The first time Greg Maddux stepped on the mound as a Dodger I thought, so this is the place where the old veteran will end his career and try to relive his last moments of glory. Also, it appeared as Maddux had let himself go as far as being in shape. It turns he was in good condition just was unable to breathe life into a deflated team. In 2005 with L.A. the crafty gamer went 6-3 with a 3.30 ERA. Not bad at all for a pitcher who many felt was at the end of his rope (especially me). Now after gutting out a few miserable seasons with the lowly Padres he has returned to Hollywood, not in search of regained fame, but for a sweet piece of the pie. The move by the Dodgers was aimed obviously to give them an extra arm in the rotation and a shove towards earning a playoff spot.
What the postseason-starved young Dodgers get is a future Hall of Famer with a career 353 wins and 35 shutouts. If they can succeed with Manny and 'ole Mad Dog there is no saving them. With how the D-backs keep playing and Brandon Webb (19-3) on fire the Dodgers better turn up the voltage to high and play like there is no tomorrow. Maddux will be an asset no doubt, he's a real gamer approaching near 5,000 innings pitched and 737 games started.
That's pretty consistent numbers from a reliable 42-year-old veteran with plenty of experience under his belt. The former All-Star pitcher can add value to the team's run in the final month. Come October if the Dodgers hit with consistency behind Maddux and the club's other starters playoff emergence is a great possibility. If they can get the D-backs to cough up a few games in the desert or keel over a few times then L.A. is in business.
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Tough game against the Phils, but still a HOF player.
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