Books and articles about Bill Madlock

The first player in major league history to win a pair of batting crowns with two different teams, Bill Madlock's bat sparked three different teams to post-season play. After outstanding performances at Spokane (Triple-A) and Texas in 1973, Madlock was traded to the Cubs with Vic Harris for Ferguson Jenkins. Madlock replaced Ron Santo at third base and hit .313, the highest average for a Cubs third baseman since 1945. The 5'11" 190-lb Madlock had a compact swing, one of the prettiest in baseball, and scattered line drives throughout the National League. He easily won the 1975 batting title and edged Ken Griffey in 1976. A sometimes moody player who earned a reputation early in his career for sitting down against tough pitchers, Madlock was dealt to San Francisco on February 11, 1977 with Rob Sperring for Bobby Murcer, Steve Ontiveros, and Andy Muhlstock. The Giants moved Madlock, at best an adequate fielder, from third base to second, and his batting tailed off.

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The unhappy infielder was rescued by Pittsburgh on June 28, 1979. Madlock and Len Randle came to the Pirates for Ed Whitson, Al Holland, and Fred Breining and brought a pennant to Pittsburgh. Madlock returned to third base, batted .328 during the season, and hit .375 in the World Series. He solidified both the offensive and defensive lineups of the World Champions. After two more batting titles, his play mirrored the decline of the Pirates. Again a pennant contender, this time the Dodgers, was willing to trade young prospects for a proven bat. Madlock went to Los Angeles on August 31, 1985 and batted .360 in a successful stretch run. He hit three HR in the Dodgers' LCS loss. In 1987 Madlock filled Detroit's void at third base and earned a third trip to postseason play. The 37-year old became a free agent following the 1987 season and played in Japan in 1988. From 1971 through 1989, Madlock was the only righthanded batter to lead the NL in batting average. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » October 25, 1973: The Cubs trade 6-time 20-game winner Ferguson Jenkins to the Rangers for 3B Bill Madlock and utility man Vic Harris. Fergie has led the Cubs in wins in each of the past seven seasons, the only pitcher ever to do so and then be traded. Meanwhile, the Giants trade 3-time home run champion Willie McCovey, a Giant since 1959, together with a minor leaguer, to the Padres for P Mike Caldwell. » July 15, 1975: The National League rallies for three runs in the 9th inning to win the All-Star Game at Milwaukee 6–3. The Cubs Bill Madlock and the Mets Jon Matlack share the game's MVP award. » July 26, 1975: Bill Madlock goes 6-for-6 during the Cubs 10-inning 9–8 loss to the Mets. » September 9, 1975: The Cubs Bill Madlock suffers an "incomplete fracture" of his right thumb when hit by a Bruce Kison pitch in a 6–5 win over the Pirates. » September 24, 1976: Chicago Cub Bill Madlock suffers a bruises and a slight concussion when he is mugged in New York City. Chicago then gets mugged by the Mets 4–3. » October 3, 1976: The Cubs Bill Madlock wrests the NL crown from the Reds Ken Griffey by collecting 4 singles in an 11-1 win over the Braves. The hits raise Madlock from .333 to .339, one point ahead of the idle Griffey, who belatedly joins the Reds 8-2 win over the Expos and goes 0-for-2, dipping his average to .336. » February 11, 1977: The Cubs trade 3B Bill Madlock, the NL batting champ the past two seasons, and 2B Rod Sperring to the Giants for OF Bobby Murcer, IF Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top Cub career average. » June 28, 1979: The Pirates trade pitchers Ed Whitson, Al Holland, and Fred Breining to the Giants for P Dave Roberts and infielders Bill Madlock and Lenny Randle. Madlock, whose average dropped after the Giants moved him to 2B, will rebound with the Bucs. » October 14, 1979: Bill Madlock has four hits and Tim Foli drives in three runs as the Pirates stay alive with a 7–1 victory. » May 1, 1980: Pittsburgh's Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock is fined $5,000 and suspended 15 games by National League president Chub Feeney for poking umpire Jerry Crawford in the face with his glove after being called out on strikes with the bases loaded. Madlock appeals and remains in uniform, but finally withdraws the appeal and begins serving the suspension on June 6th, after disgruntled NL umpires threaten to eject him from every game he tries to play in. » September 14, 1982: Richie Hebner and Bill Madlock hit grand slams to lead the Pirates to a 15–5 rout of the Cubs. » April 12, 1983: At the Pirates home opener, Cardinals reliever Bruce Sutter is on the mound in the 8th when, with Keith Hernandez playing deep behind 1B, Pirate baserunner Bill Madlock takes a long leadoff. With Madlock distracted by Hernandez, Sutter darts off the mound and makes an unassisted put out. Sutter and the Cards are winners, 4–3. » August 31, 1985: The Pirates trade former batting champion Bill Madlock to the Dodgers for prospects R.J. Reynolds, Cecil Espy, and Sid Bream. » September 23, 1987: Bill Madlock collects his 2,000th career hit as the Tigers beat Boston 4–0 on Doyle Alexander's 2-hitter.