On November 13, 1995, Major League Baseball watched as Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux officially transcended pitching greatness, winning the National League Cy Young Award for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time (1992–1995).
This achievement, which had never been done before in MLB history (and has only been matched once since, by Randy Johnson), cemented “The Professor” as the most dominant pitcher of his generation, proving that finesse, command, and guile could triumph over overpowering strength.
The Record-Breaking Year
Maddux (the main character in this historical moment) accomplished the feat in 1995, a season shortened by the previous year’s strike, but one in which he was practically untouchable. The numbers from his final consecutive Cy Young season are astonishing, especially when compared to the league average:
| 1995 Season Statistics | Historical Significance |
| 19–2 Win-Loss Record | Maddux’s .905 winning percentage was the highest in history for a pitcher with 20+ decisions. |
| 1.63 Earned Run Average (ERA) | Led the NL for the third straight year. The league average ERA in 1995 was 4.23. |
| 0.81 WHIP | Showed his legendary control, allowing far fewer than one baserunner per inning. |
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Maddux’s 1.63 ERA followed his 1.57 ERA in the strike-shortened 1994 season, making him the first pitcher since Walter Johnson in 1918–1919 to post an ERA under 1.80 in consecutive seasons.
No Triple-Digit Fastball, Just Perfection
What made Maddux’s run so remarkable was his distinct lack of the triple-digit fastball that defined other aces. Instead, he relied on an almost telepathic understanding of hitters:
- Command: He consistently hit his spots, famously able to “throw a ball in a teacup,” according to his peers. His propensity for throwing strikes kept his pitch counts low, leading to numerous legendary complete games under 90 pitches.
- Guile: Maddux was an intense student of the game, known for studying hitters’ weaknesses and body language, often making it seem as if he “saw into the future” of their swings.
- Movement: His late-moving sinker (two-seam fastball) combined with an excellent circle changeup and unparalleled control to produce ground balls at an elite rate, minimizing baserunners and home runs.
His four straight Cy Youngs solidified his transition from a promising Chicago Cub to an Atlanta Braves immortal, securing his spot in the Hall of Fame and forever changing the definition of pitching dominance.
Maddux’s 1995 season culminated in the Braves winning the World Series. Would you like to check the latest buzz regarding the Braves’ current biggest need—signing closer Robert Suarez—to help them win another championship?
