Starting at a young age
Maddux made his first appearance in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs at the age of 20. Looking more like a water pistol than a flamethrower, Maddux struggled at the beginning of his career. After compiling a record of 6-14 in his first full season of 1987, he rebounded to go 18-8 the following year. He lowered his earned run average (ERA) by two runs from the previous season, and pitched 9 complete games. He eclipsed the 200 IP (innings pitched) barrier for the first of many times, and cemented himself as a dominant pitcher in waiting.
Progression and Relocation
Over the next four seasons, his winning percentage was at .500 or better for all four years. In 1992, his final year with the Cubs, Maddux won his first of four consecutive Cy Young awards. This trophy is given to the best pitcher in his respective league, collecting all four of them in the NL. Maddux signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves before the 1993 season, and his career launched into full-blown stardom from that point on.
Maddux comprised one of the most fearsome starting pitching staffs in the league, with Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, and John Smoltz leading the Braves to the postseason every year. Maddux was the ace, however, and posted near historic ERA numbers in the 1994 and 1995 seasons. Only a handful of pitchers have collected sub-2.00 ERAs in the history of MLB, and Maddux was one of them. His 1.63 ERA in the full season of 1995 is legendary and a record of 19-2 earned him his final Cy Young award. One more thing: he is won the Golden Glove 18 times in 23 seasons. Not only did he throw the ball well, he defended his position better than everyone else too.
A Genius Overlooked
Maddux was never really a flashy pitcher. He did not hit the upper 90's like Randy Johnson, nor did he have the charisma of Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens. Maddux was always polite, honest, humble, and focused. He was always prepared to face every hitter, fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. Maddux used brain over brawn, proving that strength could be defeated with a little gumption and elbow grease. Maddux had ungodly movement on his pitches, could paint any area of the strike zone, and mixed and matched speeds to befuddle hitters for over two decades. He was still effective as he entered his forties and proved to be a valuable mentor and contributor to the teams he pitched for.
Above all else, Maddux cared most about pitching, and he was damn good at it. Next season, the league will seem much more different and empty without his presence, and hopefully his name will not fade into obscurity. Maddux was simply one of the best pitchers of this era and arguably all-time. He is a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer.
