If this is it for Maddux, then WOW

Let the debate begin. Scott Boras has told reporters that his client, former Brave pitcher, Greg Maddux intends to retire from Major League Baseball. Maddux, most recently of the Los Angeles Dodgers, would retire with 355 career regular-season victories and a 3.16 ERA over 23 seasons. He was 11-14 in postseason play, including 30 starts for the Braves, Cubs and Dodgers. Maddux won four straight Cy Young awards, including three with the Braves. His lone World Series title came with the Braves in 1995.
Now the question becomes, will he wear a Braves hat on his Hall of Fame plaque? He would be eligible for the Hall in 2014.

Now that Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux have both hung up their gloves, the debate over best righthander of the generation can begin as well. Yes, Clemens had a power game that seemed to get better with age (and juice), but it was Maddux that had Sports Illustrated once asking if Cy Young could have won the Greg Maddux Award.

When Maddux signed with the Atlanta Braves following the 1992 season that saw him win 20 games and the Cy Young award, folks around baseball groaned, “the rich just got richer.” Indeed, the Braves rotation just bumped Tom Glavine and John Smoltz down a notch for the great Maddux, but Maddux would go on to make those two even better. The bulldog that Maddux was got every team’s ace and allowed Glavine and Smoltz to feast on other team’s No.2 and 3. Maddux also won 18 gold gloves, and his ability to field his position set an example for his fellow fielders.

In Game One of the 1995 World Series, Maddux had two outs and a runner on base in the first when he uncorked a pitch that seemed harmless. It was a tad outside and the batter watched it go for ball one, but you could tell Maddux wanted that pitch bad. In fact you could hear through your TV that Maddux was unhappy with the pitch. He brought an attitude that perfection was what he offered and was what he demanded from his teammates.

Maddux finished his career with 355 wins and a career 3.16 ERA. Over his 23 seasons he recorded 109 complete games and 35 shut outs and was an eight-time all-star. Greg never threw 99 mph, but his 17 straight seasons of 15+ wins show that you don’t need overpowering heat to win. You just have to know the game and know how to pitch to be successful. The wildest thing about Maddux though might have been his appearance. Randy Johnson stood 6’10 and Roger Clemens looked like a Tight End on the mound. Maddux looked a bit like a nerd, even wearing glasses on his off-days. But bottom line: Maddux knew how to pitch and knew how to win.