Greg Maddux, the Puppet Master

[PTanner]

Wow. That's bad news for the rest of the world. He's ready for total domination now. And while he was already worthy of the type of splooge that could father five children in a single thrust, I'm beginning to think that New Z is going to make Old Z look like Victor Z.

Yeah.  He really looks outstanding so far.  The 27-to-5 K/BB ratio is the main stat to point to.  After five starts last year, he was at 22-to-19.

his numbers were like that in Spring Training too...I think 10K/0BB.

Fucking disgusting.

[butthead]

Wow. That's bad news for the rest of the world. He's ready for total domination now. And while he was already worthy of the type of splooge that could father five children in a single thrust, I'm beginning to think that New Z is going to make Old Z look like Victor Z.

Yeah.  He really looks outstanding so far.  The 27-to-5 K/BB ratio is the main stat to point to.  After five starts last year, he was at 22-to-19.

his numbers were like that in Spring Training too...I think 10K/0BB.

Fucking disgusting.

And he's drinking water now too.

[Lance Dicksons Arm]

Wow. That's bad news for the rest of the world. He's ready for total domination now. And while he was already worthy of the type of splooge that could father five children in a single thrust, I'm beginning to think that New Z is going to make Old Z look like Victor Z.

Yeah.  He really looks outstanding so far.  The 27-to-5 K/BB ratio is the main stat to point to.  After five starts last year, he was at 22-to-19.

his numbers were like that in Spring Training too...I think 10K/0BB.

Fucking disgusting.

Last night, I was impressed at the way he worked the corners.  I'm not sure I've ever seen his command quite so good...and there was no letup even when using his slidestep. 

The sequence in the 1st where Wright struck out looking was something.  First base open...but he throws two consecutive fastballs to outside corner spots that Wright figured he was better off taking and hoping for the umpires help.

Sauce.

[The Big Cheese]

According to Peter Gammons, Dempster used his 'exile to the bullpen' [insert hilarious picture of Dempster sitting on a bench and shivering in a Cubs parka] to study at the feet of Maddux [who never sat in the bullpen, but whatever].  Maddux taught Dempster the importance of never BBing anyone and executing every pitch.  Being a closer taught Dempster to focus on every pitch.  These lessons apparently only applied to starters, which is why Dempster pestered Lou for a year to start, in order implement Maddux's teachings.

Obviously, we have Maddux to thank for Dempster's strong start.

[PTanner]

Maddux isn't the best pitcher, but he's the RIGHT pitcher.

[Dave B]

According to Peter Gammons, Dempster used his 'exile to the bullpen' [insert hilarious picture of Dempster sitting on a bench and shivering in a Cubs parka] to study at the feet of Maddux [who never sat in the bullpen, but whatever].  Maddux taught Dempster the importance of never BBing anyone and executing every pitch.  Being a closer taught Dempster to focus on every pitch.  These lessons apparently only applied to starters, which is why Dempster pestered Lou for a year to start, in order implement Maddux's teachings.

Obviously, we have Maddux to thank for Dempster's strong start.

yes, but countering Gammon's nice story was Joe Morgan's re-hashing of his version of "Banks Boulevard" after E-Pat's HR into the basket.

[5laky]

According to Peter Gammons, Dempster used his 'exile to the bullpen' [insert hilarious picture of Dempster sitting on a bench and shivering in a Cubs parka] to study at the feet of Maddux [who never sat in the bullpen, but whatever].  Maddux taught Dempster the importance of never BBing anyone and executing every pitch.  Being a closer taught Dempster to focus on every pitch.  These lessons apparently only applied to starters, which is why Dempster pestered Lou for a year to start, in order implement Maddux's teachings.

Obviously, we have Maddux to thank for Dempster's strong start.

yes, but countering Gammon's nice story was Joe Morgan's re-hashing of his version of "Banks Boulevard" after E-Pat's HR into the basket.

Don't forget that Gammons added, at the end of his cheesy bullshit story, that the Cubs have a "100 year itch".

Oh yeah? Is that how long it's been? Great.

[thehawk]

Maddux isn't the best pitcher, but he's the RIGHT pitcher.

He's now an former pitcher http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-maddux6-2008dec06,0,1441610.story.

He'll be playing 18 in upstate NY in the summer of 2014.

[PenFoe]

Greg Maddux.

[TJ]

It's been 22 years since he made his Major League debut as pinch-running for Jody Davis in the 17th inning of an 18-inning loss to the Astros. Just for kicks, here are some of the guys who played in that game:

Davey Lopes
Charlie Kerfeld
Larry Andersen
Dave Smith
Matt Keough
Bob Knepper
Bill Doran
Danny Darwin
Phil Garner
Denny Walling
Dan Driessen
Kevin Bass
Jose Cruz (Sr.)
Alan Ashby
Dickie Thon
Craig Reynolds
Nolan Ryan
Auerlio Lopez
Terry Puhl
Billy Hatcher (who hit the first HR off of Maddux, the game-winner)
Dave Martinez
Lee Smith
Brian Dayett
Ryne Sandberg
Jerry Mumphrey
Bobby Dernier
Keith Moreland
Leon Durham
Chico Walker
Frank DiPino
Rick Sutcliffe
Scott Sanderson
Manny Trillo
Jody Davis
Chris Speier
Guy Hoffman
Gary Matthews (Sr.)
Shawon Dunston (in his second MLB season)
Jamie Moyer
Terry Francona
Thad Bosley
Steve Trout
Ron Cey

Yeah, there is one active player in that list.

His last appearance at Wrigley was 22 years and at least two or three eras later and punctuated by getting Chuck's favorite player to hit a weak pop-fly to end game 1.

That kind of longevity would have been even better had all 22 seasons been in a Cubs uniform.

[Simmer]

Easily my favorite starting pitcher of all-time.

[Internet Apex]

Fuck Maddux.

[De Jesus]

Fuck Maddux. Larry Himes

[flannj]

Fuck Maddux. Larry Himes

This.^

[CubFaninHydePark]

Easily my favorite starting pitcher of all-time.

You and me both.  I'm sure it won't be long until Smoltz and Glavine follow suit and the three of them are playing golf together on a course where the cups are 6 inches wider--or at least any putt that ends up within 6 inches of either edge counts...but just for them.