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I wrote about Greg Maddux’s 330th win yesterday in today’s THT Daily. My brother, who has been following the Dodgers closely for approximately 80 gajillion years, sent me the following e-mail with a great description of Maddux’s performance:
Maddux’ performance yesterday was far better than anyone has expressed. In addition to what you mentioned, consider:
1. The Dodger bullpen was in shock after the long extra inning game the night before, so Maddux averaged something like 10 pitches an inning and rescued the entire pitching staff.
2. Maddux singled home the first run of the game with two out and took second on the throw on what should have been a close play.
3. Maddux started two double plays, one on a spectacular stab.
4. Maddux squeezed home a run!
5. In the bottom of the 7th, Maddux made an amazing play that even Vin Scully didn’t really fully appreciate. With two out and men on (I forget exactly), the batter lined sharply to Nomar, who seemed likely to glove it for the final out. I relaxed, Scott relaxed, and I’m sure that Vinny relaxed. But not Maddux! When the ball skipped off Garciaparra’s glove, Normar picked it up but was too far from first to beat the runner. BUT MADDUX WAS THERE! Maddux had run hard to cover first even though it seemed obvious to everyone that Nomar would catch it.
6. When Maddux walked off the field after this play, over 30,000 Angelos rose and gave him a standing ovation. If you’re from New York or Boston or Chicago or St. Louis, you won’t understand how important this last point is, but having lived in LA for 36 years, I can tell you that it was huge. We don’t do things like that. Maddux has revitalized the fans to the point where cheers break out without the organ helping us (sort of like they do in the East). From that point of view, he’s replaced Eric Gagne as the adopted hero of the fans, and I think you’ll see that this new level of support will help the team substantially.