After 19 years in the big leagues and exactly 300 wins, Greg Maddux remains that rare athlete that neither seeks, nor attracts attention. The longtime Cubs/Braves ace became one of baseball�s all-time best pitchers without being intimidating (see Clemens, Pedro, Johnson), being opinionated to the media (see Curt Schilling), being a showoff (see current teammate Carlos Zambrano), or by wearing a lot of jewelry to the hill.
In fact I doubt Maddux owns jewelry, I�m guessing much of his discretional income over the years has come in the form of club sets and greens fees. I also don�t see him as the type who trips out in a six-figure vehicle either. Maddux has done everything modestly, he did quietly bow out of an All-Star game a couple of years back. With Pedro Martinez or Randy Johnson this would had been a major story, Maddux just indicated that he would rather see one of his other teammates make the trip. Besides, three days of golf in Vegas probably beats three days of the All-Star circus as far as Maddux is concerned.
Speaking of Vegas, Maddux has been the games ultimate poker player, you could never tell by his emotion on how he�s faring. Or as Maddux himself says, the moment he gloats over his success will be the minute he gets humbled in his next outing. Think Zambrano could learn from that???
Actually, I remember exactly one display of emotion from Mad-Dog. It came in May of 1998, when Maddux was in the middle of pitching an otherwise three-hit masterpiece on the Brewers in old Milwaukee County Stadium. In the third inning that night Maddux had the audacity to throw a pitch into the dirt. What Maddux yelled next could be heard halfway to Whistling Straits�
FFFFFFFFFFF � OOOOOOOOOOOOO � CCCCCCCCCCC � KKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So that was it, Maddux�s answer to Joe DiMaggio kicking the dirt short of second base after being robbed in the World Series. And there�s even more dirt, Maddux is also known to take one bite out of all 12 Krispy Kremes before putting the box back on the clubhouse table, not to mention the prank of using Ben Gay as a condiment on someone�s sandwich. I know, it�s not like Sparky Lyle jumping butt naked on birthday cakes back in the day but it�s something. Other than that the man is a perfectionist and the master of his craft.
Maddux�s 300th win gave him 11 on the season, only four away from earning 15 wins for a 17TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON. Think about that for a minute. Kerry Wood has never won 15 games in any season, Curt Shilling has only reached that mark six times, Roger Clemens has only reached in four of his previous 12 seasons.
For all that consistency, Maddux has only reached 20 wins twice, in the final season of his first stint with the Cubs in 1992 and then the following season with the Braves. What came next is arguably the two greatest single seasons in MLB history, going 16-6 with a 1.56 ERA/.90 WHIP in 1994, then posting a 19-2 slate with a 1.63 ERA and an amazing .81 ratio in �95. For much of that season Maddux had an amazing ten to one strikeouts to walks ratio. Maddux finished that year at 7.87, but struck out 177 while only walking 20 in 1997 � an 8.85 ratio which is believed to be a modern single-season record.
The only problem was that 1994-95 just happened to be the strike seasons when many fans were simply turned off about the game. Cal Ripken�s consecutive game streak was credited with restoring much of the interest among fans while Maddux�s amazing feats went somewhat under the radar. Post-season (and Maddux has obviously seen a lot of it with the Braves) has been a weakness, where Maddux checks in with a 11-14 career record (with one save), although his 3.22 playoff ERA is not far off his 2.94 regular season mark.
And finally there�s the durability, throw out the strike years and Maddux has made at least 33 starts every year since 1988. That streak, along with the 15+ win streak, rank right alongside Rafael Palmeiro�s 11 year 37+ home run streak on my short list of most amazing baseball feats in recent years.Bombs and steals, two of the most meaningful categories for fantasy players. For the next four weeks I�m going to take a look at the best sluggers and base stealers in both the American and National Leagues. This week I look at the AL home run hitters, team by team�
ANAHEIM � Troy Glaus appeared to be an early bet to lead the league in the power departments this year, hitting 11 HR/28 RBI in his first 29 games. Despite the Angels still being in the playoff race, Glaus is listed as doubtful to return this season. But Vladimir Guerrero (25 HR/87 RBI) ranks in the league�s top ten in both categories with Jose Guillen (22 HR/90 RBI) not far behind.
BALTIMORE � With 106 RBI already in the bank, Miguel Tejada has an outside chance at 150 RBI which would rank as one of the best offensive years by a shortstop ever. With the exception of stolen bases, Tejada is clearly outperforming Alex Rodriguez this year. Despite nearly missing a month due to injury, Melvin Mora has been solid in four categories (.346/83/21/71 in 91 games). Javy Lopez has 17 HR�s, but far off last years pace. And Rafael Palmeiro�s power has fallen drastically with only 14 HR, although he does have 63 RBI. Look for 2005 to be his swan song.
BOSTON � David Ortiz (.311/28/101) and Manny Ramirez (.316/28/85) provide one of baseball�s best 3-4 hitting combinations and are 1-2 in slugging percentage in the AL.
WHITE SOX � Paul Konerko has done more than return to 2002 levels, he is surpassing them � hitting .284 with 29 HR/78 RBI. Shortstop Jose Valentin is headed for a career high in home runs with 26 and has 63 RBI. But as usual it has come at the expense of a low average (.232).
CLEVELAND � Don�t look now, but the Tribe has pulled to within three games of the division league and lead all of baseball in runs scored. Travis Hafner has been one of baseball�s hottest hitters since July 1, with 13 HR/39 RBI during that span, good for over a .700 slugging percentage. Catcher Victor Martinez (19), third baseman Casey Blake (18) and outfielder Matt Lawton (18) are also poised to go over the 20 HR mark. Cleveland also took DH/1B Josh Phelps off Toronto�s hands over the weekend. Phelps already negliable fantasy value drops even more, but will provide even more power off the bench. And then there is Ben Broussard, who should win Player of the Weeks honors after belting two grand slams in four days. This team can flat out rake.
DETROIT � Carlos Guillen has joined the elite class of AL shortstops this year, and should finish well over 20 HR and 100 RBI. Catcher Ivan Rodriguez is only hitting .230 since July 1, but is still at .338/15/67 for the year.
KANSAS CITY � On the other hand, SS Angel Berroa did not join the elite shortstop class this year, in fact Berroa was sent down to AA ball this week. 1B Mike Sweeney BA is down some this year, but still has 21 HR/76 RBI. Matt Stairs has 15 HR on the year, marking his eighth consecutive year reaching that total.
MINNESOTA � Basically a well balanced attack hear as Jacque Jones (18), Corey Koskie (16), Torii Hunter (15) and Lew Ford (13) have a chance of going over the 20 HR plateau.
YANKEES � Despite Jason Giambi�s well chronicled health issues, there is still a ton of power to go around in the Bronx, including Alex Rodriguez (.282/29/71) and Gary Sheffield (.295/26/83). Hideki Matsui (23 HR/81 RBI) has gotten very comfortable and is hitting .333 since the break. Even Derek Jeter has gotten his average up to .281 on the year and had nine home runs during the month of June.
OAKLAND � Eric Chavez has been back exactly one month from injury and has 8 HR/18 RBI in that span. For the year Chavez has 21 HR/53 RBI � the power production per game yet. Eric Byrnes had a very hot July (8 HR/24 RBI/.647 SLG) and is up to 17 HR/57 RBI on the year. And then there is shortstop Bobby Crosby, who seem destined for a trip back to the minors during a slow April. Don�t look now, but he�s up to 15 HR/46 RBI.
SEATTLE � Obviously a lost year for the Mariners, 1B John Olerud was released and DH Edgar Martinez this week announced his retirement. But look for an infusion of new power next year. The Olerud departure opened the way for Bucky Jacobsen, who had 23 HR/79 RBI in 79 AAA games. In just 22 games in the bigs, Jacobsen has 7 HR/17 RBI and an impressive .620 slugging percentage. On the downside Bucky is defensively challenge and figures to see more playing time at DH rather than at first. Miguel Olivo (acquired in the Freddy Garcia trade) also has a chance to become one of the better power-hitting catchers, he has ten home runs in just 213 AB�s.
TAMPA BAY � After a slow start, Aubrey Huff has rebounded and is up to 21 HR/75 RBI for the year. There hasn�t been much else in the power department with veterans Tino Martinez (16 bombs) and Jose Cruz Jr. (15) picking up some of the slack. Rocco Baldelli (.281/10/51) has been a mild disappointment in his second year.
TEXAS � As Arlington officials try to woo the Dallas Cowboys into moving next door to Ameriquest Field, stadium opponents argue that new businesses haven�t sprouted as the area hoped since the Ballpark opened ten years ago. What has blossomed during that time however have been the Rangers offensive fortunes, as the team continues to take advantage of one of baseball�s more cozier venues. With 15 HR/36 RBI since July 1st, Mark Teixeira has proven the potential to become one of the game�s future elite first basemen. Meanwhile 3B Hank Blalock has found himself in the throes of a terrible slump (15- 102 since the All-Star Break) but still has 24 HR/78 RBI. 2B Alfonso Soriano�s production remains slightly off his Yankee years, but is also over the 20 HR/70 RBI mark. Even journeyman catcher Rod Barajas has found power with 13 HR/38 RBI in just 238 AB�s � although he is only hitting .244.
TORONTO � We save the worst for last, the Jays started off bad this year and things simply haven�t gotten better. Who would had thought Carlos Delgado would only be hitting .227, although he does have 17 HR/51 RBI in 286 AB�s. Vernon Wells has also seen time on the DL and only has 13 HR/38 RBI. This also hasn�t been a huge bounce back year for 3B Eric Hinske, who has driven in 51 runs but only has ten homers.