Have you ever wondered about the numbers behind one of baseball's true pitching artists? Greg Maddux, often called "The Professor," had a career that stands out. People still talk about his incredible control and smart approach to the game. His statistics tell a story of consistent excellence. It's a record that shows a pitcher who was always thinking, always one step ahead of the batter. We are going to explore the remarkable career numbers of this Hall of Famer. You might be surprised by just how good he was.
Maddux played for many years. He showed a level of skill that few others could match. His ability to hit his spots, pitch to contact, and manage a game was something special. This made him a favorite to watch for fans and a nightmare for hitters. So, you know, when we talk about pitching greats, his name always comes up.
His playing days spanned decades, truly a long time to stay at the top. He won many awards. He also set some marks that are still talked about today. This article will break down his key achievements and career totals. We will see what made his record so impressive, more or less, and why it matters even now.
Table of Contents
- Maddux: A Brief Biography
- Personal Details and Bio Data
- Career Wins and Losses
- Earned Run Average: A Mark of Excellence
- Strikeouts and Walks: Control Is Key
- The Cy Young Awards: A Historic Run
- Gold Gloves: A Defensive Master
- Playoff Performances
- Hall of Fame Induction
- Frequently Asked Questions
Maddux: A Brief Biography
Gregory Alan Maddux came into the world on April 19, 1966. He grew up in a household where baseball was a big part of life. His father taught him much about the game. He learned early on the importance of pitching smart. This was a skill that would define his entire career, you know.
He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1984. He made his big league debut in 1986. That was the start of something truly special. He played for the Cubs for several years. He then moved to the Atlanta Braves. This is where he became a legend, in a way, really.
His time with the Braves was something else. He was part of a pitching staff that was simply amazing. He pitched alongside other greats. They formed one of the best rotations in baseball history. He also had stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres later in his career. He wrapped things up back with the Dodgers, then the Padres again, and finally, the Dodgers once more before hanging up his cleats.
Personal Details and Bio Data
Full Name | Gregory Alan Maddux |
Born | April 19, 1966 |
Birthplace | San Angelo, Texas, USA |
Position | Pitcher |
Bats/Throws | Right/Right |
MLB Debut | September 3, 1986 |
Last MLB Game | September 27, 2008 |
Hall of Fame Induction | 2014 |
Career Wins and Losses
When people ask "What was Greg Maddux's record?", they often think about his wins. He piled up a lot of them. He finished his career with 355 wins. This number places him among the very best pitchers in baseball history. It is a mark that shows incredible longevity and skill. He is one of only 10 pitchers to reach that win total, actually.
His loss total was 227. This gives him a win-loss record that is quite impressive. A pitcher's win-loss record does not tell the whole story, but it does show how often his team won when he was on the mound. Maddux was a pitcher you could count on. He gave his team a chance to win nearly every time he pitched, you know.
Many of his wins came during a time when pitching deeper into games was common. He consistently pitched complete games or went deep into starts. This helped him rack up those victories. So, in some respects, his win total is a testament to his durability and effectiveness over many years.
Earned Run Average: A Mark of Excellence
Greg Maddux's earned run average, or ERA, was a thing of beauty. He finished his career with a 3.16 ERA. This number shows how few earned runs he allowed per nine innings pitched. For a pitcher who played for over two decades, that is a remarkably low figure, pretty much.
During his prime years, his ERA was even lower. He had four straight seasons with an ERA under 1.80. This is almost unheard of in modern baseball. It showed his amazing ability to limit runs. He kept hitters off balance, and they rarely got good swings against him, you know.
His control and ability to induce weak contact were key to this low ERA. He did not need to strike out everyone. He trusted his defense. He made batters hit the ball where his fielders could make plays. This approach saved his arm and kept his pitch count down, which is that, you know, very important.
Strikeouts and Walks: Control Is Key
Maddux was not a flamethrower. He did not throw the ball with extreme speed. Instead, his control was his superpower. He ended his career with 3,371 strikeouts. This is a very high number, putting him among the all-time leaders. It shows he could get hitters out when he needed to, even without overpowering stuff.
What truly sets his record apart, however, is his walk total. He issued only 999 walks in his entire career. That is an incredible ratio of strikeouts to walks. He rarely gave free passes to first base. This meant he almost never put himself in a tough spot with runners on base, you know, for free.
This control allowed him to work quickly. It also allowed him to save pitches. He would often finish games in under 100 pitches. This was a hallmark of his style. He would just pound the strike zone. He would make hitters put the ball in play, in a way, often not where they wanted it to go.
The Cy Young Awards: A Historic Run
Greg Maddux won the National League Cy Young Award four times. He won them in a row, from 1992 to 1995. This is a feat that very few pitchers have ever accomplished. It shows his dominance during that period. He was the best pitcher in his league for four straight years, that is a fact.
During these award-winning seasons, his numbers were simply astounding. His ERA was incredibly low. His win totals were high. He was almost unhittable at times. This run cemented his place as one of the game's true aces. He was the standard for pitching excellence, you know, for a long stretch.
Winning this award requires consistent brilliance. To do it four times in a row means he was on a different level. It is a record that speaks volumes about his skill. It also speaks about his mental toughness. He was able to maintain such a high level of play year after year, more or less.
Gold Gloves: A Defensive Master
When you ask "What was Greg Maddux's record?", you also need to look at his defense. He was not just a great pitcher. He was also an amazing fielder. He won 18 Gold Glove Awards during his career. This is the most by any player in baseball history. It is a record that might never be broken, actually.
He was known for his quick reflexes off the mound. He would field bunts. He would snag line drives. He would start double plays. His fielding was a huge part of his game. He saved many runs with his glove. He also helped his defense out, you know, by being so good at it.
His defensive prowess was part of his overall strategy. He knew he could pitch to contact because he trusted his glove. He was always ready to make a play. This made him a complete player. He was a pitcher who contributed in every way possible, in a way, on the field.
Playoff Performances
Maddux pitched in many playoff games. He was a key part of the Atlanta Braves teams that went to the World Series often in the 1990s. He won a World Series title with the Braves in 1995. That was a big moment for him and the team, you know.
His playoff record was not always as dominant as his regular season numbers. But he still had many strong outings. He faced the best teams in the league under pressure. He showed up and gave his team a chance to win. He was a big game pitcher, basically, when it counted most.
He had a career postseason ERA of 3.27. This is a good number, especially considering the level of competition. He pitched in 35 postseason games. He started 30 of them. This shows his importance to his teams in the biggest moments. He was a leader on the mound, you know, for sure.
Hall of Fame Induction
Greg Maddux was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. He was elected on his first ballot. This shows how respected he was by the voters. He received 97.2% of the votes. This is one of the highest percentages ever, truly a remarkable achievement.
His induction was a celebration of his incredible career. It recognized his consistent excellence. It also recognized his unique pitching style. He was a master of his craft. He made pitching look easy, even though it is incredibly hard. He was a true artist on the mound, you know, in every sense.
His legacy lives on. Young pitchers still study his approach. Coaches talk about his control and intelligence. He set a standard for how to pitch smart. His Hall of Fame plaque tells the story of a pitcher who was simply one of a kind. You can learn more about his Hall of Fame induction on MLB.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Series did Greg Maddux win?
Greg Maddux won one World Series title. This happened in 1995. He was pitching for the Atlanta Braves at the time. They defeated the Cleveland Indians in that series. It was a big moment for the Braves organization, you know, a truly memorable victory.
What was Greg Maddux's best season?
Many people would point to his 1995 season as his best. He had an incredible 1.63 ERA that year. He also went 19-2. He won his fourth straight Cy Young Award. He also helped the Braves win the World Series. It was a season where he was nearly perfect, in a way, really.
How many Gold Gloves did Greg Maddux win?
Greg Maddux won an astounding 18 Gold Glove Awards. This is a record for any player in baseball history. It shows his exceptional fielding skills. He was known for his quick reactions. He was also known for his ability to make plays off the mound. He was a complete player, you know, on the field.
Learn more about baseball history on our site. You can also link to this page for more pitching insights.
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