Cubs legend Greg Maddux’s pitching philosophy: ‘It’s not a speed contest’

Cubs legend and Hall of Famer Greg Maddux didn’t blow hitters away on the mound. The right-hander used a combination of location and changing speeds to keep hitters off balance rather than blow them away with high velocity.

Maddux relied on a sinker, circle changeup, cutter, and two- and four-seam fastball during his 23-year career. Although his fastball often sat in the upper 80s, he enjoyed plenty of success.

“It’s not a speed contest, it’s a pitching contest,” Maddux told WSCR’s Matt Spiegel. “And I believe that. I bought in to that. I always relied on locating fastball and changing speeds when (I) had to. That was my way. When you’re facing Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens or somebody like that, that definitely throws better, you can go out and try and outpitch (them).”

Maddux also threw a slider and curveball, but told Spiegel he preferred doing so largely to induce swings and misses out of the zone. His goal, he said, was to rely on his own strengths rather than attack a hitter’s weaknesses, although he said there’s a fine line between the two.

Interesting philosophy for pitching- terrible philosophy for the Autobahn…..