Why Was Maddux Removed Today?

[soccer10k]

I didn't get a chance to watch the game today so I'm wondering why Maddux was removed in the eighth? He had 7 1/3 IP and only threw 73 pitches so he couldn't have been tired.

[Soul]

Len said something to the effect that he thought Maddux signaled he was done. I don't know if that's really what happened though.

 

At any rate, he had given up a run and had 2 baserunners. Despite the pitch count, it did look like he was beginning to struggle a bit. Middle relief came in and got the job done. Then Dempster, who let's be honest probably doesn't quite remember what it means to close a game anymore, gave up the gaffer.

 

This is how losing teams keep losing.

[soccer10k]

Len said something to the effect that he thought Maddux signaled he was done. I don't know if that's really what happened though.

 

At any rate, he had given up a run and had 2 baserunners. Despite the pitch count, it did look like he was beginning to struggle a bit. Middle relief came in and got the job done. Then Dempster, who let's be honest probably doesn't quite remember what it means to close a game anymore, gave up the gaffer.

 

This is how losing teams keep losing.

 

Just curious, what do you mean by this?

[Drew Doughty]

Len said something to the effect that he thought Maddux signaled he was done. I don't know if that's really what happened though.

 

At any rate, he had given up a run and had 2 baserunners. Despite the pitch count, it did look like he was beginning to struggle a bit. Middle relief came in and got the job done. Then Dempster, who let's be honest probably doesn't quite remember what it means to close a game anymore, gave up the gaffer.

 

This is how losing teams keep losing.

 

Just curious, what do you mean by this?

 

I think he means that it's been so long that Dempster had forgotten.

[soccer10k]

Len said something to the effect that he thought Maddux signaled he was done. I don't know if that's really what happened though.

 

At any rate, he had given up a run and had 2 baserunners. Despite the pitch count, it did look like he was beginning to struggle a bit. Middle relief came in and got the job done. Then Dempster, who let's be honest probably doesn't quite remember what it means to close a game anymore, gave up the gaffer.

 

This is how losing teams keep losing.

 

Just curious, what do you mean by this?

 

I think he means that it's been so long that Dempster had forgotten.

 

Sorry, that was my bad. I got it now. I thought he might have meant that Dempster forgot what it was like to blow a game when he meant that Dempster hasn't had a save opportunity in a while because the Cubs sucked. Misunderstanding on my part.

[sunnydoo]

What i find funny is how everyone is usually screaming for Dusty's head for leaving a pitcher in too long.

 

He takes one out after only 73 pitches, and he still cant catch a break.

 

So he is damned if he does, and damned if he doesnt.

[SouthSideRyan]

It's pretty widely believed that Maddux decides when he's done.

[minnesotacubsfan]

What i find funny is how everyone is usually screaming for Dusty's head for leaving a pitcher in too long.

 

He takes one out after only 73 pitches, and he still cant catch a break.

 

So he is damned if he does, and damned if he doesnt.

 

dusty is just damned, and so are we as cub fans for having him as our manager

[Banedon]

Bakers said in his postgame interview that Maddux didn't want to go through the batting order a 4th time.

[soccer10k]

What i find funny is how everyone is usually screaming for Dusty's head for leaving a pitcher in too long.

 

He takes one out after only 73 pitches, and he still cant catch a break.

 

So he is damned if he does, and damned if he doesnt.

 

That's just bad luck in this case. If one of your middle relievers blows the game then you can question why he brought that reliever in. But if a closer blows the game, that's all on the closer. Like somebody else said (not sure if it was in this thread or another one) this is what happens to a team that's on a losing streak.

[soccer10k]

It's pretty widely believed that Maddux decides when he's done.

 

Bakers said in his postgame interview that Maddux didn't want to go through the batting order a 4th time.

 

Both of these make complete sense. Maddux is one of the few pitchers in the league that I would trust to say that he's okay to stay in the game and actually be telling the truth.

[neely crenshaw]

with the way things have gone this year..i certainly feel pretty good having dempster in at the end with a lead.

for all the crap dusty pulls, i have to say that if he goes to dempster in that situation every single time, it's probably the right move and i like our chances

[Careless]

What i find funny is how everyone is usually screaming for Dusty's head for leaving a pitcher in too long.

 

He takes one out after only 73 pitches, and he still cant catch a break.

 

So he is damned if he does, and damned if he doesnt.

Yes, Dusty will be bashed if he makes the wrong move, whether it's pulling a pitcher early or late. Not that I'd suggest doing that in this case, if Maddux wanted out.

Still, the fact that Dusty was bad with pulling pitchers late in no way makes him immune to criticism for pulling them early

[TB_11]

Bakers said in his postgame interview that Maddux didn't want to go through the batting order a 4th time.

 

A sign that Maddux trusts the bullpen.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Quick, someone call Maddux a pansy or not mentally tough for not having the guts to go through the order again.

[RynoRules]

Quick, someone call Maddux a pansy or not mentally tough for not having the guts to go through the order again.

 

Why would someone do that? And why are you baiting them to do so?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Quick, someone call Maddux a pansy or not mentally tough for not having the guts to go through the order again.

 

Why would someone do that? And why are you baiting them to do so?

 

It seems that for the flak that our other pitchers get for their perceived inadequacies(Z's mental toughness, Wood's stubborness, Prior's pansiness), no one gets upset with Maddux when he decides not to go through the order a 4th time, or that he waited until this year to hire a trainer to get in shape, etc.

 

I wasn't seriously asking someone to do that.

[RynoRules]

Quick, someone call Maddux a pansy or not mentally tough for not having the guts to go through the order again.

 

Why would someone do that? And why are you baiting them to do so?

 

It seems that for the flak that our other pitchers get for their perceived inadequacies(Z's mental toughness, Wood's stubborness, Prior's pansiness), no one gets upset with Maddux when he decides not to go through the order a 4th time, or that he waited until this year to hire a trainer to get in shape, etc.

 

I wasn't seriously asking someone to do that.

 

I dunno. I have seen lots of folks ripping Greg for only bringing it in his contract year and referring to his current deal as an albatross.

[srbin84]

Quick, someone call Maddux a pansy or not mentally tough for not having the guts to go through the order again.

 

Why would someone do that? And why are you baiting them to do so?

 

It seems that for the flak that our other pitchers get for their perceived inadequacies(Z's mental toughness, Wood's stubborness, Prior's pansiness), no one gets upset with Maddux when he decides not to go through the order a 4th time, or that he waited until this year to hire a trainer to get in shape, etc.

 

I wasn't seriously asking someone to do that.

 

I think people just want Z to get the best out of his talent and avoid suspensions so he can help the team. I've never heard of Wood's stubborness. And Prior doesn't play baseball, so anybody should be able to say whatever they want about that.