From the Favorites Box: Greg Maddux, 1995 Lykes SGA Atlanta Braves (NNO)

A series where I post some thoughts about favorite cards. Previous cards in the series are available here.

 

 

Look at this dork.

 

 

Next time you're walking behind him in the school hallway, you're definitely going to dump his books.

 

A few days later you spot him. But you hesitate. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you tell yourself that you'd better be careful with this guy. You're not sure why, but something tells you that he will destroy you if you try to embarrass him. And there will be two options:

 

 

(1) He'd use a high-brow barrage of psychological-speak on you that leaves you messed up for months.

 

(2) He'd execute a low-brow, sick prank on you that leaves you messed up for months.

 

 

And you don't want part of either. You're just trying to play some baseball. So instead of dumping his books, you take a wide berth around him. Or better yet, you just get to class using another hallway altogether.

After all, he's the starting pitcher in two days. And he's been pitching so well lately that you know he's not going to give the other team much of a sniff at winning.

 

So just get ready for the game, go out there and get a couple of hits and play solid defense behind him, and everything will be just fine. 

 

Just. Fine.

 

As for Mr. Maddux, he'd also be just fine after his high school baseball career came to a close. You don't need me to tell you much about that, but here are some rather noteworthy accomplishments anyway:

 

4x Cy Young

4x ERA Title

8x All-Star

18x Gold Glove

3,000+ Strikeouts

300+ Wins

1995 World Series Champion 

All of that with fastball speeds that often topped out around 90 mph. Accuracy, smarts, and tenacity. Absolutely brilliant.

And for reminding us that brilliance comes in many shapes, sizes, and forms, 1995 Lykes SGA Atlanta Braves (NNO) has a spot in my box of favorite cards.