Another Cy For Maddux
For Greg Maddux, winning the Cy Young Award - even unanimously - is just another part of his routine.
“We might have a little party tomorrow night or something,” he said Monday after capturing his fourth consecutive N.L. Cy Young, his second straight by a shutout vote. “After winning the World Series, we’re pretty much partied out.”
Maddux, 29, continues to put up numbers that can be compared only with baseball’s greats. Steve Carlton is the only other pitcher to win four Cy Youngs. He did it for Philadelphia in 1972, 1977, 1980 and 1982.
Sandy Koufax is the only other pitcher to win the award unanimously in consecutive years - in 1965-66 for the Dodgers.
“It’s really hard for me to talk about the history of the game because my history goes back 10 years,” Maddux said from his home in Las Vegas, Nev.
“When I heard comparisons about people who pitched in the ‘50s or ‘60s or ‘70s, I can’t really relate to it. I didn’t really watch baseball a whole lot back then. I really wasn’t the fan then I am now. I just take it as a nice compliment and move on.”
Maddux, who led the Atlanta Braves to their first World Series title, received 140 points in balloting announced by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
He led the N.L. in wins (19-2), ERA (1.63) and complete games (10).
Cincinnati’s Pete Schourek was second in the voting with 55 points, followed by Braves teammate Tom Glavine with 30. Los Angeles rookie Hideo Nomo was fourth with 19 and Dodgers pitcher Ramon Martinez had eight.
Many say Maddux already is a lock to make the Hall of Fame. His career record is 150-93 with a 2.88 ERA.
“That’s something you don’t think about,” he said. “If it happens, great. I’m going to do what I’ve always done. I’m going to go out there and makes as many good pitches as I can. That’s good enough for me. Whether I’m 20-0 or 0-20, it doesn’t much matter.”
Maddux has won the Cy Young in each of his three seasons with the Braves. He says he’s a much better pitcher than when he started with the Chicago Cubs.
“Back then, I was pretty much a brain-dead heaver,” he said. “Now I’d like to think I know a little something about pitching that I can apply on the field.”
Last year, Maddux became the first player to win any of baseball’s major awards three straight times. He’s also a strong contender in this year’s N.L. MVP race.
“If it happens, great,” Maddux said. “Who wouldn’t want to win an MVP? I’m probably excited more about what our team accomplished this year than winning the Cy Young, as much of an honor as it is to win the Cy Young.”
By winning the award, Maddux gained a $750,000 bonus added to his $5 million salary. Glavine gets a $75,000 bonus added to his $4.5 million salary.