SURPRISE, Ariz. — It was simply previous 7 a.m. on a current Saturday, and the day forward was tightly scheduled. However earlier than they received to conferences, bullpens, pitchers fielding observe, a Cactus League recreation towards Kansas Metropolis and the day’s assorted jokes that preserve issues crisp, the Maddux brothers sat collectively in a room on the Texas Rangers’ advanced right here, momentarily pausing to think about the jargon of their craft.
Mike Maddux, 61, is again for his second stint as pitching coach with the Rangers after having served in that capability from 2009 to 2015. His brother, Greg Maddux, 56, has joined him as a particular teacher for 3 weeks, offering a depth of information that may come solely from a Corridor of Famer who owns 4 Cy Younger awards and 18 Gold Gloves.
Greg, who retired in 2008, is taken into account among the many most cerebral gamers in baseball historical past — whether or not he thinks so or not — however he had some catching as much as do on trendy terminology.
“Pistol. I needed to study what a pistol is,” Greg stated together with his trademark smile that curls right into a half-grin, half-smirk.
What it’s, he’s found, is what he knew in his day as “excessive cheese.”
“I stated, ‘Oh, that’s a excessive fastball now?’” he stated, nodding thoughtfully. “Pistol.”
A franchise that in Mike’s first flip as pitching coach reached the World Sequence in back-to-back seasons is pushing onerous to recapture what as soon as was. The Rangers haven’t had a successful report since 2016, however they spent $581 million without cost brokers, together with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, earlier than the 2022 season, then one other $244 million final winter for 3 beginning pitchers: Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney.
They put in the previous pitcher Chris Younger to run their baseball operations division, employed the three-time World Sequence-winning supervisor Bruce Bochy and introduced again Mike Maddux.
Shortly after taking the job, Mike invited his brother to assist with spring coaching. Then Greg performed in a celeb golf match in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in December with Bochy and others, and the brand new supervisor joined in on the recruiting. By the point the thought went up the chain to Younger, who pitched in the identical Padres rotation as Greg in 2007 and 2008 and calls him certainly one of his all-time favourite teammates, it was a full-court press.
“Greg, in a number of methods, was my greatest pitching coach, and he was a teammate,” Younger stated. “He’s somebody I’ve at all times revered. I believe he’s a genius in the best way he’s in a position to clarify pitching and simplify the sport. And to have someone like him round was a no brainer.”
Collectively, the Madduxes are in sync from their pitching philosophies all the best way to their bawdy humor.
“They’re twisted,” Bochy stated, chuckling. “I assumed Greg was extra twisted, however Mike is correct there. They’ve received some nice one-liners. There are a number of laughs.”
Stroll by a pitchers assembly earlier than exercises, and also you may suppose a standup comic is serving as a visitor teacher. Between the seams, they be certain every session ends with a joke — volunteers welcome.
“Everyone thinks we’re simply yukking it up as a result of all people is laughing,” Mike stated. “However we’re studying whereas we’re laughing.”
“You attempt to make stuff enjoyable,” Greg stated. “Taking floor balls may be enjoyable. You possibly can chortle and have an excellent time when you’re doing it. On the identical time, work to get higher. Observe is enjoyable. So that you try to make it enjoyable, proper?”
It goes a great distance towards holding the pitchers engaged. Not solely did the Rangers workers rank within the backside third in lots of key classes in 2022, however their fielding was sloppy, too. Greg, who gained extra Gold Gloves than any participant at any place, may be discovered every day splitting his time on the half-field, working with pitchers on their fielding, and within the bullpen as they throw.
“Two issues,” Mike stated. “We’re very like-minded, and —”
“Now we have the identical fundamentals, just about,” Greg interrupted.
“Second factor,” Mike continued. “All of us wish to hear what Greg has to say.”
Ian Kennedy, a 16-year veteran, has worn No. 31 most of his profession as a tribute to Greg. Jon Grey, projected because the Rangers’ No. 3 starter, stated simply noticing Greg watching as he threw within the bullpen was a thrill.
“His insights,” Grey stated. “He believes in fielding your place. Controlling the operating recreation. Understanding the place you’re at on the sector — there at all times is a spot to be. Taking a number of pleasure in outs. He undoubtedly is aware of learn how to expose weaknesses. Each swing has a weak spot.”
By stops in Milwaukee, Texas, St. Louis and Washington earlier than the Rangers once more, Mike has at all times preached a mantra of commanding the fastball and altering speeds. The brothers are in lock step as they unfold that gospel.
“100%,” Greg stated. “It’s a must to do two issues to pitch. Command your fastball and alter speeds. No matter pitcher does it one of the best that day goes to win.
“It’s not a velocity contest. It’s a pitching contest.”
Regardless of his popularity, Greg stays uncomfortable with the phrase “cerebral.” Others have been smarter, he protested, he simply labored tougher at fundamentals. Teaching for under half the spring is hard, “however hopefully you say the suitable issues and assist guys with their strengths, and hopefully they perceive their strengths and pitch accordingly,” he stated.
Whereas some gamers who retired 15 years in the past could not resonate right now, Mike figures Greg does as a result of his 23 years within the majors crossed a number of generations. From his personal expertise, Greg figures what he has to say will discover a minimum of just a few prepared ears.
“I at all times favored when Phil Niekro and Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain would present up, ?” Greg stated. “After I was a younger participant, I at all times loved listening to what they needed to say.”
The brothers differ in how heat they’re to these round them — in his time teaching the College of Nevada, Las Vegas, Greg eschewed his brother’s fatherly behavior of placing a hand on a pitcher’s shoulder whereas speaking with him — however they discover frequent floor when speaking pitch form and pitch design. They examine the newest information and metrics whereas tailoring their work to people. “However we dumb it down as greatest we are able to,” Mike stated.
“The last word query is, the place is that pitch going?” he continued. “That’s the place we are available in and say, nicely, yeah, I’d take much less form in a great spot than all this huge form and ball one. I’ve received to command the baseball. Location is at all times going to win.”
Terminology adjustments. The fundamentals don’t.
“I’m all for studying learn how to throw pitches higher,” Greg stated. “I’m all in on that. I believe that’s an incredible factor. And if you should utilize the lab to make your curveball curve extra or your slider break later or no matter you are able to do that can assist you throw higher pitches, I’m all in on it.
“However when you step on that mound, it’s all about pitching.”
Excessive cheese or pistol, it doesn’t matter what the pitch is named so long as it reaches its meant location.
“I wish to hear some string cheese being thrown round throughout video games, too,” Greg stated, grinning, of a well-located, low fastball.
The brothers transfer alongside to two-pitch sequencing with the verve of schoolmates, eagerly evaluating developments in phrases. A “fishhook” is a slider adopted by a curve.
“What’s a fastball-changeup?” Greg requested.
“Velocity dial,” Mike replied.
“I wish to see the double-tap get away slightly extra,” Greg provided, and Mike agreed that might be an excellent factor.
Double-tap?
“Again-to-back down-and-away, normally strike one, strike two,” Mike stated. “If it labored for strike one, it’ll work for strike two. Take it as soon as; take it once more.”
Foolish stuff. Enjoyable stuff. Essential stuff.
And because the Rangers put together for the grind up forward, this additional household time is a bonus.
“Discuss ball,” Greg stated. “Play golf.”
“Act like youngsters,” Mike agreed. “Ain’t no completely different than after we have been 15 and 10.”
“Yeah, there’s no guidelines,” Greg stated. “You don’t need to develop up.”