Mariano was great at what he did but I can't see putting him in the discussion because he only had to do it 1 inning a game, sometimes he didn't even have to. To me Greg Maddux is so much better than him. Maddux didn't have a heater, but he had movement on his fastball, he had a curve and slider, and his placement was better than any other pitcher I've ever seen. Here is my all world team. I'll go with a 5 man rotation, 5 relievers and then 1 at every position and a DH. Starting Pitchers: Nolan Ryan Pedro Martinez Greg Maddux Sandy Koufax Cy Young Relief Pitchers: Mariano Rivera Dennis Eckersly Goose Gossage Trevor Hoffman Lee Smith 1st Base: Lou Gherig 2nd Base: Ryne Sandberg 3rd Base: Cal Ripken Jr (sorry Cal I did ya like the O's did and moved you to 3rd in 96) SS: Ozzie Smith Catcher: Johnny Bench Outfielders: Ken Griffey Jr Willie Mays Barry Bonds DH David Ortiz (love the guy, probably more that deserve it but I'd take Big Papi, Reggie Jackson or Babe would be more deserving but fuck them and their pinstripes)
Maddux made his living off of 2 pitches, a fastball that had the precision of a surgeon and a damn fine change up. Its really the only two pitches you need if you can locate and you are right, GM never had heat, I'd say probably mid to high 80's perhaps a 92 if he reached down and brought everything he had.
Have to put Bob Gibson in the starting pitchers.1968 ERA 1.12 28 complete games 13 shutouts over 300 innings pitched.
Maddux can be argued as one of the best ever with the Peyton Manning regular season asterisk by his name. But as with Peyton, he was quite mediocre in the playoffs and had much to do with the fact they did not win more than a single championship.
And he owns the award for at least honorable mention for greatest baseball story ever for the thing with him and Mark Grace when they were both with the cubs. That is a classic.
