[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 121 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9008-S9009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GREG MADDUX

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding Nevadan, Greg Maddux.
  Greg Maddux is a baseball player. That is a tremendous 
understatement. He is one of best pitchers in professional baseball 
today and considered among the best to ever play the game.
  Yesterday Greg won this 15th game of the season for the 15th year in 
a row, tying a record set by Cy Young.
  For those who do not follow baseball or are not aware of the 
significance of this accomplishment, let me explain that Cy Young was 
one of baseball's first superstars. He pitched about a hundred years 
ago, starting in 1890 and finishing his career in 1911. Cy Young set 
many records that last to this day and will likely never be broken. He 
became the standard by which all pitchers who followed, even now about 
a century after him, are judged. In fact, the honor bestowed each year 
on the best pitcher in each league is known as the Cy Young award.
  Greg Maddux became the first player to ever win four consecutive Cy 
Young awards with his dominant performances in the early to mid 1990s. 
His latest achievement testifies to his continued excellence, his 
endurance and consistency and his continued hard work.
  Greg was born on April 14, 1966, the youngest of three children born 
to parents Dave and Linda Maddux. Dave was in the Air Force so the 
family including Greg's brother Mike and sister Terri moved around a 
lot but eventually settled in Las Vegas.
  At Valley High in Las Vegas, Greg Maddux earned All-State honors in 
baseball his junior and senior years. He was selected by the Chicago 
Cubs in the second round of the free agent draft while he was still in 
high school, and following his graduation in 1984, he joined their 
minor league system. He made quick progress in the minors, earing a 
call up to the big leagues in 1986 at age 20, becoming the youngest Cub 
in the majors since 1967. He won his first start on September 7 of that 
year with a complete game victory against the Cincinnati Reds, who were 
his favorite team as a youth. And later that month he won his second 
game when he beat his brother Mike, himself a successful professional 
player who pitched for 15 years in the major leagues. In fact, Mike 
pitched for 10 major league teams over 15 years. But for his brother, 
Greg, he would be Las Vegas's most famous major league pitcher.
  You can imagine how proud the Maddux family must have been to see 
these 2 brothers competing against each other as they had years earlier 
when they played whiffle ball games in the backyard, and the 
satisfaction Gregg took in overcoming his big brother.
  Greg started playing catch with his dad when he was just 2 years old 
and made enough progress that several years later he skipped tee ball 
and started playing peewee ball against boys much older and bigger than 
him.
  Although he was the smallest and youngest kid on the team, Greg 
became the starting pitcher and the best player on the team, and his 
father--who coached the team--already saw signs that Greg was destined 
to be a star.
  The Maddux family had a passion for sports, and the children learned 
the key to success was effort.
  ``I think our household was like every other American household,'' 
says Greg's mother, Linda. ``It was routine. They had school, homework, 
baseball practice, and chores around the house.''
  One of the values that David and Linda Maddux tried to instill in 
Greg and his two siblings was a ``good work ethic.''
  ``Each one had his jobs around the house,'' she says, ``and they did 
them without question.''
  That hard work clearly has paid off throughout Greg Maddux's career, 
helping make him the winningest pitcher of the 1990s.
  He is not physically imposing--he stands less than 6 feet tall and 
weighs perhaps 175 pounds. He doesn't overpower but baffles batters 
with his pinpoint control and mastery. A maxim normally applied to real 
estate could also describe the keys to Greg Maddux's successful 
pitching: location, location, location.
  He works efficiently, using economy of pitches. In yesterday's 
record-setting victory 61 of his 76 pitches were strikes. And last year 
he averaged only 1 walk per 9 innings.
  As different as it is to draw a walk from him Greg is also stingy in 
giving up runs.
  He concluded the 1990s with a 2.54 ERA over the decade, the third 
lowest ERA for any decade since 1910, behind only Hoyt Wilhelm (2.16) 
and Sandy Koufax (2.36) in the 1960s. In 1995, he became the first 
pitcher to log back to back seasons with an ERA under 1.80.
  His main pitches include a fastball in the mid-80s, a curve ball, 
slider and changeup. But whatever he throws, he regards his favorite 
pitch as strike three.
  Teammate John Smoltz, also a Cy Young winning pitcher says of Greg, 
``Every pitch has a purpose. Sometimes he knows what he's going to 
throw two pitches ahead. I swear, he makes it look like guys are 
swinging foam bats against him.''
  And an opposing team's scout remarks, ``Maddux is so good, we all 
should be wearing tuxedos when he pitches.''
  Greg Maddux has been described as a scientist who dissects opposing 
teams, an artist who paints the corners of home plate and a magician 
who can perform wonders with a baseball and make a talented batter 
disappear.
  Sports Illustrated hailed him as the ``best pitcher you'll ever 
see.''
  When he takes the mound, he presents a clinic, masterfully working 
the plate and using his arsenal of pitches. With guile, cunning and a 
poker face, he outsmarts opponents and keeps them guessing. It has been 
said that he can throw any pitch anywhere he wants on any count. As a 
result, batters are seldom able to hit the ball solidly and are often 
off balance, resulting in a harmless grounder or fly ball.
  Not only is Greg Maddux an outstanding pitcher, but an all around 
baseball player, as he can field, hit and run the bases very well. He 
holds numerous records for putouts, assists and double plays, and is 
considered one of the best-fielding pitchers of all time. He has won 12 
consecutive Gold Glove Awards for his fielding and is likely on his way 
to yet another.
  As I said he works hard on his batting, normally not something 
pitchers are known for. In 1999, he hit 2 home runs and averaged .264.
  Clearly, Greg Maddux is willing to give his all to help his team win 
though he manages to keep his cool regardless of the circumstances.
  His calm demeanor and humility mask a fierce determination and 
competitive spirit that have earned him the nickname ``Mad Dog.''
  Greg has been one of the major reasons the Atlanta Braves have been 
able to win their division an unprecedented 12 years in a row and again 
this year have the best record in the league.
  He wears number 31, but since joining the Braves as a free agent in 
1993, he has been the number 1 pitcher on a team that includes 2 other 
Cy Young winners, Smoltz and Glavine.
  Yet Greg is a modest man who downplays his achievement.
  ``I never really thought about it,'' Maddux said of the record he set 
yesterday. ``It feels good to be healthy enough to get it.'' He praises 
his teammates for much of his success and cites winning the World 
Series with the

[[Page S9009]]

Braves in 1995, not any individual achievement, as his greatest and 
proudest moment in sports.
  Watching Greg Maddux on the mound, Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone 
says he is well aware that he is seeing a future Hall of Famer. For 
winning the Cy Young, his glove and spikes are already in the Hall, and 
Greg Maddux certainly will be voted in as soon as he is eligible, five 
years after he retires.
  As much of a success and a role model as Greg Maddux is on the 
baseball field, he is also a success and role model in life.
  He is a devoted family man, married to a wonderful wife Kathy. They 
have a daughter, Amanda Paige and a son Chase Alan.
  Greg can afford to live anywhere. I know that we are happy that he 
and his family have chosen to live in Las Vegas and to contribute 
generously to others in the community, whether signing autographs for 
fans or giving his time and money towards charitable causes.
  Greg states that he has no use for the glamorous life which his money 
could buy and describes himself as ``your average Joe.''
  Kathy and Greg lead the Maddux Foundation, which is involved in 
several charitable activities in Las Vegas and Atlanta. The Foundation 
supports children's homes, domestic crisis shelters, and boys' and 
girls' clubs.
  ``Our foundation is low key,'' Maddux said. ``We've never really 
solicited anyone outside before.''
  ``The goal is to give more money to charity. It's about `How much can 
we give?' instead of `How much can we profit?' ''
  In recent years, the Madduxes have expanded their philanthropic 
efforts, and brother Mike also has a foundation that helps children. 
Greg participates in golf tournaments whose proceeds go to the Southern 
Nevada chapter of the Candlelighters, which works with families whose 
children are battling cancer, and Safe Nest, which helps victims of 
domestic violence.
  To my friend, Greg Maddux, a great baseball player and great American 
I want to thank you for all you have done for Las Vegas and for Nevada, 
as a role model for all America. You are a breath of fresh air in a 
troubled world.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to be recognized 
in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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