MLB Time Warp

Something crazy is going on in ballparks everywhere... no it's not Vince Coleman throwing fireworks at fans or Brady Anderson launching 50 HRs or even Albert Belle feuding with reporters... it's Greg Maddux sitting atop the list of the best pitchers in the Major Leagues.

The 40+ righty, is dumbfounding batters... again. We all know that Maddux is a future Hall of Famer, a fierce competitor, an excellent fielder, a Cy Young winner but we also know he is... well... old (or at least in terms of baseball- chemically enhanced sluggers aside).

After 4 games, Maddux has 4 wins, and ERA under 1.00, a WHIP of 0.73, and a third of the Cubs wins. More than that, he has the respect and awe that he once had when he was considered one of baseball's elite. Despite an aging body and ho-hum fastball at 84 mph, he is confusing batters like he used to- throwing strikes, moving the ball and hitting his spots.

From 1988 to 2002, Maddux was one of the top pitchers, both statistically and competitively in the game. From 1992-98 he was dominating. In 1994 & '95 he was just freakin' unreal. In those 2 years he won 35 games, pitched 20 Complete Games & 6 Shutouts, struck out 337 batters (more than the amount of hits he gave up), and posted ERAs of 1.56 & 1.63... oh, and he helped the Braves win the World Series (yes! Atlanta actually won one).

It's still early, but his ERA & WHIP are better right now than they were then and he is carrying a banged up Cubs team on his back.


Also of note, former teammate, Tom Glavine, must have followed Maddux to the fountain of youth, because he is having a great year too. His numbers are among the best in the league:
2 Wins, 2.78 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 30 Ks (which is especially odd since Glavine has never been known as a strikeout pitcher).

Best wishes to 2 of Atlanta's former great-ones!