For Love Of The Game
Like BB and everybody out who loves baseball, this game tonight is one that in some ways transcends all that has gone on this year for the Cubs. You have two 300-game winners, something that is becoming VERY rare, pitching against one another in a matchup of clearly the two best pitchers of their generation.
Michael Barrett told me something interesting today about Maddux and Clemens. He says they never panic. When the game speeds up or things get a little out of control, they slow everything down, they stick to their gameplan and then never buckle under the pressure. He said it must be a trait they were born with. Hard to argue that.
On the talent scale, there's no doubt both guys are terrific athletes and both have terrific stuff (Maddux of course doesn't throw nearly as hard as he once did, but he still gets that sinker moving like few others). But a lot of pitchers have great stuff. Let me repeat, a lot. But it's really what goes on between the ears that seems to separate these two guys from most of their contemporaries. And really, that sort of thing has always defined greatness in pro sports. Those who can handle the pressure and adversity and those who are always one step ahead of the competition. There's no doubt Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens fit that category.
One last quick plug for the "other" surefire Hall of Famer participating tonight. Craig Biggio is a no-brainer for Cooperstown and he'll lead off for the Astros tonight.
Enjoy it...I know we will!
Len
Comments
I like to know what I am doing wrong when I try to email you guys durning the game I always get a mailer failer notice I can never get it to go threw and I type just how you guys show it on t.v please help me get this right Thank You Donovan
Posted by: Donovan | July 19, 2006 8:48 PM
In a time when some of these young pitchers(Zambrano+Marmol) do everything they can to get the cameras and crowd focused on them, (pointing to the sky), Maddux and Clemens show us how things should be done. Two Hall Of Famers who just go about their business in a professional manner. The game is going to sorely miss them when they are gone. A very nice performance by both last night, and we will miss you both when you hang em up.
Posted by: Brad | July 20, 2006 5:41 AM
i cannot stand clemens,oh ya he really cares so much about his team(NOT) he wont even go on road trips with them and it took him half a season to decide to play with the astros,sorry clemens your not above the game.
Posted by: leo s. | July 20, 2006 10:23 AM
Can you please tell my sister Christina Happy Mother's Day. We've had a long hard year and I can't be there for Mother's Day. She's a huge Cubs fan.
Thank you,
Susan
Posted by: Susan | May 13, 2007 2:18 PM