ChopTime
07-19-2009, 03:58 PM
Sorry if this has been posted somewhere else, I didn't see it.
Braves manager Bobby Cox has said that he'd like to have Greg Maddux serve as a special instructor during Spring Training and it appears the four-time Cy Young Award winner is interested in the possibility of spending at least a week or two in this role.
"I would 100 percent think about it, absolutely," said Maddux, who played for Cox in Atlanta from 1993-2003.
After ending his 23-season Major League career with his retirement in December, Maddux opted to spend a week this year serving as a special Spring Training instructor for the Padres, who had utilized him in their starting rotation during the 2007 and '08 seasons.
"It was pretty easy for me to get to Arizona," Maddux said. "I played with that team the last two years so I knew all the players. It was more of a fun thing than an actual coaching experience. Having an opportunity to sit back with the coaches and hear what they say about the players, it was something I enjoyed."
This Spring Training assignment with the Padres provided Maddux the opportunity to remain close to his Las Vegas home. But Cox remains hopeful that he'll be able to lure the legendary hurler to Florida for a few weeks to benefit the Braves pitchers with his great intellect.
"We'd love to have him," Cox said. "He's welcome any time."
While Maddux hasn't completely closed the door on the possibility of accepting a full-time coaching role in the future, it seems he's currently more interested in spending time with his wife and two children.
Along with watching his 12-year-old son, Chase, play baseball, Maddux has enjoyed the regular father-son outings that they've regularly shared on the golf course.
"I don't miss (playing) as much as I thought I would, which is a good thing," Maddux said. "I'm enjoying being home. It does feel like it's still the offseason. I still consider myself a baseball player, but it's the offseason still. I'm enjoying going to my kids' games and playing catch-up."
Cox was certainly moved on Friday, when the Braves inducted Maddux into their Hall of Fame and then retired his No. 31 jersey. The 11-0 win his club claimed over the Mets only brightened a day the 68-year-old manager will seemingly never forget.
"I'd have to say that was one of the best days I've ever experienced in baseball," Cox said.
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/07/maddux_open_to_helping_braves.html
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Sure would be nice to eventually get Maddux on the coaching staff full time.
Braves manager Bobby Cox has said that he'd like to have Greg Maddux serve as a special instructor during Spring Training and it appears the four-time Cy Young Award winner is interested in the possibility of spending at least a week or two in this role.
"I would 100 percent think about it, absolutely," said Maddux, who played for Cox in Atlanta from 1993-2003.
After ending his 23-season Major League career with his retirement in December, Maddux opted to spend a week this year serving as a special Spring Training instructor for the Padres, who had utilized him in their starting rotation during the 2007 and '08 seasons.
"It was pretty easy for me to get to Arizona," Maddux said. "I played with that team the last two years so I knew all the players. It was more of a fun thing than an actual coaching experience. Having an opportunity to sit back with the coaches and hear what they say about the players, it was something I enjoyed."
This Spring Training assignment with the Padres provided Maddux the opportunity to remain close to his Las Vegas home. But Cox remains hopeful that he'll be able to lure the legendary hurler to Florida for a few weeks to benefit the Braves pitchers with his great intellect.
"We'd love to have him," Cox said. "He's welcome any time."
While Maddux hasn't completely closed the door on the possibility of accepting a full-time coaching role in the future, it seems he's currently more interested in spending time with his wife and two children.
Along with watching his 12-year-old son, Chase, play baseball, Maddux has enjoyed the regular father-son outings that they've regularly shared on the golf course.
"I don't miss (playing) as much as I thought I would, which is a good thing," Maddux said. "I'm enjoying being home. It does feel like it's still the offseason. I still consider myself a baseball player, but it's the offseason still. I'm enjoying going to my kids' games and playing catch-up."
Cox was certainly moved on Friday, when the Braves inducted Maddux into their Hall of Fame and then retired his No. 31 jersey. The 11-0 win his club claimed over the Mets only brightened a day the 68-year-old manager will seemingly never forget.
"I'd have to say that was one of the best days I've ever experienced in baseball," Cox said.
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/07/maddux_open_to_helping_braves.html
------------------------
Sure would be nice to eventually get Maddux on the coaching staff full time.