Regarded as the finest defensive center fielder in baseball by most experts in the 1970s, Garry Maddox was fast and fearless in his pursuit of flyballs. Beginning in 1975, he won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards, coinciding with the Phillies emergence as the dominant team in the Nationale League East. Maddox helped the club to six post-season appearances, and a World Series title in 1980. Tall and wiry, the bearded Maddox used his long legs to swipe 248 bases in his 15-year career, in which he batted .285 with 117 homers.
Quotes About Garry Maddox
"Garry Maddox plays shallow like Paul Blair, but he's four steps faster." — teammate Davey Johnson, in 1977
Teams Garry Maddox Played For
San Francisco Giants (1972-1975) Philadelphia Phillies (1975-1986)
Where does Garry Maddox rank among baseball greats?
Garry Maddox ranks #50 among the Top 50 all-time at CF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1976 Maddox finished fifth in National League Most Valuable Player voting, as he batted .330 in 146 games. He was consistent, batting .294 in April, and building on it, as he hit .301 in May, .326 in June, .340 in July, .349 in August, and .341 in September. He delighted home fans with a .359 average and a .500 slugging percentage at Veterans Stadium.
Where He Played Center field
Born Garry Lee Maddox was born on September 1, 1949, in Cincinnati, OH.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: PHI
College: Harbor JC
Major League Debut April 25, 1972 ... In this game, Maddox and the Giants were one-hit by Steve Carlton at Candlestick Park. Maddox struck out btwice against his future teammate.
Post-Season Appearances
1976 National League Championship Series
1977 National League Championship Series
1978 National League Championship Series
1980 National League Championship Series
1980 World Series
1981 National League Division Playoffs
1983 National League Championship Series
1983 World Series
Post-Season Notes The '77 Phillies were four games behind the Cubs at the half-way point of the schedule. The defending division champions proceeded to storm to 61 wins in their last 90 games, fueled by a stingy defense and potent offense. Maddox more than did his part, hitting .352 after July. He also showed pop, slugging 24 extra-base hits, including seven homers. He drove in 40 runs, scored 44, and swiped 12 bases.
Notes The statistical evidence supports Maddox as a clutch hitter. In his career, with men on base, he batted .295 (ten points above his career mark) with a .430 slugging percentage. With the bases loaded, he was a remarkable .340 with four grand slams. He rose to the challenge late in the season, hitting .301 in 289 games (his highest average of any month).
Hitting Streaks
20 games (1978)
15 games (1976)
Transactions Selected by San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round of the free-agent draft (January
27, 1968).
Traded by San Francisco Giants to Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Willie
Montanez (May 4, 1975).
Released by Philadelphia Phillies (November 12, 1985).
Signed by Philadelphia Phillies (December 6, 1985).
