A Maddux is a complete game shutout thrown on fewer than 100 pitches. The term honors Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who was famous for efficient, pinpoint pitching, and it was coined by writer Jason Lukehart in 2012. Maddux himself is credited with 13 of them in the years pitch counts have been tracked, the most of anyone.
Term explained
The Maddux at a glance
Pitching’s efficiency milestone
Requirements
Complete game, no runs allowed, fewer than 100 pitchesAll three are needed
Named for
Greg MadduxFour time Cy Young Award winner
Coined by
Jason Lukehart, 2012
Maddux’s total
13The most since pitch counts were tracked
How rare today
A few per season at mostComplete games themselves have become rare
Key skill
Weak contact early in countsStrikeout pitchers usually need too many pitches
Maddux vs. Other Pitching Feats
| Feat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Complete game | Pitch the entire game |
| Shutout | Complete game with no runs allowed |
| Maddux | Shutout on fewer than 100 pitches |
| No hitter | No hits allowed in a complete game by one or more pitchers |
| Perfect game | No batter reaches base |
Why It Is So Hard
A nine inning shutout requires at least 27 outs, so a Maddux leaves room for fewer than four pitches per out. That rewards pitchers who pound the strike zone and get early contact, the opposite of today’s strikeout focused approach. For the broader stat, see what is a complete game.
Related
What is a complete game · No hitter vs. perfect game · Baseball slang glossary
Definition cross checked with the MLB.com glossary.