2014 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees: Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine
By Aaron Somers
Mar 6, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Team USA pitching coach Greg Maddux leans against the dugout railing during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
355 career wins, good enough for 8th all time. 5008.1 IP, 13th all time. 20 consecutive seasons of 194.0 IP or more, including a five year stretch from 1991 through 1995 where he led the National League. 3,371 strikeouts, 10th all time. 18 Gold Glove Awards, including 13 straight from 1990 through 2002. Eight All Star Games. Four Cy Young Awards, in consecutive seasons spanning 1992 to 1995.
The Professor was one of the best. Ever.
Greg Maddux left a resounding impact everywhere he played, which speaks largely to the reasoning behind why his Hall of Fame plaque will feature a blank cap. He established himself and won his first Cy Young Award as a Chicago Cub and then left following the 1992 season, joining the Atlanta Braves as a free agent where he helped the team reach the postseason eleven consecutive years (taking out the strike shortened 1994 season, of course). He won three more Cy Young Awards his first three seasons with the Braves and ultimately helped the team to its lone World Series Championship in 1995.
Maddux finished out his career at the age of 42, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers for the stretch run after a midseason trade and pitching into the NLCS. He won the Gold Glove that year too.
Named on 555 out of 571 ballots – 97.19% – Maddux will take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.