According to Braves.com, fans are encouraged to be in their seat by 7:15, as ceremonies will start at 7:30. I was surprised by this, as i thought it might last a little more than 5 minutes.

Also, Dale Murphy will be signing in the Fan Plaza from 5:25 to 6:25, and then have a Q & A.

Braves Homestand Highlights

I’m quite sure the ceremony will last longer than 5 minutes and the start of the game will be delayed until the presentation is over. Does anyone know if Hank is expected to be there for the ceremony?

The coolest thing I ever heard about Maddux was from and interview with Marquis Grissom. Grissom said between innings of a Spring Training game against the Astros that Maddux told him that when Jeff Bagwell came up that he was going to try something. He told Grissom that he should play two steps to the side and one step back from where he normally plays. Grissom says, “Sure, whatever.” So then when Bagwell comes up, Grissom moves over like Maddux asked. Before pitching, Maddux check on Grissom, and nods his approval. The third pitch of the at bat Bagwell hits a fly ball to center, which Grissom only has to lift his glove to catch. He didn’t even have to take one step. Grissom said “How the hell did he know that?” Freaking amazing.

The best game I ever went to was an hour and forty six minute Greg Maddux shutout and I’m glad I’m able to say I saw the best pitcher in history pitch about 10 times. The guy is an all time legend.

Maddux for Life.

No. 31 on the mound – how I miss those days.

Instead of a specific memory, I would like to add that as a Braves fan – when Maddux was pitching in his prime, anytime his name was listed as the SP I just had the feeling there would automatically be a “W” in the box score. I know of course that didn’t always happen, but as a fan I always felt it was likely. No anxiety before the game, knowing that unless there was some kind of flukey game, Mad Dog was money.

His presence is missed in the ballpark the clubhouse and the dugout. He deserves the honor they will give him tonight and again when he’s inducted into the HOF.

I’m thankful I got to watch him pitch for so many years.

-Putting family first and choosing Atlanta over New York for less money
-The goofy glasses
-Reading a book in the dugout on days not pitching
-Sub-two hour complete game shutouts
-Calling his own games
-Accepting arbitration
-Passing Roger Clemens in wins to cement his superiority over dickhead

And if you listen to Leo Mazzone, you’ve probably heard this one before, but I still love it.

It was an interleague game between the Braves and Yankees, and someone (I think it was Jorge Posada) comes to bat. Now this is a guy that Maddux has always had trouble getting out, and he’s been laboring a bit in about the 6th inning, so Mazzone comes to the mound. And Maddux says to him “Well, if I can’t get him by the third pitch, I’ll walk him and you can take me out. But I think I can get him to pop out to third.”

And sure enough, on the second pitch, he induced a pop up to third base to end the inning.

I still have a 4 Straight Cy Young Pennate on my wall in my sports room with my posters, probably won’t ever take it down either. What i’ll remember about Maddox most is his pinpoint controll. I remember always watching highlights or replays where the announcers and commentators made comments about the catcher not having to move his glove one inch because Mad Dog was that perfect. It was always a pleasure to watch him pitch, a thing of perfection and beauty.

But my favorite was most definitely his complete game in the first game of the 1997 NLDS against the Astros. It was the first playoff game ever at Turner and Greg beat Darryl Kile 2-1 on a Chipper sac fly and Klesko home run.

About the game against the Astros where Maddux only gave up one hit, a home run to Bagwell, and was otherwise the most dominant he’d ever seen. I wish we could have Skip there tonight to tell that story one more time…

How can you not love an athlete who is the most dominant of his generation, and looks like he would be a bit dorky even for an accountant? BTW, most wins in the live ball era behind Warren Spahn. UNREAL! We were truly given a gift to watch him play during the 90’s.

For my moment, I will take Game 1 of the 95’ series where he bangs out 9 innings of 2 hit, no earned run ball to win the game. Awesome.

And of course, the greatest commercial ever:

Chicks dig the long ball

They are retiring Maddux’s number today. They are going to have to make a bunch more room on the rail out there in the next few years. Chipper, Smoltz, Glavine and probably Bobby will be up there soon enough.

Game One, 1995 World Series

My favorite Maddux stories deal w/ him and his teammates.
1. Once a rookie (still haven’t ever heard who) was showering off after the game and Maddux went right over to him and peed on his feet. What the hell is this rookie going to do? Its Mad Dog Maddux!

2. As is custome Chipper Jones get his 1st major league hit and the umpire calls time to retrieve the ball. Maddux is the closet by and catches it in the dug out and picks a nasty booger and wipes it on Chipper’s ball.

3. The last time (maybe the 1st?) Maddux faced Smoltzie. Smoltz was absolutely dealing and might of had a no hitter going towards the middle of the game and in steps Maddux in the batters box. He pokes it into right center for a hit. He then asks for the ball and sends it over to the Braves dug out for Smoltz to sign. Anyone else would have received a fast ball on the #’s.