The New Year has arrived. It seems like only yesterday we were getting used to saying "two thousand" and now the decade is nearly done.
We will have to get used to a few new things in 2009. First and foremost is saying "President Obama". Yes, I promise I am going to try and say it and get used to it! Getting used to the name of a new President takes some work and we really have not had to do it since 1993. When Inauguration Day 2001 came around, we already had past experience with the phrase "President Bush", so it was not that new.
There will be a "new" Yankee Stadium adorned with a quarter of a billion dollars in new players. From what I read about ticket prices however, it will take a small inheritance to buy a seat.
Hear are a few things I would like to see and hear in 2009:
Politicians talking to us like adults about the financial situation that government at all levels finds itself in. Please acknowledge that all of the services that people seem to want are costly and that government may not be able to provide all of them (the debate as to whether government even should is for another post).
An admission that not everybody can afford a half a million dollar home on a five figure paycheck even with low interest rates and adjustable mortgages. Home ownership is a noble goal and ambition, but not everyone gets 3500 square feet and a four car garage.
Speaking of cars, can we finally admit that the American auto industry is simply not producing cars that people want to buy and no bailout is going to change that? Although it does not seem like there is much left of free market capitalism, you still need some demand before you produce the supply.
As to demand, can we finally admit that just because you want it does not mean you need it and debt financing it is not wise. Sure a plasma TV is pretty cool, but putting it on the credit card at 18% interest has devastating long term financial consequences. People need to be told that.
Can we acknowledge that people who share opposing viewpoints are not necessarily bad people? If you oppose gay marriage you are not necessarily a homophobe. If you oppose the congressional black caucus' legislative agenda, you are not necessarily a racist. If you oppose massive government spending on so called anti-poverty programs, you do not necessarily hate the poor or favor only the rich. Our politics has broken down in large part because of the demonization of the opposing side which results in an inability to have a rational discussion.
Can we finally agree that the whole Britney Spears thing has just gotten old? Album, public meltdown, comeback, meltdown.
I would like to see a year go by without Brad and Angelina adopting or having a child.
I don't want to see Al Franken in the U.S. Senate. His political views are part of it, but watch some old Saturday Night Live shows (especially the skits after midnight) and ask yourself if anyone affiliated with that belongs in the Senate. I am all for a funny Senator, but I don't think he makes the grade.
I do want to see more of Illinois Governor Rod Blagoyovich. Please, keep making appointments, fighting indictments, holding press conferences and generally reminding us how comical and broken politics can be, but that impeccable hair and good lawyers can keep you in office.
Finally, speaking of Illinois, in 2009 I want to see the Chicago Cubs be within an out of winning the Word Series when a pop foul is hit towards the box seats and as the Cub player settles under it Governor Blagoyovich reaches out from his box seat and interferes, causing the ball to drop, neatly tying together the two themes of this blog and you can figure out how the rest goes.
Happy New Year.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
So long '08
2008 ends in a few hours.
What a year it has been. I have tried to reflect upon the events in both politics and baseball, but it is impossible to hit everything. I defy anyone to say they had both Barack Obama and the Tampa Rays marked for success in their office pool a year ago.
The names fly by: Barack, Palin, Hillary (and, of course, Bill), Guiliani, Huckebee, Biden, Manny, C.C., Texeria, Madonna (o.k. I will leave her to other blogs, but she is connected to baseball now).
There have been so many laughs and so many outrageous events. Many things changed, yet so many remained the same. The Middle East seems to be on the verge of all out war. Here at home a man walks into a house on Christmas Eve, dressed as Santa no less, and guns down nine people. Popular culture celebrates gratuitous violence and sociopathic behavior. The economy went into a tailspin. Not much to be happy about.
Then there are the things that continue to amaze. First and foremost in my mind is the transition of power we are about to witness. A President will give way to a President of a very different stripe and not a shot will be fired. The American transition of power is unlike any in the world and, even when it is not the one I voted for, always gives me goosebumps when I witness it. We should never underestimate the beauty in the way we do things.
There is the resiliency of the American people. Yes, times are tough, but nobody is panicking. There is a sense that we will get through it. We will.
Baseball will provide more memorable moments. Yes they are paid too much and ticket prices are getting too high, but a backup middle infielder will win a game with a home run and we will remember why we love it.
So while 2008 certainly leaves us with a lot to make us want to curl up in a corner and hide, we won't because we know we will miss something special in 2009.
What a year it has been. I have tried to reflect upon the events in both politics and baseball, but it is impossible to hit everything. I defy anyone to say they had both Barack Obama and the Tampa Rays marked for success in their office pool a year ago.
The names fly by: Barack, Palin, Hillary (and, of course, Bill), Guiliani, Huckebee, Biden, Manny, C.C., Texeria, Madonna (o.k. I will leave her to other blogs, but she is connected to baseball now).
There have been so many laughs and so many outrageous events. Many things changed, yet so many remained the same. The Middle East seems to be on the verge of all out war. Here at home a man walks into a house on Christmas Eve, dressed as Santa no less, and guns down nine people. Popular culture celebrates gratuitous violence and sociopathic behavior. The economy went into a tailspin. Not much to be happy about.
Then there are the things that continue to amaze. First and foremost in my mind is the transition of power we are about to witness. A President will give way to a President of a very different stripe and not a shot will be fired. The American transition of power is unlike any in the world and, even when it is not the one I voted for, always gives me goosebumps when I witness it. We should never underestimate the beauty in the way we do things.
There is the resiliency of the American people. Yes, times are tough, but nobody is panicking. There is a sense that we will get through it. We will.
Baseball will provide more memorable moments. Yes they are paid too much and ticket prices are getting too high, but a backup middle infielder will win a game with a home run and we will remember why we love it.
So while 2008 certainly leaves us with a lot to make us want to curl up in a corner and hide, we won't because we know we will miss something special in 2009.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Yankees
Yesterday Mark Texeria agreed to a $180 million dollar, 8 year contract with the Yankees. Putting him in the same clubhouse with Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia, not to mention A.J. Burnett, now means that the guy who guards the clubhouse and protects the players wallets during games has the most dangerous job in the world.
The Yankees were not known to be in the running until about two days ago. Why did they sign Texeria? First, because they can. Second, to make sure Boston did not.
A 28 year old switch hitting, Gold Glove first baseman is something any team can use, so the deal makes sense from a baseball standpoint. The Yankees let Jason Giambi leave, so they needed a first baseman. Texeria and A-Rod make that a truly scary middle part of the order.
While it seems as though this deal continues baseball down the path of the rich getting richer, that does not necessarily mean New Yorkers should make World Series plans. The Yankees had the highest payroll in 2007 and finished third in the East. The team that won their division had a payroll roughly equal to the Yankees bullpen.
Baseball remains a sport where there are truly few individual difference makers. Yes, two nights a week the Yankees will have better pitching with Sabathia and Burnett, but what about the other three nights? Also, I am fairly certain those two will not win every time out. In the case of Burnett it is not even certain he will take the mound for all of his scheduled starts.
Texeria will go oh for four some nights. A-Rod will fail to hit in some games, even some that do not take place in October.
Baseball games are often won by the unexpected: the backup infielder who singles in a run in the 9th, the spot starter who tosses a shutout. Over the course of a season, success depends more on what you do not expect to happen than what you do. Did anyone think the young Tampa Bay Rays would suddenly grow up in 2007? In March did anyone expect Manny to be in a Dodger uniform by August? Did anybody expect the Cubs to collapse at the end...o.k. we all expected that.
Over the course of a 162 game season, it is the unexpected that makes the difference.
Will the Yankees three, four and five starters win enough games to put them in contention? Will Mariano Rivera avoid the aging process for another year? Will someone besides Texeria get a key hit to win a ballgame? That is what will determine the Yankees' success in 2009. Believe it or not, they are still going to play the games.
So, it is easy to assume that the Yankees will win the East but the expectations and the reality may be very different.
The Yankees were not known to be in the running until about two days ago. Why did they sign Texeria? First, because they can. Second, to make sure Boston did not.
A 28 year old switch hitting, Gold Glove first baseman is something any team can use, so the deal makes sense from a baseball standpoint. The Yankees let Jason Giambi leave, so they needed a first baseman. Texeria and A-Rod make that a truly scary middle part of the order.
While it seems as though this deal continues baseball down the path of the rich getting richer, that does not necessarily mean New Yorkers should make World Series plans. The Yankees had the highest payroll in 2007 and finished third in the East. The team that won their division had a payroll roughly equal to the Yankees bullpen.
Baseball remains a sport where there are truly few individual difference makers. Yes, two nights a week the Yankees will have better pitching with Sabathia and Burnett, but what about the other three nights? Also, I am fairly certain those two will not win every time out. In the case of Burnett it is not even certain he will take the mound for all of his scheduled starts.
Texeria will go oh for four some nights. A-Rod will fail to hit in some games, even some that do not take place in October.
Baseball games are often won by the unexpected: the backup infielder who singles in a run in the 9th, the spot starter who tosses a shutout. Over the course of a season, success depends more on what you do not expect to happen than what you do. Did anyone think the young Tampa Bay Rays would suddenly grow up in 2007? In March did anyone expect Manny to be in a Dodger uniform by August? Did anybody expect the Cubs to collapse at the end...o.k. we all expected that.
Over the course of a 162 game season, it is the unexpected that makes the difference.
Will the Yankees three, four and five starters win enough games to put them in contention? Will Mariano Rivera avoid the aging process for another year? Will someone besides Texeria get a key hit to win a ballgame? That is what will determine the Yankees' success in 2009. Believe it or not, they are still going to play the games.
So, it is easy to assume that the Yankees will win the East but the expectations and the reality may be very different.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Culture of corruption
In 2006 and 2008, the Democrats ran effective campaigns against the "Republican culture of corruption". Now we have the Blago scandal in Illinois, and not a Republican in sight. Republicans are now talking about the Democrats' culture of corruption.
The reality is that the entire political system has become a culture of corruption. Corruption is not limited to Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives. So called conservatives certainly loved their earmarks. So called liberals, espousing their empathy for the common man, certainly did not mind living in high style.
The system has become one of insiders. House and Senate members are regularly re-elected. We hear of so called "safe seats" that the parties do not even bother to contest.
What is more interesting is what happens when an incumbent decides not to run, dies or is forced from office: we see an array of insiders lining up for the seat. In many instances, especially in cases of death or term limits (which I think are one in the same in the minds of some politicians) we get spouses, sons and or daughters as the candidate. Some of these are fine people, and some have actually built a legislative records, but what was really their qualification other than a family name?
If there are no family members, we get the musical chair playing office holders. This has become especially prevalent here in California due to term limits. The view used to be: City Hall to Sacramento to Washington. Now, we have former legislators coming back to run for County Boards, City Council and other former "lesser" offices. Heaven forbid they actually go out and work in private industry.
If the former officeholders don't want the job, then staff members will step up and run. Again, these are people, on both sides of the aisle, who have grown up in government and never worked outside of it. One of my biggest objections to the election of Barack Obama was the fact that I did not see any work in anything other than government. I get worried about people whose entire focus from the moment they got out of school was getting elected.
The pool of applicants for these jobs are shrinking and that is to our detriment. Most people do not have the inside connections to mount a campaign for office. Yes, we have party primaries, but the cigar smoke filled rooms still exist for picking candidates. If you are not a part of the party apparatus, good luck.
Public service is noble, but I do not believe the Founding Fathers intended it to be a permanent career. It may not be the time to pick on Ted Kennedy, but 46 years in the U.S. Senate? The man has really never held any other job in his adult life. How can he possibly have any perspective on the challenges faced by a small business owner? How does he gain any understanding of the concerns of people over crime in the streets? Does he really live under the laws he imposes? Does he gain any understanding of their effect? He, and many like him on both sides of the aisle have lived in a bubble and we are the worse for it.
We are in a time that calls for leadership and innovation. We need new ideas and perspectives. You won't get that with the same people. That is the change we need.
The reality is that the entire political system has become a culture of corruption. Corruption is not limited to Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives. So called conservatives certainly loved their earmarks. So called liberals, espousing their empathy for the common man, certainly did not mind living in high style.
The system has become one of insiders. House and Senate members are regularly re-elected. We hear of so called "safe seats" that the parties do not even bother to contest.
What is more interesting is what happens when an incumbent decides not to run, dies or is forced from office: we see an array of insiders lining up for the seat. In many instances, especially in cases of death or term limits (which I think are one in the same in the minds of some politicians) we get spouses, sons and or daughters as the candidate. Some of these are fine people, and some have actually built a legislative records, but what was really their qualification other than a family name?
If there are no family members, we get the musical chair playing office holders. This has become especially prevalent here in California due to term limits. The view used to be: City Hall to Sacramento to Washington. Now, we have former legislators coming back to run for County Boards, City Council and other former "lesser" offices. Heaven forbid they actually go out and work in private industry.
If the former officeholders don't want the job, then staff members will step up and run. Again, these are people, on both sides of the aisle, who have grown up in government and never worked outside of it. One of my biggest objections to the election of Barack Obama was the fact that I did not see any work in anything other than government. I get worried about people whose entire focus from the moment they got out of school was getting elected.
The pool of applicants for these jobs are shrinking and that is to our detriment. Most people do not have the inside connections to mount a campaign for office. Yes, we have party primaries, but the cigar smoke filled rooms still exist for picking candidates. If you are not a part of the party apparatus, good luck.
Public service is noble, but I do not believe the Founding Fathers intended it to be a permanent career. It may not be the time to pick on Ted Kennedy, but 46 years in the U.S. Senate? The man has really never held any other job in his adult life. How can he possibly have any perspective on the challenges faced by a small business owner? How does he gain any understanding of the concerns of people over crime in the streets? Does he really live under the laws he imposes? Does he gain any understanding of their effect? He, and many like him on both sides of the aisle have lived in a bubble and we are the worse for it.
We are in a time that calls for leadership and innovation. We need new ideas and perspectives. You won't get that with the same people. That is the change we need.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys, but a pitcher, that's just fine
In my next life I am going to be a pitcher. I am not asking that I be returned to Earth as a superstar. I don't need to be Nolan Ryan I will settle for Gil Meche.
Who is Gil Meche? Well, he lives in Kansas City and makes $11 million a year. In 2008 he won 14 games, his career average is 12. $11 million a year.
I don't mean to pick on Gil Meche. He is a solid major league starting pitcher. My pitching career ended at age 9 when I gave up a three run homer to the 13th batter in the order, so Gil Meche clearly can do things that I cannot. But, $11 million a year?
This year however, baseball blew the doors off of pitchers' contracts. C.C. Sabathia signs in New York for over $160 million. To keep him company in the high rent district, the Yankees added A.J. Burnett to the tune of $80 million. That is almost a quarter of a billion on the first 2/5 of the rotation. And I thought Congress threw money around!
There are other reasons to be a pitcher. Jamie Moyer just re-signed with the Phillies for two years. O.K. that is not a long commitment, except that Moyer is 46! He has a contract to pitch in the major leagues past the age of 48. He is his own Social Security benefit.
If you are left handed and have gotten a major league batter out in the past 20 years, you will have no trouble finding work. The situational lefthanders (that means they come in to get one batter out, then head for the showers) pull down $3-5 million a year and keep doing it well into their 40s. I think, but I am not certain, that Jesse Orosco finally retired.
People often ask what Babe Ruth would be worth as a player: could he hit as many homers facing modern day pitching? I say the premise of the question is completely off base. Ruth came into baseball as a left-handed pitcher and he was a good one. Today, Babe Ruth would never have been moved off the mound. He would have had a long career as a left handed starter, followed by five or six years out of the bullpen. He would have made hundreds of millions of dollars. If he stayed in the modern American league he never would have swung the bat.
In my next life, give me the ball and let me take the mound.
Who is Gil Meche? Well, he lives in Kansas City and makes $11 million a year. In 2008 he won 14 games, his career average is 12. $11 million a year.
I don't mean to pick on Gil Meche. He is a solid major league starting pitcher. My pitching career ended at age 9 when I gave up a three run homer to the 13th batter in the order, so Gil Meche clearly can do things that I cannot. But, $11 million a year?
This year however, baseball blew the doors off of pitchers' contracts. C.C. Sabathia signs in New York for over $160 million. To keep him company in the high rent district, the Yankees added A.J. Burnett to the tune of $80 million. That is almost a quarter of a billion on the first 2/5 of the rotation. And I thought Congress threw money around!
There are other reasons to be a pitcher. Jamie Moyer just re-signed with the Phillies for two years. O.K. that is not a long commitment, except that Moyer is 46! He has a contract to pitch in the major leagues past the age of 48. He is his own Social Security benefit.
If you are left handed and have gotten a major league batter out in the past 20 years, you will have no trouble finding work. The situational lefthanders (that means they come in to get one batter out, then head for the showers) pull down $3-5 million a year and keep doing it well into their 40s. I think, but I am not certain, that Jesse Orosco finally retired.
People often ask what Babe Ruth would be worth as a player: could he hit as many homers facing modern day pitching? I say the premise of the question is completely off base. Ruth came into baseball as a left-handed pitcher and he was a good one. Today, Babe Ruth would never have been moved off the mound. He would have had a long career as a left handed starter, followed by five or six years out of the bullpen. He would have made hundreds of millions of dollars. If he stayed in the modern American league he never would have swung the bat.
In my next life, give me the ball and let me take the mound.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
So you want to be a Senator?
The U.S. Senate has been in the news and not for good reasons. The presidential election and subsequent Obama cabinet appointments have set off struggles to replace Senators in two major states: Illinois and New York. It is no secret that both of these states have previously produced Presidents and that U.S. Senators like to think of themselves as Presidents in waiting. Thus, either of these seats is a real plum.
First, Illinois: I had to take a break from typing to laugh whenever I think about this. The good Governor of Illinois, according to the feds, allegedly was not satisfied with merely finding a suitable replacement for Barack Obama. No, he felt he had a valuable commodity (and let's face it, with the stock market the way it has been, a Senate seat may be a good investment). Allegedly, according to the feds, the gratitude of the President of the United States wasn't going to cut it (would a couple of nights in the Lincoln bedroom have sealed the deal?). The charges further allege that the the Governor was more interested in a new job for himself or his wife.
(Because I have tried to talk about both baseball and politics on this blog, I am always delighted when there is an overlap and, according to the feds, the Governor threatened to stymie the sale of Wrigley Field unless the Tribune Company fired some unfriendly editors and writers. Thank you Governor for tying together the posts on this blog.)
There are allegations of negotiations with at least one potential candidate. The Governor also, allegedly, is heard using language we wouldn't permit in the Illinois schools.
The best part is, he remains in office with the power to appoint the next Senator. By the time you read this he might have done it. I have to think however, that the job would be a little less of a plum. On the other hand, the price has probably gone down.
In New York it is dynasty vs. dynasty. Rumor has it that Caroline Kennedy is interested in the seat. On the other side is Andrew Cuomo, son of the former Governor and a former Clinton Cabinet member. Although I am sure Caroline Kennedy is an intelligent lady and would be dedicated to serving the public, the rational for appointing her seems to be some little known Constitutional requirement that the U.S. Senate always have a Kennedy. Cuomo might have technically fulfilled that requirement, but his divorce from Robert Kennedy's daughter trimmed him off of the family tree. Apparently the Kennedy-Cuomo divorce decree did not specify which side of the family had the rights to any open U.S. Senate seats.
And of course, making the selection is the Governor of New York who took office when the former Governor resigned due to a scandal. My head is starting to hurt...
With great humility therefore, I offer both Governors my recommendations for the U.S. Senate.
For Illinois: Oprah. She is from the state, good on television and known to the public. She has helped the auto industry ("you get a car! you get a car!) and I would love hearing her scream on the Senate floor: "You get a bailout, you get a bailout...".
For New York: Alex Rodriguez. Let's face it, Madonna on the Washington cocktail party circuit would be a kick. Also, Senate business might keep him occupied in October so no more playoff meltdowns. He certainly knows how to handle big money.
Oprah and A-Rod in the U.S. Senate. That's a seat worth paying for.
First, Illinois: I had to take a break from typing to laugh whenever I think about this. The good Governor of Illinois, according to the feds, allegedly was not satisfied with merely finding a suitable replacement for Barack Obama. No, he felt he had a valuable commodity (and let's face it, with the stock market the way it has been, a Senate seat may be a good investment). Allegedly, according to the feds, the gratitude of the President of the United States wasn't going to cut it (would a couple of nights in the Lincoln bedroom have sealed the deal?). The charges further allege that the the Governor was more interested in a new job for himself or his wife.
(Because I have tried to talk about both baseball and politics on this blog, I am always delighted when there is an overlap and, according to the feds, the Governor threatened to stymie the sale of Wrigley Field unless the Tribune Company fired some unfriendly editors and writers. Thank you Governor for tying together the posts on this blog.)
There are allegations of negotiations with at least one potential candidate. The Governor also, allegedly, is heard using language we wouldn't permit in the Illinois schools.
The best part is, he remains in office with the power to appoint the next Senator. By the time you read this he might have done it. I have to think however, that the job would be a little less of a plum. On the other hand, the price has probably gone down.
In New York it is dynasty vs. dynasty. Rumor has it that Caroline Kennedy is interested in the seat. On the other side is Andrew Cuomo, son of the former Governor and a former Clinton Cabinet member. Although I am sure Caroline Kennedy is an intelligent lady and would be dedicated to serving the public, the rational for appointing her seems to be some little known Constitutional requirement that the U.S. Senate always have a Kennedy. Cuomo might have technically fulfilled that requirement, but his divorce from Robert Kennedy's daughter trimmed him off of the family tree. Apparently the Kennedy-Cuomo divorce decree did not specify which side of the family had the rights to any open U.S. Senate seats.
And of course, making the selection is the Governor of New York who took office when the former Governor resigned due to a scandal. My head is starting to hurt...
With great humility therefore, I offer both Governors my recommendations for the U.S. Senate.
For Illinois: Oprah. She is from the state, good on television and known to the public. She has helped the auto industry ("you get a car! you get a car!) and I would love hearing her scream on the Senate floor: "You get a bailout, you get a bailout...".
For New York: Alex Rodriguez. Let's face it, Madonna on the Washington cocktail party circuit would be a kick. Also, Senate business might keep him occupied in October so no more playoff meltdowns. He certainly knows how to handle big money.
Oprah and A-Rod in the U.S. Senate. That's a seat worth paying for.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Why couldn't I pitch like that?
Greg Maddux is set to retire on Monday. Given his last two years it is probably a good idea. While still effective at times, he is no longer the consistent 15-20 game winner of his prime.
Maddux should retire as an inspiration to all of us wanna bees and never weres. He looks like an accountant or a vice principal. His fastball rarely exceeds 85 mph. He doesn't have any colorful characteristics or mannerisms on the mound. He looks like someone they grabbed in the ticket line and handed the ball to.
But he was so much more. 355 wins. Say that again: 355 wins. To get there you have to average 15 wins for 23 years. He did that. He won 4 Cy Young Awards. That the Hall of Fame will call as soon as he is eligible is not in doubt.
No scandals. No angry former trainers talking to the tabloids. Maddux bounced around amongst a few teams (Dodgers, Padres and Cubs) at the end of his career because teams not only wanted him to keep pitching, but also wanted his presence in the clubhouse. He was a mentor and teacher for younger pitchers.
How did he do it? I am not sure. When he joined the Dodgers I tried to figure out how this guy throwing 82 m.p.h. could make hitters look so feeble. He just had the ability to throw the ball exactly where he wanted it and where it either could not be hit, or could not be hit hard. He induced tons of ground balls. He did not put people on base with walks. He simply stymied the opponents' offense. Watching Greg Maddux on his game was like watching a great painter at work (actually I have never watched a great painter at work, so it was just great to watch Greg Maddux at work).
All too often money causes the great ones to hang on too long. Remember the great Steve Carlton pitching middle relief for the White Sox or Willie Mays with the Mets? Well, Maddux was 8-13 this year and his E.R.A. has been creeping up, so now is a good time. Still, with the state of pitching today, Maddux easily could have secured another 5-6 million dollars to pitch in 2009. I am glad he recognized it was time, I did not want to see him mopping up for the Rangers, Nationals or Royals.
Maybe when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame he will tell us how he did it. Until then, we will just have to appreciate how a guy that looked like all of us pitched so much better than all of them.
Maddux should retire as an inspiration to all of us wanna bees and never weres. He looks like an accountant or a vice principal. His fastball rarely exceeds 85 mph. He doesn't have any colorful characteristics or mannerisms on the mound. He looks like someone they grabbed in the ticket line and handed the ball to.
But he was so much more. 355 wins. Say that again: 355 wins. To get there you have to average 15 wins for 23 years. He did that. He won 4 Cy Young Awards. That the Hall of Fame will call as soon as he is eligible is not in doubt.
No scandals. No angry former trainers talking to the tabloids. Maddux bounced around amongst a few teams (Dodgers, Padres and Cubs) at the end of his career because teams not only wanted him to keep pitching, but also wanted his presence in the clubhouse. He was a mentor and teacher for younger pitchers.
How did he do it? I am not sure. When he joined the Dodgers I tried to figure out how this guy throwing 82 m.p.h. could make hitters look so feeble. He just had the ability to throw the ball exactly where he wanted it and where it either could not be hit, or could not be hit hard. He induced tons of ground balls. He did not put people on base with walks. He simply stymied the opponents' offense. Watching Greg Maddux on his game was like watching a great painter at work (actually I have never watched a great painter at work, so it was just great to watch Greg Maddux at work).
All too often money causes the great ones to hang on too long. Remember the great Steve Carlton pitching middle relief for the White Sox or Willie Mays with the Mets? Well, Maddux was 8-13 this year and his E.R.A. has been creeping up, so now is a good time. Still, with the state of pitching today, Maddux easily could have secured another 5-6 million dollars to pitch in 2009. I am glad he recognized it was time, I did not want to see him mopping up for the Rangers, Nationals or Royals.
Maybe when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame he will tell us how he did it. Until then, we will just have to appreciate how a guy that looked like all of us pitched so much better than all of them.
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