Greg Maddux

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gregory Alan Maddux was born on April 14, 1966, in San Angelo, Texas, and spent much of his childhood in Madrid, Spain, where the United States Air Force stationed his father. His father exposed him to baseball at an early age. Upon his return to Las Vegas, Nevada, Maddux and his brother Mike, who also became a pro player, trained under the supervision of Ralph Meder, a former scout from the majors. Meder preached the value of movement and location above velocity, and advised throwing softer when in a jam instead of harder. Maddux would later say, "I believed it. I don't know why. I just did." Though Meder died before Maddux graduated from Valley High School in Las Vegas in 1984, he instilled a firm foundation that would anchor Maddux's future career. At Valley High, he was teammates on the school's baseball team with future Major League pitcher Steve Chitren and helped lead the school to a state championship as a junior in 1983. While in Las Vegas, he played American Legion Baseball with Post 8. He was named the organization's Graduate of the Year in 1984. His brother, Mike, was drafted in 1982. When scouts went to observe the elder Maddux, their father, Dave, told them, "You will be back later for the little one." Some baseball scouts were unimpressed by Maddux's skinny build, but Chicago Cubs scout Doug Mapson saw past the physique. Mapson wrote a glowing review that read in part, "I really believe this boy would be the number one player in the country if only he looked a bit more physical."

In Their Own Story

In Game One of the 1995 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Maddux delivered a masterclass in efficiency. Pitching to Orel Hershiser, he threw nine innings allowing just two hits, no walks, and no earned runs. Although he took the loss in Game Five, his performance helped secure Atlanta's first World Series title two days later. Earlier that season, on May 28 against the Astros, Maddux had nearly thrown a perfect game until Jeff Bagwell hit an eighth-inning home run to end it; it remained the only nine-inning one-hitter of his career. His mental approach was equally distinct. After Will Clark read Maddux's lips regarding a "Fastball, high, inside" during the 1989 NLCS, Maddux adopted the habit of covering his mouth with his glove during mound conversations to prevent opponents from deciphering his strategy.

Reader's Guide

The Chicago Cubs selected Maddux in the second round of the 1984 Major League Baseball draft and he chose to sign in lieu of honoring a commitment to play college baseball at the University of Arizona. He made his major league debut on September 3, 1986. His first appearance in a major league game was as a pinch runner in the 17th inning against the Houston Astros. Maddux then pitched in the 18th inning, allowing a home run to Billy Hatcher and taking the loss. His first start, five days later, was a complete game win. In his fifth and final start of 1986, Maddux defeated his older brother, who was pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, marking the first time rookie brothers had pitched against each other. In 1987, his first full season, Maddux struggled significantly. He rebounded to make his first All-Star appearance in 1988, winning eighteen games, and then established himself as the Cubs' ace in 1989, winning 19 games. After consecutive 15-win seasons in 1990 and 1991, Maddux won 20 games in 1992, tied for the NL lead, and was voted his first National League Cy Young Award. After seven seasons in Chicago, Maddux signed a five-year, $28 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. Maddux made his debut with the Braves on April 5, 1993, as their opening day starter against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, beating his former teammates 1–0. He finished the regular season with a 20–10 record, led the NL with a 2.36 ERA, and won his second straight Cy Young Award. During the strike-shortened 1994 season, Maddux posted an ERA of 1.56, the lowest in the majors since Dwight Gooden's 1.53 in 1985. Maddux also led the National League in wins (with 16) and innings pitched (202) in his third Cy Young-winning year. In the 1995 season, Maddux was 19–2 and he posted an ERA of 1.63. Maddux became the first pitcher to post back-to-back ERAs under 1.80 since Walter Johnson in 1918 (1.27) and 1919 (1.49).

Did You Know?

• Maddux is the only pitcher in MLB history to win at least 15 games for 17 straight seasons.
• He holds the record for most Gold Gloves by any player with 18.
• Maddux holds the record for most putouts by a pitcher with 546.
• In 2012, writer Jason Lukehart coined the term 'Maddux' to describe when a pitcher throws a complete game shutout in fewer than 100 pitches; Maddux holds the record for most times accomplishing this feat (13) since pitch