Greg Maddux, who has won his last five decisions for the San Diego Padres, recently set the record for 20 consecutive seasons with at least 10 victories breaking the mark set by Cy Young (who else?) in 1909. Mad Dog also has gone a remarkable 54 1/3 straight innings (as of Sept. 8) without issuing a walk. The last time he walked a batter was July 28 against Houston, and for his career, he averages walking just one batter every five innings.
Did you know he established an NL record by not walking a batter in 72 1/3 innings while he was with the Braves in 2001?
Maddux (3.09) and Roger Clemens (3.12) have similar earned-run-averages during their careers, but Clemens has nine more wins and 28 fewer losses.
If you were a general manager today, would you rather have a power pitcher like Clemens, or a crafty hurler like Maddux?
Maddux has averaged 6.82 innings per career start, and averages just 1.138 walks and hits per innings (WHIP) pitched lifetime. Clemens WHIP is actually slightly higher at 1.172 and he averages slightly more innings (6.96) per start.