The Berean
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Yesterday, Frank Thomas became the first "SEC product" ever elected to the Baseball HOF.
That surprised me. I would think the SEC would have produced a Hall of Fame major league years ago. :idunno:
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That surprised me. I would think the SEC would have produced a Hall of Fame major league years ago. :idunno:
It's still mind boggling to me how the Atlanta Braves only won one World Series in the 90's.
In addition to Maddux, they had Glavine and Smoltz, and all three were in their prime.
I can't think of any other team that ever had three pitchers of that caliber in their starting rotation for such a long time period that were that good.
The Berean
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I think because baseball has the minor leagues and college football was very popular as far back as the turn of the 20th century.
Also think about this. In football and basketball many, many college coaches go on to coach in the NFL and NBA and vice versa. This NEVER happens in baseball. I don't think there has ever been a college baseball head coach that went on to be a major league manager nor a major league manager who went on to be a college head baseball coach.
They had to go up against better competition. I am not saying Maddux was not good. He was. He was given way too much.
The Berean
Well-known member
Some back luck there. Chipper Jones said that only loss that really bugged him was the 1996 World Series. That 1995-96 Braves team was an elite squad. They destroyed the Yankees in Games 1 and 2. They were trying to become just the fourth NL team to win back-to-back World Series (1907-08 Cubs, 1921-22 Giants, 1975-76 Reds). If the Braves would have finished off the Yankees they'd be remembered with the all-time great National League teams.
The Braves were in almost every NLCS during the 90's
1991 Braves beat Pirates
1992 Braves beat Pirates
1993 Phillies beat Braves
1994 NO SEASON STRIKE
1995 Braves beat Reds
1996 Braves beat Cardinals
1997 Marlins beat Braves
1998 Padres beat Braves
1999 Braves beat Mets
Yet, they won only one World Series (they had to, because it was against Cleveland)
Yes, and both games were AT Yankee Stadium.
No one, and I mean no one, ever thought the Braves would lose 3 straight at Turner Field after the Braves had just destroyed the Yankees in New York.
But, it happened.
SaulToPaul 2
Well-known member
I was 2-2 with 4.07 ERA and a handful of saves in college.
I'd rather forget about college baseball.
But, I did bean a TON of batters. So that was fun.
SaulToPaul 2
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Pitching in high school was fun.
SaulToPaul 2
Well-known member
I can tell by looking that it was a sidearm curve on the way.
I was always envious of Maddux's fastball to left handed hitters, aimed at their front leg then it tailed over the inside corner.
They will always have Henry. And I look at it this way. They lost 8 straight against the Yankees, and were over matched.
The Berean
Well-known member
Well, I think you are overstating this part just a tad, buddy. I watched Maddux and Glavine a lot in the 1990's. They got some iffy calls but so do all great pitchers. But getting iffy calls doesn't turn a good pitcher into an all-time great. What made Maddux so great was his command and control. He rarely walked anybody and was incredibly stingy with not allowing home runs. Maddux's seven year run from 1992-98 was simply amazing.
1992-98
226 GS, 1875.1 IP, 127-53 W-L, 2.15 ERA, 190 ERA+, 1286 K, 269 BB, 1354 H, 66 HR
In seven years Maddux allowed just 66 home run or 1 home run every 27 innings. This was during the PED era with home runs at an all time high.
Here are some more highlights of Maddux's career:
-Maddux is one of just 13 pitchers to ever pitch over 5,000 career innings. Six of the 13 pitched in the Dead Ball Era.
-Maddux is 8th all-time in wins with 355 wins. Six of the seven ahead of Maddux pitched in the Dead Ball Era. In the Live Ball Era (since 1920) only Warren Spahn (363 wins) won more games.
-Maddux is #4 all time in games started. Think about that for a moment.
SaulToPaul 2
Well-known member
Think Mike Maddux will make it?
SaulToPaul 2
Well-known member
What's your first big league game?
Mine was August 4, 1980. LA Dodgers at Atlanta Braves. Jerry Reuss vs Phil Niekro.
Mine was August 4, 1980. LA Dodgers at Atlanta Braves. Jerry Reuss vs Phil Niekro.
The Berean
Well-known member
The Berean
Well-known member
I have faint memories of going to a Giants-Pirates game at Candlestick Park in 1975 or 1976.