The former Cubs and Braves pitcher dabbled in a variety of duties this spring, from watching pitchers to scouting to even throwing a little batting practice. One day this past spring, Minor League catcher Chris Robinson was at Fitch Park, and the Cubs were short of coaches to throw batting practice. Maddux volunteered, threw a couple times to warm up, then asked Robinson what he wanted to work on. Maddux then pinpointed the pitches exactly where Robinson wanted . . .
. . . On a rainy day in February, Maddux was standing behind pitcher Jeff Stevens, who was throwing in the batting cages. Stevens’ assignment was to throw 20 pitches, rest, then throw another 20. After he began, Maddux made a suggestion. “He’s pretty soft-spoken,” Stevens said. “He’d whisper one thing to you -- you’re going to trust him. He said, ‘Throw a slider here.’ He would help me with sequence and gave me perspective.
Why no, I’m not bitter or jealous that my favorite player of all time has foresaken the team with which he had the most success and provided me the most joy for the team that never loved him the way we, er, I mean, the Braves loved him. No sir.
