Some More Moments

There are some cards that are the bane of the collecting process.  For some people, it may be those low numbered parallels.  For others, it could be finding a good condition vintage card. Probably all of us struggle with needing cards that are way too pricey.

You would think that the Moments & Milestones cards would be the bane of collecting for me, but I actually enjoy the hunt for these.  When I find a nice lot of them for a good price, it feels like an accomplishment.

The real bane is finding a way to blog about them.  I have so many, and it feels like a pretty boring topic, so they sit in my scan folders.  It’s also very time consuming to find the game logs for each one and write my summaries.  I’m not going to stop that, though, because I started it that way and I’m not going to quit part way through.

So, let’s travel back in time and enjoy a few more moments in Greg Maddux history.

1988 not pictured

Win #13
May 6, 1988 – Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco

Early in his career, Maddux probably wasn’t thinking about 300 wins.  But, he got his fifth of the early year on this day by giving up one run over 7.1 innings and striking out 7.  Ryne Sandberg and Jim Sundberg both hit home runs making all Cubs fans wish they had a player named Sondberg as well.

Happy I’m not collecting the blue and blacks

Win #56
August 19, 1990 – Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves

The 11th win of the year was a close one. The Cubs took the lead in the bottom of the 7th, lost it in the 8th, and regained it on the bottom of that inning.  Greg pitched all 8 innings and struck out 4 batters in the 5-4 win.

They could have used an early days picture for the first Cubs stint

Win #76
April 7, 1992 – Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies

Opening day saw Greg get his first hit of the season (a single), a caught stealing of John Kruk (!), 2 hit batters, 1 wild pitch and 6 Ks over 7 innings and 3 earned runs in the one-run victory.

At least they match the team

Win #103
July 11, 1993 – Atlanta Braves at Florida Marlins

You didn’t expect the Marlins to win many games in their inaugural season.  So it was a relatively easy 8th win of year for Maddux.  The multi-gold glove winner made his fifth fielding error of the year. But, on the positive side, he struck out 9, and gave up only 2 runs in a 6-3 win.  The original Mike Stanton got the save.

These numbers are going up quick

Win #210
July 2, 1999 – Atlanta Braves at New York Mets

This was an absolute blowout. 16-0 against their division rivals.  Maddux only pitched 6 of those innings, as the Braves saved his energy for more competitive contests.  Of course, he only used up 66 pitches over that time.  Chipper Jones hit 2 homers, 3 other Braves hit homers, Otis Nixon with a triple, and a slew of doubles made for a rough day in Queens.

I imagine I have every serial number 1-150

Win #212
July 11, 1999 – Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox

Two games later in same season and it was another easy win: 8-1.  Greg pitched 8 innings, one earned run in the first inning, but it was enough to get his 10th win of the season.  Ryan Klesko’s three-run homer certainly helped.

The number is a little misprinted

Win #225
April 28, 2000 – Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres

7 innings, 4 Ks, 1 ER, 0 walks, and Andres Galarraga’s 9th home run already equals the 4th win of the year for Maddux and the 16th for the team.

That’s better

Win #235
August 23, 2000 – Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies

His 14th win of that same season is thanks to Brian Jordan’s three-run homer (Maddux got a single of his own, but it didn’t score a run).  68 pitches got him through 7 innings where Mike Remlinger took over for the save.

Almost done

Win #261
May 15, 2002 – Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants

Greg’s 4th win of year put the team at 1 game under .500 for the season.  Two walks, and one strikeout over 8 innings was enough as no runs crossed the plate.  Vinny Castilla drove in three and Chipper added two more runs for the Braves.

Last one…for now!

Win #286
August 27, 2003 – Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets

It was a shorter outing for his 13th win of the year.  65 pitches over 6 innings with a solo home run given up.  He was able to pick off Jose Reyes at second base, though.  Chipper provided all of the offense with a three-run homer and an RBI single later.