I enjoyed listening to this…two of the best of their time breaking down an at bat.
What I appreciate most is Maddux’s databank of mistakes and successes, and how he brushes it off but vows to never do it again, while Bonds had the confidence of his talents to know exactly what’s going to happen if Greg came inside again. And it did.
So for today’s Roundtable…if you had the chance to hear two guys – two coaches, two competitors, two generals, whatever – break down a classic battle or competition, who would it be and what play or action would you want to hear them dissect.
Personally, non-sports related, I would love to hear Patton and Rommel break down their actions and decision making in World War II. Granted, there’s plenty of literature on it, but to hear an interview in this format would be interesting. On a sports level, I enjoyed a series they did on Bird versus Magic that was highly entertaining and informative, and I’ve wondered for a long time what the locker room was like to hear a breakdown of Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt and what happened there.
What about you?
Sports, but non-college football would be Jurgen Klopp and Valverde breaking down the 2019 Champions League Semi-final. Barcelona lead 3-0 after the first leg in Spain. Back at Anfield, Liverpool won 4-0 to advance to the final 4-3 without Mo Salah or Roberto Firmino in their attacking three up front.
Georgia related Kirby and Saban breaking down the 2021 SECCG and the National Title rematch would be great to hear.
Dooley and Charley Pell breaking down the 1980 Cocktail Party with Larry Munson moderating.
Lee v. Meade at Gettysburg.
Smart v. Saban at Indianapolis
Sorta joke answer: Sonny Dykes and Jim Harbaugh talking about how TCU figured out Michigan was stealing signs in 2022 and managed to win a semifinal they had no business winning by fooling them just enough to win in OT.
Real sports answer: Tom Osborne and Howard Schnellenberger talking through the 1984 Orange Bowl, particularly the two point conversion attempt.
History answer: Scipio Africanus and Hannibal walking through the entire Second Punic War.
I’d love to hear Trump and Hegseth discussing their plans for the war with Iran. I think it would be fascinating.
Maddox= Best PITCHER ever!
Bonds was a great hitter and was an easy 1st ballot HOF in my opinion before he hit the juice. I lost all respect for him afterwards, and I still consider Hank Aaron the true home run champion.
Maddux was a master, and dominated Bonds later in their careers. Bonds hit him well early in their careers. Has anyone thrown a complete game in less than 100 pitches since Maddux? I looked it up and he had 13, next closest was 7. Max Fried is the active leader with 3.
“Hammerin’ Hank” will always be the true home run champ!
There is a lot to Hank Aaron that doesn’t get told enough. Home runs are great, but he also hit for average including doubles and triples stole enough bases get a pitchers attention, and most of all he played effectively for about 20 years!
Saban vs his former assistants.
UGA related – Donnan v Spurrier for the ’97 cocktail party.
Historical – Eisenhower v Rundstedt for the Battle of the Bulge.
Alejandro Pena vs Andy Van Slyke in one of the NLCS games. Pena had not thrown a breaking ball all season and dropped one that Van Slyke just missed all of to end a threat.
Mike Bobo and any random guy from section 134.
Evander Holyfield fought Riddick Bowe three times. They were some of the most brutal fights I have ever seen. Holyfield was not the most talented fighter ever, but he had more heart (and seemingly no fear) than any other. Bowe was a great fighter and won 2 of the 3. Not sure if they would make for great interviews, but I’d like to know their thoughts on those fights.
My mind went to boxing as well. I was thinking Hagler/Hearns. I’m not sure what they’d say outside of we spent 8 minutes of our lives trying to kill each other, but I’d love to hear it.
Podcast transcript:
Rommel: “ich bin eine fahrvergnugen…”
Patton: “Rommel, you magnificent ba$tard, I READ YOUR BOOK lol”
We’re gonna grab ya by the nose and kick ya in the ass!
Patton: will some sonofabitch find me the Kraut word for “hobnail boot”?
Sonofabitch Krauts wore hobnail boots!
This is one of my favorite stories about how Maddux thought long-term strategy:
https://youtu.be/s68apYwrPQE?si=-8SdsfE7d9SzTs1A
For me, it was Tony Gwynn vs Maddux. Gwynn just flat wore him out. Tony Gwynn had a batting average of .429 with 9 RBIs in 103 plate appearances against Greg Maddux in his career with ZERO strikeouts. Maddux had no reason to feel bad, because Pedro Martinez never struck him out either. Against Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz—four Hall of Fame pitchers who combined to strike out over 12,000 batters—Tony Gwynn struck out exactly three times in 329 plate appearances.
This led to a great interview with Maddux talking about what made him so successful as a pitcher.
“You just can’t do it [know how fast a pitch is traveling],” Maddux said. Sometimes hitters can pick up differences in spin. They can identify pitches if there are different release points or if a curveball starts with an upward hump or a slider is delivered with a shorter arm stroke. But if a pitcher can change speeds, every hitter is helpless, limited by human vision. Except for that [expletive] Tony Gwynn.”
That’s some serious respect.
Incredible!! Thanks for sharing.