Greg Maddux | The Baseball Zealot

Cubs retire #31: Get two for one

The question is: Why wasn’t it done before?

The Chicago Cubs will retire the uniform number 31 to honor pitchers Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux. It was the fifth number retired by the Cubs. The other numbers are (chronologically) #14 Ernie Banks, #26 Billy Williams, #10 Ron Santo, and #23 Ryne Sandberg.

No doubt both pitchers are very worthy of this honor. Interestingly, both served the Cubs in two separate stints. Jenkins was 167-132 with a 3.20 ERA in 401 appearances including six 20-win seasons.

Maddux won 133 games for the Cubs and his first Cy Young came when he was still with the Cubs.

Both have a great place in Cub history and it’s about time for Jenkins, in my opinion.

Greg Maddux Announces his Retirement

With all the talk about the Hall of Fame, sure to be Hall of Famer, Greg Maddux announced his retirement as the 2008 Baseball Winter Meetings began. Maddux first appeared in the major leagues in 1986 with the Chicago Cubs as a pinch runner, stayed in the game, and picked up the loss in relief. He proved the loss to be a fluke, as he amassed a 355-227 record during his 23 year big league career.

Greg never was an overpowering pitcher, he’d spot his fastball & change speeds. No other 300 win pitchers has ever reached the 3,000 strikeout plateau, while walking less than 1,000 batters. His 355 wins are more lifetime wins than any righthanded pitcher since Walter Johnson, who retired in 1927.

Check out this story on mlb.com about Greg Maddux’ amazing career.

Congratulations Greg Maddux on a wonderful baseball career!!!