We all know the news now how Maddux plans to announce his retirement on Monday. It's probably the best decision for Maddux as no team was really considering his services. The past couple of years he could occasionally have some good starts, but he wasn't the Maddux of old, posting ERA+ the last few years of 109, 98, 93. Nothing to sneeze at, league average pitching or even a little less is valuable in the back of the rotation. There was no need to wait all offseason or even some of the regular season to see if he could get a shot, he doesn't need to prove anything, and if teams didn't want to sign him he's above begging for a contract. The Maddux Hall of Fame debate doesn't actaully exist, and not that Mussina would/should get in his first try, but comparing his stats (arguably HoF worthy) to Maddux's shows how great Maddux was. In 1,445.6 more innings Maddux had a .52 better ERA, 9 better ERA+ (132-123), 85 more wins, 4 more Cy Young Awards among a slew of other complicated stats, and that's comparing Maddux to a guy some people are saying is definitely a Hall of Fame pitcher.
Obviously Maddux is one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball, no debate about that. The only debate now is how far up he ranks. I don't know about you, but when I saw he had 355 wins and Clemens had 354 I smiled big time. It's a good debate who is the better pitcher, but personally it's nice to see Maddux have that extra win. On that note who do you think is better Maddux or Clemens? I will put up my first poll and if anyone actaully votes I'll talk about it later with some of my spin.
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