It was on this day in 2005 that Greg Maddux became the thirteenth member of the 3000 strikeout club.  Maddux struckout Omar Vizquel in front of his home crowd at Wrigley Field.  However, the Cubs would go on to lose the game 3-2 to the Giants.

Greg Maddux enjoyed an incredible career that started in Chicago as a member of the Cubs.  After winning the Cy Young award in 1992, Maddux left Chicago via free agency and joined the Atlanta Braves.  He would go on to win the Cy Young his first three seasons with the Braves, becoming the first pitcher in history to win the award four consecutive times.  In addition to his four Cy Young’s, Maddux was an 18 time Gold Glove winner, 8 time all-star selection and a member of the 1995 World Series champion Atlanta Braves.

At 49 years old, Jamie Moyer is the active leader in strikeouts with 2,441.  Moyer will not reach 3000, and with the way the game has changed in recent years, one wonders if we will ever see another pitcher join the exclusive 3000 strikeout club.

Here is a clip of Maddux getting his jersey retired by the Braves.

Notable Birthdays

Joe Smith, NBA – Born July 26^th 1975 (age 37) in Norfolk, Virginia

Erik Westrum, NHL – Born July 26^th 1979 (age 33) in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Delonte West, NBA – Born July 26^th 1983 (age 29) in Washington D.C.