Books and articles about Garry Maddox

Dubbed "The Secretary of Defense," Maddox had such range in the outfield that Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner commented, "Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other one-third is covered by Garry Maddox." Maddox's speed and ability to go back on the ball enabled him to play shallow and catch many short flies that would otherwise have been hits. Using an unorthodox, spread-out batting stance, he established himself as a low-ball hitter who would seldom walk. When rookie Gary Matthews joined Maddox and Bobby Bonds in 1973, San Francisco had one of baseball's best outfields. Maddox batted .319 in 1973, reached double figures in doubles, triples, HR, and steals, and had a career-high 76 RBI.

RELATED LINKS Submissions » Bombing Bill Bonham: Cub pitcher allowed hits to first seven batters by Lyle Spatz

In 1975 Maddox was dealt to the Phillies for Willie Montanez and won the first of eight straight Gold Gloves; only Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays won more in the OF. For the following decade, Maddox was the centerfielder for one of baseball's most dominant teams. Through 1980, he had to compensate for slow-footed left fielder Greg Luzinski. In 1976 he batted a career-high .330, and led the NL in outfield putouts (he led again in 1978). His 10th-inning, game-winning double in Game Five of the 1980 LCS put Philadelphia in the World Series for the first time since 1950. Injuries, particularly a bad back, curtailed his playing time beginning in 1982. He retired in May 1986. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 23, 1972: Following up a 2-hitter against the Pirates in his previous start, San Diego's Steve Arlin allows just one hit in beating San Francisco, 4–1. Garry Maddox triples in the 2nd inning for the lone hit. Nate Colbert's three run homer, off Sam McDowell, is the deciding blow. » June 19, 1974: Runners are passed in two different games tonight, depriving Giant Ed Goodson of a home run in a Cardinals–Giants match, and creating confusion in a Pirates–Dodgers match. Goodson clocks a 3rd inning pitch from Bob Gibson, then passes teammate Garry Maddox between 1B and 2B. Instead of a home run, he gets one RBI and a single. In the latter, Joe Ferguson apparently strikes out with the sacks full, and walks away, while Pirate C Manny Sanguillen agrees and rolls the ball to the mound. Lee Lacy, the LA runner on 3rd jogs to the dugout. The runner from 2B, Jimmy Wynn comes around to score but is tagged out. Lacy scurries from the dugout, slides home, and is also tagged out. Lacy, though tagged, is ruled safe according to the rules. The confusion is deemed moot as the Pirates prevail, 7–3. » August 5, 1975: The first seven Phillies hit safely—good for 15 bases—against Bill Bonham (10–8)and the Cubs, in setting a ML record. No pitcher has ever started a game by allowing seven straight hits. Dave Cash leads off with a single, and Larry Bowa matches it. Garry Maddox homers over the LF fence. Greg Luzinski singles, and Jay Johnstone and Tommy Hutton follow with doubles to make it 5–0. Mike Schmidt then hits his 22nd homer to finally drive Bonham out of the game. His replacement, Ken Crosby (making his ML debut) gives up a single to Johnny Oates for the 8th straight hit. Dick Ruthven lays down a sac bunt for the first out, but three walks, two hits and a balk make it 10–0. As historian Lyle Spatz notes, the Phils last scored 10 runs in a frame on August 13, 1948. Schmidt adds a 2nd homer to help push the final to 135. » November 29, 1975: Two Orioles standouts, with a combined total of 24 Gold Glove Awards, are each honored for the last time. Brooks Robinson and Paul Blair are the two making swan songs on TSN fielding team, while outfielders Garry Maddox and Fred Lynn each win the award for the first time. » October 7, 1978: The Dodgers win the NLCS 4–3 as Bill Russell's 10th-inning 2-out single scores Ron Cey. Dusty Baker collects four hits for Los Angeles. A walk to Cey and a routine liner that Garry Maddox muffs in CF sets up Russell's game-winner. » October 11, 1980: In one of the most exciting and controversial games in playoff history, the Phillies tie the NLCS at two games apiece with a 10-inning 5–3 win over the Astros. In the 4th inning, Houston is deprived of an apparent triple play when the umpires rule that pitcher Vern Ruhle had trapped Garry Maddox's soft line drive. In the 6th, Houston loses a run when Gary Woods leaves the base early on Luis Pujol's would-be sacrifice ?y. » October 12, 1980: The Phillies capture their first NL title since 1950 with a 10-inning 8–7 win over the Astros in the 5th and final game of the NLCS. Each of the last four games was decided in extra innings. The Phils, down by three runs to Nolan Ryan in the 8th, rally, winning on Garry Maddox's double in the 10th. » May 7, 1986: Thirty-six-year-old Phillies OF Garry Maddox, an 8-time Gold Glove winner, retires. Only Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays have won more Gold Gloves in the outfield.