 40, Maddux shows no signs of tiring or boring. Well, that’s not entirely true. Nobody does boring like Maddux. Former teammate John Smoltz said he believes it might be Maddux’s greatest attribute. By maintaining the personality of a spotted grouper, Maddux has few demands on his time by reporters or ad executives. He credits his defense after every game as if he’s reading from a script. At the core, Maddux is extremely accountable. He doesn’t make excuses, comparing pitching to golf. His philosophy: It’s never the club, but the person swinging it.
Renck’s take: Dante Bichette referred to Maddux as the most comfortable 0-fer in baseball. He looks so hittable. The reality is facing Maddux is maddening. As Rockies infielder Jamey Carroll said, “It’s mentally draining.” Why? Unlike most pitchers, when Maddux throws outside you always fear it may come back across the plate. That means you can never give up on a pitch, which mandates hitters maintain supreme focus. Don’t think for a second Maddux doesn’t play off that intensity, getting easy outs.
