Maddux to accept Cubs' offer (The Cubs are goin' to the World Series!)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 2.18.04 | MIKE KILEY

[mhking]

MESA, Ariz. -- The chase has ended. Greg Maddux has made up his mind and will return to the Cubs for a second chance at rectifying old wrongs.

While the Cubs had not made an official announcement Tuesday night, word leaked out in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story that was posted on the Internet that Maddux was on the verge of announcing he has decided to accept the Cubs' two-year contract offer, believed to be worth close to $15 million.

The Journal-Constitution cited a source close to the negotiations. Considering Maddux spent his last 11 seasons in a Braves uniform, it's reasonable to speculate that he spoke with the Atlanta paper. The story added that Maddux plans to be in Mesa today to report as scheduled with the other pitchers and catchers.

Maddux's return is a symbolic laying to rest of a typically ugly Cubs episode. He left the team after the 1992 season when Tribune Co. wouldn't meet his financial desires. Maddux pitched for the Cubs from 1986 to '92, going 20-11 and winning the first of his four straight National League Cy Young Awards in his last season in Chicago.

Maddux picked up where he left off after signing with the Braves, never winning fewer than 15 games in any of his seasons in Atlanta.

Allowing Maddux to get away typified the underachieving ambitions of the Cubs organization for many fans. But general manager Jim Hendry and manager Dusty Baker changed the lovable losers culture last season, when the Cubs came whiskers away from a clean cut with the past. Even the NL Championship Series collapse hasn't reversed the optimism that continues to pervade the club.

Maddux joins Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Clement in one of baseball's best rotations. The battle in the NL Central among the Cubs, Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals figures to be tight, especially with pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte strengthening the Astros.

Maddux's agent, Scott Boras, was in New York earlier Tuesday to attend Alex Rodriguez's introductory news conference with the Yankees. He spoke briefly with Hendry before boarding a flight for Phoenix, where Boras is due this morning for an arbitration hearing between closer Eric Gagne and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Because Maddux has made up his mind, all that's left for Boras and Hendry to do is sew up the final details of the contract.

Last weekend, Hendry increased his original offer, made Jan. 13, of two years at $10 million to $12 million. Maddux, who made close to $15 million with the Braves last season, likely will make about half that per year with the Cubs.

Maddux's choice appeared to come down to the Cubs, Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. Arizona is a short hop from his Las Vegas home, but the Diamondbacks did not have the money or interest.

[mhking]

....to get their butts kicked by the Yankess, but hey -- a North Side fan like me can dream, can't I?

[mhking]

"It's a beautiful day for a ball game...for a ball game today!"

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[aardvark1]

Cubs are only 11 years too late!! He could have been a life-time Cub, but they missed their chance...just like the Red Sox. You know...there's something eerily familiar about these two teams.

[Republican Red]

Alas, I am an Atlanta Braves fan. Very sad day. I will greatly miss my favorite Brave, Greg Maddux. He's a class guy.

Hopefully, Chicago will see him win game number 300 this year.

Way to go Chicago! He's still got a lot of wins left in that talented arm.

[stylin19a]

nope..no world series. Here's how it plays out

NL Championship..bottom of the 9th, Cubs are 1 out away from the World Series. Maddox is pitching a no-hitter. Runner on 3rd (a walk, and 2 stolen bases). Maddox gives up his first hit...a 2-run homer. Cubs lose...Cubs lose....Cubs lose !

I have no need for flameproof drawers. I am a Cub fan for 47 years. I've seen most all of it.

The 69 Cubs - (Tommie Agee STILL hasn't touched home plate)
The 84 Cubs - (2 games up with 3 to play in a best out of 5 series - Forget Durham's error - Lee Smith throws fastballs to Garvey's strength)
The 89 Cubs. - (If Dawson hits his weight we win)
The 03 Cubs. - (Forget the Bartman foul ball* - Decision - Pitch to Lenny Randle or pitch to Mike Lowell ? - we pitch to Lowell)

[The South Texan]

Memo to Cubs fans:

Sign whomever you want. The "Curse" will continue for you and the Red Sox.

The ASTROS are going to World Series this year.


Cub fans around the world will be saying "wait till next year."

End of memo.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

As I'm sure you are aware: the billy-goat curse was reversed last year... And your Astros were on the receiving end... The Astros will now carry that burden for the rest of YOUR lifetime! Our blow-up in the NLCS was just another bump in the road... This year it's on to the World Series.

Sippin' the Cubbie KoolAid!

[Joe Boucher]

"The Cubs are going to the world series". Yeah go out and bet the farm on that there slick.

[Izzy Dunne]

Alas, I am an Atlanta Braves fan. Very sad day. I will greatly miss my favorite Brave, Greg Maddux. He's a class guy.

Indeed he is a class guy.
But so was Tom Glavine - look what happened to him when he got out of the Braves.

Is it wrong for me to hope Maddux loses 30 games?

[Republican Red]

Maddux really is my favorite player. I want to see him get 300+.

I liked Glavine too but, situation was a tad different. Seems like the Braves turned their collective back on Maddux. However, Glavine's agent conspired to get Glavine to sign with another team. From what I read, Glavine was p.o'd that his phone call to John Schuerholz wasn't returned. He thought he was being snubbed. So instead of bargaining he signed with the Mets. Story goes that Glavine's agent never relayed the message of Schuerholzs'return call to Glavine and prodded the guy to go with the Mets.

That's what's wrong with sports today, no loyalty in any game. No loyalty from players to team (Glavine), or from team to player (Maddux)

[Right_Handed_Writer]

More night games on the schedule, a compromise with the roofttop owners, harmony between the Trib Co. and the city, Wood, Pryor, Clement, Zambrano AND Maddox.

The stars are aligning like never before in my 43 years here. Dutchie Caray should feed the Bartman ball to a goat to destroy it!

The curse is no more in 2004!

[NYCVirago]

I liked Glavine too but, situation was a tad different.

Now Glavine's mucking things up with the Mets. Fred Wilpon lets him and Leiter and Franco run the team, and even asks them for advice on who to fire or hire. Say what you will about the Yankees, but The Boss doesn't let the inmates run the asylum.

[Colonel_Flagg]

If home plate at Wrigley is 24 inches wide like it was in Atlanta, Maddux is a cinch. :)

Great pitcher, no doubt, though. And since you ripped LaTroy Hawkins away from my tight-fisted Twins, you're just that much stronger. Should be a fun NL Central race.

[Prolifeconservative]

The Cubs to the World Series, heh. Let me resurrect a famous quote from last year from the archives of FreeRepublic as a certain game was being played......

"Just 5 more outs to go....how hard can 5 more outs be."

[raybbr]

The 03 Cubs. - (Forget the Bartman foul ball* - Decision - Pitch to Lenny Randle or pitch to Mike Lowell ? - we pitch to Lowell)

I disagree. What did Baker expect from a good hitting team that had been watching fast balls for 5 games, to do, when he pitched two more fast ballers in games six and seven?

"Oh, gee, we haven't seen a fast ball like that since........last night."

Give me a break.

[baseballmom]

YO !! Just hold on a minute Mr. Cubbies Fan.



You have to get through my PHILLIES first. LOL But I do agree, any day is a beautiful day for a ballgame.

[GSWarrior]

More like Cubs are 1 out away from the World Series title, Maddux surrenders a single, walks two, and Dusty leaves him in to pitch to one more batter....you know the rest.

[stylin19a]

You are kidding, right ? You don't pitch Pryor & Wood in games 6 & 7 ?

So many goofy mistakes were made in game 6 it wasn't even funny.
Cubs are up 2 zip, runners on 1st & 2nd...nobody out and they get 1 run on a passed ball.
Rodreguiz muffs a double play ball.
They pitch to Lowell instead of bringing in a reliever and forcing McKeon to go to Randle.

[nickcarraway]

The Boss doesn't let the inmates run the asylum.

Considering he is the biggest inmate, yes, he does.

Cashman should be up for a Nobel Peace Proze for staying around so long.

[raybbr]

No. I'm not kidding. By the seventh inning they were clobbering Kerry. The next day was a battle. Start someone with junk and then bring in the heat. The Marlins were sitting on the fastballs.