Padres ask Maddux to consider player/coach role

[Unassisted]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...ff-notes_N.htm

Dual role for Maddux?

The San Diego Padres have talked to Greg Maddux about of becoming a player-coach in the organization, general manager Kevin Towers said Thursday.

Pete Rose was the last player-manager in Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds from 1984 to 1986.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre was a player-manager with the New York Mets in 1977.

Yet Towers anticipates that Maddux might retire instead.

Maddux, 42, whose 355 victories are the eighth-most in baseball history, has yet to make an announcement.

[Joseph]

Isn't that technically tampering since he's a Dodger?

[Team Clark]

Isn't that technically tampering since he's a Dodger?

That conversation probably happened while he was with San Diego.

[RedsManRick]

How is this any different from what he's been doing the last 4 or 5 years? Just an excuse to skip him in the rotation?

[redsmetz]

So why bring up "player managers"? That's the lazy man's way in a story because they've been common. But, writer, tell me when we've last had a "player coach" (not an informal teammate giving tips to other teammates). I'm sure it's been done, but what they're talking about for Maddux isn't a player manager relationship, it's entirely different. Tell me some history here so I can better understand the dynamics of such an arrangement.

[Mainspark]

I believe Lou Piniella was a player-coach during his last season or two with the Yankees.

[Unassisted]

Guess he didn't like the idea.

http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/...ire_136749.htm

GREG MADDUX 'ALMOST CERTAIN' TO RETIRE

By JOEL SHERMAN

November 3, 2008 --

DANA POINT, Calif. -- Greg Maddux, the eighth winningest pitcher in major league history, is almost certain to retire, his agent, Scott Boras, said tonight.

"He hasn't made a final decision, but for now it is doubtful he will play (any longer)," Boras said at the GM Meetings. "As it stands now, he is not going to play."

Maddux is a certain Hall of Famer. He won four Cy Young awards in a row from 1992-95. Maddux is 355-227. He began last season with the Padres and finished up working mainly out of the pen for the NL West champion Dodgers.

Only Warren Spahn with 367 wins has more victories in what is considered the live ball period of baseball, since 1920, than Maddux.

[Mario-Rijo]

GREG MADDUX 'ALMOST CERTAIN' TO RETIRE

By JOEL SHERMAN

November 3, 2008 --

DANA POINT, Calif. -- Greg Maddux, the eighth winningest pitcher in major league history, is almost certain to retire, his agent, Scott Boras, said tonight.

"He hasn't made a final decision, but for now it is doubtful he will play (any longer)," Boras said at the GM Meetings. "As it stands now, he is not going to play."

Maddux is a certain Hall of Famer. He won four Cy Young awards in a row from 1992-95. Maddux is 355-227. He began last season with the Padres and finished up working mainly out of the pen for the NL West champion Dodgers.

Only Warren Spahn with 367 wins has more victories in what is considered the live ball period of baseball, since 1920, than Maddux.

Think getting close or beating this mark had anything to do with him hanging around this long? 355 Wins at a time when 300 is now tough to get is a nice little nail to hang your hat on to suggest to all that "I was the best pitcher of this era". BTW Clemens had 354!