[whmatthews]

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/arti ... p&c_id=atl

Maddux to announce retirement Monday
Four-time Cy Young ending career ranked eighth with 355 wins

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

His best pitch was a well-located fastball. He didn't try to overpower hitters, just confuse them. And batters everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief.

Four-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux is retiring. The slender right-hander, who lives in Las Vegas during the offseason, was expected to make it official Monday during a news conference at 11:30 a.m. PT at the Bellagio, where the Winter Meetings are being held.

Then, he'll probably go play 18 holes.

Maddux, who turns 43 in April, ranks eighth on the career wins list with 355, one more than Roger Clemens. News outlets confirmed Maddux's announcement through his agent's office. In November, agent Scott Boras told reporters that Maddux was "doubtful" for 2009, adding, "As it stands now, he is not going to play."

[Hold My Own]

Greatest defensive pitcher of all time

[Rocketfan]

Greatest defensive pitcher of all time

With like 18 gold gloves thanks BJ for stating the obvious.

[Hold My Own]

Greatest defensive pitcher of all time

With like 18 gold gloves thanks BJ for stating the obvious.

Yeah yeah yeah...there's been tons of very good defensive pitchers...just none within the last 20 years to take his gold gloves away

[Fumblerooskies]

With apologies to Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson, who both pitched predominately in the dead ball era...one could make the argument that Maddux is the best RH pitcher of all time.

[Sly Fox]

It is impossible to compare those eras. But it'd be tough to find a pitcher who got more out of less than Maddux.

I wonder if he'll ever have to testify before Congress.

[adam42381]

Here's a discussion on where Maddux ranks all-time (these guys are serious about their baseball history).

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=85307

[Hold My Own]

I can give him best control pitcher of all time...he was by far the best to never throw over 85 on a reg basis

[TDDance234]

Rumor is he's quite the golfer...let's hope he can't talk Smoltz in to being his golf buddy this year. The Braves need him somewhere, rather it's in the rotation or the bullpen (granted they resign him).

[kel varson]

I can give him best control pitcher of all time...he was by far the best to never throw over 85 on a reg basis

I'm sure you were exaggerating, but in case you weren't, Maddux threw harder than 85, particularly during the 90's--and on a regular basis. I realize we are splitting hairs here but 3-5 mph can make a pretty big difference.


Also, the article above describes him as "slender." I wouldn't go that far. I'd say he's more of an average build. Tim Kurkjian describes him as very average looking and not very muscular. Hardly what you expect from one of the games all time great pitchers.