When Maddux was at his best as a pitcher...he appeared on the then popular sports show
"Up Close", with Roy Firestone. Here is how the interview went, at one point:
Firestone: "If you had to pay to watch one pitcher today other than yourself...who would that pitcher be?"
Maddux: "Randy Johnson."
Firestone: "Why Randy Johnson?"
Maddux: "Because I think he is the most dominating pitcher in the game today. People think that Johnson is just a 'thrower', but take it from me...he is an awesome
pitcher, period!"
Firestone: "Is he a better pitcher than you?"
Maddux: "Well..."
Firestone: "Randy Johnson is a better pitcher than YOU?"
Maddux: "Well...let me put it this way. If you asked the 10 best hitters in baseball whom they'd rather face, me or Randy Johnson...I bet that I'd get all 10 votes".
When Greatness and Humility meet in the same person...it's a sight to behold.
