Greg Maddux Biography

Fast Facts

• His jersey number of 31 would be retired by the Atlanta Braves as well as the Chicago Cubs in 2009 shortly after his retirement
• Elected to the American Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 after only one appearance on the ballot
• Younger brother of fellow MLB pitcher Mike Maddux
• After receiving very few college scholarships to play baseball, he would declare for the draft in 1984 right out of high school
• Due to his father's Air Force assignments, he spent some of his childhood in Madrid, Spain
• Quote: "I can control the pitches I make, how I handle my mechanics, how I control my frame of mind․ It benefited me most ․․․ when I realized that I can't control what happens outside of my pitching․"
• After seven seasons with Chicago, he would sign a lucrative deal with the Atlanta Braves in 1993, where he would go on to play for a decade
• Drafted in the second round of the 1984 Draft by the Chicago Cubs and would eventually make his professional debut with the team two years later
• Officially announced his retirement in December of 2008
• Became the highest player in baseball after signing a five-year, $57․5 million contract with the Braves in 1997