Last time a Hall of Fame pitcher retired, I wrote him quite the eulogy. Greg Maddux is incomparably better than Mike Mussina, but everyone already knows that. What more is there to say about Maddux as a pitcher? The guy was incredible during the 90s and defined the finesse style. His defense was remarkable, he struggled in the playoffs, hung on late when his skills diminished, but he was incredible from about ’88-’02 and truly amazing in the mid-90s. He did things (like win 355 games) that nobody else will do unless rules change. But why talk about the things everyone can agree on? Why not talk about the lesser-known facts about Maddux? That’s what I’d prefer to do on the day he retires. For instance, did you know about Greg Maddux the practical joker? The guy that would pee on rookies in the shower? Did you know he would also piss in the hot tub? From David O’Brien of the AJC via my boys at Fanhouse:
I could tell you about how he (allegedly) urinated in the hot tub when he was a young Cubs pitcher, that story told to me years ago by Andre Dawson, who was in the big tub with a couple of other Cubs veterans when young Maddux informed them that he’d relieved himself in it a few minutes earlier.
I tell you, you look at the guy and you would never suspect a thing. If that’s how Maddux wanted to come across — as a nerdy professor — he sure succeeded, because I don’t think anyone would guess he’s one of the biggest practical jokers in the game. You remember Greg Maddux as the dominant pitcher, I’ll remember him as the great pisser.
