Maddux was traded to the Dodgers. You know that. I don’t have much to add, especially since we don’t know who’s coming back. So, just for fun, I thought we’d take a quick look at Maddux’s career. With help from Baseball Reference, here’s Maddux’s RAR (runs above replacement)* year by year:

(click for larger image …)

Here’s a little “chart” with that same data:

1986: -2.4
1987: -8.8
1988: 32.5
1989: 42
1990: 38.5
1991: 37.8
1992: 64.1
1993: 74.2
1994: 78.7
1995: 81.4
1996: 69.4
1997: 72.5
1998: 77
1999: 44
2000: 70
2001: 59.3
2002: 52.5
2003: 28.8
2004: 29.8
2005: 26
2006: 30.2
2007: 15.6
2008: 11.8

Note to self: Need to learn how to format pictures and make charts in wordpress …

*This is a very simple version of runs above replacement. I’m simply taking the league average ERA (park adjusted, by bref) and multiplying it by 1.20. I used to add 1 to the league average ERA, but at some point, I came to my senses and realized that was not a good way to do it. So what we’re saying here is that replacement level is 20% worse than average. Certainly not the best or most detailed way to do it, but good enough for a little glimpse at Maddux’s career.

Here’s one more graph for ya:

That’s strikeouts, walks, and homers per batter faced. Obviously, along with formatting pictures and making charts, I need to learn something about graph design. A small difference in hr/bf, or any of those stats, can have a large impact on home runs, and that graph probably distorts that. But, anyway, you get the point.

Before getting too into my computer deficiencies, let’s not forget the point here. Maddux was a great pitcher. He wasn’t great as a Padre, merely average, but overall he’s an all time great, without much of a doubt. Every groundball pitcher who succeeds without super overpowering stuff* (in the minors, for couple of years in the majors, hell, for a start or two even …)is going to get compared to Maddux, and probably 99.9% of them aren’t going to come close to him.

*I realize his stuff was pretty overpowering back in the day, and I’m not sure what “overpowering” even means.**

**My use of asterisks is not endorsed by Joe Posnanski.