Greg Maddux was a major league baseball pitcher who dominated the National League throughout the 1990s. Maddux was born in San Angelo, Texas on April 14, 1966, and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 1984 amateur draft. He made his Major League debut on September 3, 1986.
Style
Greg Maddux wasn't particularly intimidating on the mound. Not being a big man, and was lucky to break the 90 mph barrier on his best days. What he did have was immaculate control. Maddux was nicknamed "The Professor" by some for his thinking-man's approach to the game. His method was to have total command of the strike zone and outsmart hitters.
Awards
Maddux's skill and consistency on the mound translated into multiple awards and accolades over the course of his career. He was chosen to pitch for the National League in the All-Star game eight times. He also won an unprecedented 18 Gold Gloves for fielding excellence at his position. Perhaps his greatest personal achievement was winning the Cy Young award as the National League's most outstanding pitcher four times in a row -- the first pitcher ever to do so -- beginning in 1992 and through 1995. During that four-year stretch, he went 75 -- 29 with a 1.98 ERA.
Career Stats
Greg Maddux played in the major leagues for 20-plus seasons, for the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He was a 20-game winner twice, and his career record was 355 -- 227 with a 3.16 ERA. He threw 109 complete games over the course of his career. Maddux will be eligible for selection into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Best Season
Although he enjoyed many stellar baseball seasons by most people's standards, the 1995 season was one that was exceptional even for Maddux. That season, Greg Maddux had a 19 -- 2 record with a minuscule 1.63 ERA. He only issued 23 base on balls in over 209 innings pitched, and threw 10 complete games. The dream season was capped off by his Atlanta Braves defeating the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series.
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