HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS GUY WIN 347 GAMES?

[Orwellian_Ghost]

Greg Maddux is always in control, even when it doesn't look that way. He'll take his secrets with him when he retires, so catch him while you can.

by Tim Keown

DISCLAIMER: What you are about to read is a story about grown men who should know better. It is included here as a means of illustrating the legend of one man and his unique place in baseball history. It should not be construed as an endorsement of the activity described, although we must admit it makes for a pretty cool story.

How many times had he heard someone say it? How many times over the past 22 years had some catcher or coach or broadcaster said, "Greg Maddux? I bet you could catch him with your eyes closed"? Sounded plausible enough, maybe coaxed a chuckle or two from the pitcher, but mostly it was just something to say. Nobody realized it was just a matter of time before somebody decided to prove it.

...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3336514

[Blue_Tires]

1. crafty control and longevity....

[karlaj]

2. His change up and control

Maddux threw fast, don't get it wrong. He could land it at 90+ with a deadly change-up, with is a very effective combination. Plus his control.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Calling a game for Penny from the dugout?

Whoa.

[rsdsharp]

4. Being able to have control so good that I guy can catch you

blindfolded is pretty amazing.

I'm reminded of a story Whitey Herzog wrote of in his autobiography about Satchel Paige. According to Herzog they were in the outfield someplace that had a wooden fence with a hole in it. Herzog challenged Paige, then somewhere between 50 and 200 years of age, to throw the ball through the hole. Assured that the ball would actually fit through the hole (just barely) Paige wound up and threw. He narrowly missed the hole the first time, but made it the second.