Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Greg Maddux

Watch: Mike Piazza on MSG Celebrity Row

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

During last night’s Knicks-Nuggets game at the Garden, Mike Piazza appeared at halftime with Jill Martin on the MSG Network. You can watch the segment below, but some of the highlights were Piazza saying he and Johnny Bench are tied as “the best hitting catchers of all-time,” how he would like to go into the […]

BBWAA Will Not Induct Anyone Until 2014

Monday, December 19th, 2011

It’s been nearly 15 years since the BBWAA elected to not enshrine someone in Cooperstown. During the 1996 election, Phil Niekro received 68.3% of the vote, followed by Tony Perez (65.7%), and Don Sutton (63.8%). Ironically, all three would be enshrined by 2000.  I believe there is a good chance no one will be inducted by the […]

Oakland Moneyball Trio in Historical Context

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

When the movie Moneyball was released in September, the main gripe by the public was how Michael Lewis never addressed how that team was built on the foundation of great starting pitching. A couple of weeks ago I debated with Chris Plummer at the Perpetual Post who was the best member of the A’s during that […]

A Bullpen Session With Greg Maddux

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Greg Maddux is fifth all-time in wins with 355. Think about it, that is only eight less than Warren Spahn, and eighteen less than Christy Mathewson and Pete Alexander; pitchers that played in an era where you went the entire game. Maddux did spend a large chunk of his career with the division winning Braves, […]

Pedro Martinez: Most Dominant Pitcher Ever?

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Earlier in the week I called Pedro Martinez the “Sandy Koufax of our generation.” This was done just by the eye test. I remember how feared and dominant Martinez was as a member of the Red Sox. Even as he declined during his days as a Met, Martinez still put together one of the better pitching performances in […]

Book Dishes Dirt on MLB, Seagulls, Per Diem, Mark Newman

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Fans of gossip are probably familiar with Perez Hilton, which delves into the lives of celebrities, but there is a site called TerezOwens.com which appears to be doing the same for athletes. I know some like this sort of thing, and others don’t; regardless, it’s become part of the landscape so we have to talk […]

You Can’t Blame the Yanks for Irresponsible Contracts

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

A usual meme you hear from fans, writers, and even baseball executives is how the Yankees are the ruination of baseball. Yes, it’s frustrating to see them outspend the next highest payroll team by fifty million dollars or more, but that is a recent development thanks to the YES Network and the explosion of the […]

CC Sabathia: Best Bet for 300 Wins?

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

This tweet from Tyler Kepner of the NY Times got me thinking: CC Sabathia has 148 wins and turns 30 tomorrow. Last pitcher with as many wins before age 30 was Greg Maddux, with 151. He won 355. Earlier this year author Dan Schlossberg talked on my show about the art of winning 300 games. […]

Rivera For Cy Young

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Interesting question posed to Tim Kurkjian this morning. Does Mariano Rivera have a shot at the Cy Young? The short answer is no. Zack Grienke—unless he completely and utterly implodes—is getting it. He all but wrapped it up with the amazing start he had. That said; why isn’t Rivera in the conversation? I know, I […]

Rain, Comebacks, Maddux, Lugo

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

- Yankees fans experienced déjà vu to start the second half. A rain delay and a comeback. - Is Phil Hughes doing a great impersonation of Mariano Rivera circa 96 or what? Maybe Joba can watch him and see what happens when a young pitcher actually pitches instead of just throws. - Great job by […]

Leave Joba Chamberlain Alone!

Monday, July 6th, 2009

I have to say, when I hear Yankees fans complaining about Joba Chamberlain’s progress, it brings to mind people who complain about a house with only five bedrooms, a car that only gets 50 miles to the gallon, or a Thomas’ English Muffin with an insufficient number of nooks and crannies. Joba Chamberlain, who struggled […]

Grinding It Out, Pitcher Abuse Pts, Mex’s Commute

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

- When it was all said and done the Yanks had a nice road trip at 5-4. No one would have complained if they produced this type of trip in the middle of the season. You have to love these grind it out type of wins. - No way the 2008 Yankees win a game […]

Joba’s Innings Limit Cost Yankees Victory, but Marlins win on Complete Game!

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Much has been written about Joba Chamberlain and the starter vs. reliever discussion. Despite some writers on this site continuing to bring it up, that discussion has been over for quite some time as Joba has been a starter for most of his life and will be a starter for his pro career. Any time […]

And We Say Goodbye to the other “Mad Dog”

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

I know hundreds and thousands of us can’t wait to see their new acquisitions play at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium We are all waiting for something new, something fresh as we get closer and closer to the 2009 baseball season. What was overlooked here in New York is how we said goodbye to someone […]

Braves Love of Mets Continues

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Maybe the current Braves hate the Mets, but the players that donned the uniform throughout the years seem to have an affection playing at Shea Stadium. Of all the things to mention during his retirement press conference, Greg Maddux brought up how he loved to play at Shea Stadium. He also mentioned the great “smell”. […]