Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Mad Dog

One of my favorite pitchers of all time, Greg Maddux, re-signed with the Padres for another year. Obviously at 41 he's no longer the pitcher he was in the mid 90s, but he's still a slightly above average start who stays healthy. Since 1988, the fewest starts he's made in a non-strike shortened year was 33!! For comparison's sake, Pedro Martinez has started 33 games 3 times, but thats the most he's ever started.

In fact, as scary as this sounds, if Maddux pitches 3 more seasons and gets 100 starts (I know its a big if, but a pitcher of his style can last), he'll be only 8 starts shy of tying Cy Young.

Since we know he'll pitch in 2008, lets look at some numbers.

He's 7 wins shy of Clemens at 354, which he should get easily (assuming Clemens actually retires). He's 14 shy of Kid Nichols and 16 shy of Spahn. Last year he had 14 wins, so this range is possible.

If he stays healthy, he'll end the season in 4th for all time games started, passing Clemens (they are tied), Carlton and Niekro

He's currently 16th in innings pitched and could pass Clemens, Bobby Mathews (who??) and Blyleven.

He never was much of a strikeout guy, but still sits at 11th all time. He should pass Niekro.

I can't say how long he'll pitch, but I'll be rooting for him.

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