Greg Maddux

[1wizard]

I am listening to the Cubs game on the radio, and Ronny Santo said that Maddux does not get the same strike zone that he used to in Atlanta. Does anyone believe this?

 

I think Albert Pujols and Brad Ausmus might have a different opinion.

 

I also think it is interesting to watch the Sunday ESPN's game of the week. The strike zone for those games are a little bit smaller. Prior had several pitches that looked like strikes that were not called.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think it is true on most instances. However that phenomena is nothing new. It began while Greg was still a Brave around the time the league started using Questec. I also think the same thing happened with Glavine. There were also a number of other pitchers who lived along the corners that seemed to lose that benefit of the doubt on the corners.

[1wizard]

I think it is true on most instances. However that phenomena is nothing new. It began while Greg was still a Brave around the time the league started using Questec. I also think the same thing happened with Glavine. There were also a number of other pitchers who lived along the corners that seemed to lose that benefit of the doubt on the corners.

 

I have been a big Greg Maddux fan for a long time, and I will be the first to admit that he gets the benefit that most super stars get. There is different treatment for different players (see Michael Jordan). I really do not think it has changed much for Greg just because of the change of teams. The thing that I really like about Maddux's pitching style is that he rarely gives in to a hitter. It has always surprised me how many balls (non strikes) he throws in the course of a game. He just nibbles and does it so well that hitters end up hitting his pitches.

[SouthSideRyan]

Or maybe he's just older? Questec started in '01 I believe.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I think the Hall of Fame guys that are pitching now (Maddux, and to a lesser degree, Clemens, Johnson, etc.) do get the benefit of the doubt a little more, but that is because they have proven for years that they can hit that spot on the outside corner consistently. If Greg Maddux hits a spot that's an inch or two off the corner of the plate, it's not because he missed, it's because that's where he wanted the ball to go. I'm still not sure if I agree with expanding their strike zones though. It should be uniform throughout the league in my opinion. But as long as Maddux is wearing a Cubs uniform, I won't complain. :wink:

[1wizard]

Will Greg get 5 more wins this year?

 

I hope he does. He has looked great the last two appearances. In fact, he has been the most reliable pitcher on the staff.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Yeah, I hope he does too. He's put together a very good string of games lately, but I believe hasn't had the run support to earn him the W. I'd like to see him get 15 wins again, but it's not going to be easy.

[Wild_Cubs04]

Will Greg get 5 more wins this year?

 

I hope he does. He has looked great the last two appearances. In fact, he has been the most reliable pitcher on the staff.

 

Agree with you 100% 1wiz, he is typically a second half pitcher so hopefully he keeps this up.

 

/cheers to hoping for the last 5 wins(or more :wink: ) to keep his streak alive.

 

Go Cubs

[jjgman21]

I agree with Santo 100%. in fact, I think Maddux suffers some backlash. there are times when he's actually hitting the corner and not getting the call. many times this year the game slipped away from the Cubs because the ump would not raise the right arm to call strike three and end an inning. I believe many who saw those games would agree, that it wasn't always Maddux strikes he was missing out on, many times they were regular old American made strikes. in fact, going back to the last homestand of last year, Maddux faced some crappy rookie pitcher from the Reds who shut us down by getting the Maddux strike, while Maddux was not.

 

while of course there is no way of knowing, I bet if Maddux were off the record, he would attest to a completely different strikezone since changing uniforms.

[UMFan83]

^^ Well at times its hard to give Maddux the benefit of the doubt that he 'placed' the ball on the outside corner on purpose when 2 batters earlier he 'placed' a ball high in the zone that was hit onto Waveland.

 

BTW, why is this in Rivalries?

[wolf stansson]

I was wondering that too. I think it's because a Cardinals fan started it.

[jyoung55]

A Cubs fan who remembers watching the 98 playoffs would say there was NO QUESTION that Maddux doesn't get the same zone now as he did then. I vividly remember Sammy getting called out on strikes a couple of times and the replay showing the ball off the outside corner by 6-7 inches.

[UMFan83]

I was wondering that too. I think it's because a Cardinals fan started it.

 

Heh, you guys know you aren't banned from the regular forums? :)

[1wizard]

I was wondering that too. I think it's because a Cardinals fan started it

.

 

 

That is correct. I thought it would be controversial and maybe miscontrued so I put it here. Looking back, I would not have done so.

 

I agree with Santo 100%. in fact, I think Maddux suffers some backlash. there are times when he's actually hitting the corner and not getting the call. many times this year the game slipped away from the Cubs because the ump would not raise the right arm to call strike three and end an inning. I believe many who saw those games would agree, that it wasn't always Maddux strikes he was missing out on, many times they were regular old American made strikes. in fact, going back to the last homestand of last year, Maddux faced some crappy rookie pitcher from the Reds who shut us down by getting the Maddux strike, while Maddux was not.

 

There is no doubt that Maddux benefits from his reputation. Strike two on Albert was about 4 inches in and set him up for the next pitch out and away. Ausmus also recieved a pitch that was out of the zone.

 

I have umpired and officiated sports before, and it is difficult not to give the benefit of the doubt (boarderline pitches, etc) to those players that are more talented and/or have good attitudes. I think the umpires have curved the excessive strike zone, but he still gets more calls off the plate than most pitchers.

 

I enjoy watching Maddux pitch, because he just knows how to pitch. Yet, my dad (one of you, little bear fans) always argues that if you can hit a spot consistantly than you deserve that call. If that is the case, Ankiel would be undefeated because he could hit the back stop with great accuracy. :lol:

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

 

There is no doubt that Maddux benefits from his reputation. Strike two on Albert was about 4 inches in and set him up for the next pitch out and away. Ausmus also recieved a pitch that was out of the zone.

 

I have umpired and officiated sports before, and it is difficult not to give the benefit of the doubt (boarderline pitches, etc) to those players that are more talented and/or have good attitudes. I think the umpires have curved the excessive strike zone, but he still gets more calls off the plate than most pitchers.

 

I enjoy watching Maddux pitch, because he just knows how to pitch. Yet, my dad (one of you, little bear fans) always argues that if you can hit a spot consistantly than you deserve that call. If that is the case, Ankiel would be undefeated because he could hit the back stop with great accuracy. :lol:

 

Yeah, no one could hit that backstop quite like Ankiel could. That was amazing. He must've worked on that for years to get that good. :P

[1wizard]

Yeah, no one could hit that backstop quite like Ankiel could. That was amazing. He must've worked on that for years to get that good.

 

The Cards were robbed of that game because the umpire and hitter did not adjust to the strike zone. (according to the theory of consistantly hitting a location)

[wolf stansson]

If that is the case, Ankiel would be undefeated because he could hit the back stop with great accuracy. :lol:

 

Yeah, no one could hit that backstop quite like Ankiel could. That was amazing. He must've worked on that for years to get that good. :P

If Rick Ankiel's name was never mentioned again ever I wouldn't be disappointed. Talk about a soap opera. Now Tony comes out and says he "loves Rick Ankiel" and they are talking about calling him up for expanded rosters. Give me a break. He's hitting something like .250 on the year in the minors.