3000K Maddux

People would be disappointed if I didn’t use this slice of history to wax lyrical about Greg Maddux.

Not only has he recorded his 3000th K but of the thirteen only one other player has recorded 3000K with less than 1000 walks and Ferguson Jenkins only just classifies by 3 (997) whereas Maddux has done it comfortably with 106 to play with. Adding that to his 313 wins, a .634 winning percentage and 17 consecutive years of 15+ wins and you have a pretty decent resumé for being one of the true all time greats and possibly the best of a generation (not that he‘d bring attention to any of this).

The most remarkable thing about Maddux is that he has notched up 3000 K’s having never been a hard thrower and having never been someone who has games where he strikes out a tonne (he has 191 fewer ten strikeout games than Nolan Ryan which is a lot). The real key to him getting to this plateau is the same thing that has gotten him all those wins; consistency. Like day follows night you know what Greg Maddux will give you and while that might not mean the same thing now as it did in his untouchable days in the 90’s he still finds a way to do the job.

I could go on forever about why I consider him the best pitcher I’ve had the opportunity to watch and as good as anyone in the live ball era. In these days of ‘scout by radar gun’ and the ever growing number of pitchers who simply go up there looking to blow their fastball by hitters its just great to see a guy with just a high 80’s fastball carve hitters up without relying on stuff but relying on intelligence and guile. Greg Maddux makes baseball about skill and craft rather than muscle and testosterone.