Cooperstown, 2014

[WARNING:  MASSIVE SPORTS TALK THAT MAY BE HARMFUL TO CERTAIN READERS' HEALTH]


I'm not too wrapped up in who's inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame, unless it's a Cub.  I was chagrined that the idiots who vote for the honor waited until Ron Santo, only the second best third baseman of his time behind Brooks Robinson and Robinson's better at the plate, had died to elect him posthumously.  I was elated when Fergie Jenkins went in because, as a young player, I tried to model myself after him.  Otherwise, with perhaps the exception of the Pete Rose controversy, I have but a casual interest in who's inducted.

This year is different.  The best pitcher I've ever seen who only happened to start out as a Cub was elected. Greg Maddux, one of the smartest, craftiest and likeable of all pitchers, was voted in with about the fourth largest vote total in history.  He's the second highest vote-getting pitcher behind only Tom Seaver.  Maddux wasn't a power pitcher, he was a pitcher's pitcher.  He could throw to virtually any location, he could field his position, he could hit.  He was the total package.

But for the ridiculously stupid Larry Himes, Maddux would have remained a Cub his entire career.  I had the fortune to see him pitch in his second tour of duty with the Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers on 28 April 2006, a 6-2 win for the Cubs.  Maddux pitched six innings, gave up a walk while striking out six and allowed two earned runs.  We were seated behind home plate directly in line with the third base line, and I distinctly remember him striking out Prince Fielder.

Maddux was savvy.  He knew how to hit the corners, nibbling here and there without giving away good pitches to the hitters.  He won an staggering eighteen Gold Gloves for fielding.  He was always unassuming, never boastful and very soft-spoken.  He was to pitching what Cal Ripken.

It was a joy to watch him pitch.  Baseball is often criticized by detractors for being a slow game.  Maddux never dithered.  He always pitched quickly, which makes his cerebral approach to the game that much more fascinating.  He was able to plot out a strategy and then execute it without having to stop and think about it.

There are some players I thought should have been elected. Craig Biggio, for one.  I can't believe that there are whispers that he used PED's.  Jeff Bagwell is also being rumored to have used PED's, which I find ludicrous.

I think Jack Morris should have gotten in.  He'll get in via the Veterans' Committee, or whatever it's called now.

Raffy Palmeiro?  That's a blogpost for another day.  I still think Bonds, Clemens, McGwire and Sosa shouldn't get in.  But Pete Rose should.

Finally, Maddux shares a distinction with Fergie Jenkins now:  Besides both being in the HOF, both played for the Cubs, both wore number 31, and they are the only two pitchers in the HOF with more than 3,000 career strikeouts and less than 1,000 career walks allowed.  Maddux stopped just in time:  He ended up with 999.

How's that for a coincidence, Karen?

(c) 2014 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles