Quote:
Originally Posted by the 'stache
If we were to open this topic up a bit at a later date to include modern pitchers, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez would be 1a and 1b at the top of my list. The more I look at Maddux's numbers, in particular, the more impressed I become.
4 Cy Young Awards
4 other top 5 Cy Young finishes
18 Gold Gloves
Since 1965, only Pedro Martinez' 291 ERA + beats the 271 ERA + Maddux put up in 1994, and the 260 ERA + Maddux put up in 2005.
The reason that Maddux blows my mind most of all is that, unlike Pedro, who had an overpowering fastball to go with his killer control, Maddux never had blazing heat. He achieved what he did with pinpoint accuracy and great ball movement, and made hitters look just foolish in the process.
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I totally agree with you: What separates Maddux from Pedro and visa versa is that extra weapon Pedro possessed.
The double-edge to that sword of velocity was that it took more out of Pedro and led to shorter starts, while Maddux would just adjust his approach ever so slightly and last longer.
Either way, I felt honored to get to watch their artistry - it was really something to behold!
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