100 Greatest Phillies: 26 – Garry Maddox
Outfielder
1975-1986
Career w/Phillies: .283 AVG / 85 HR / 566 RBI / 189 SB
Eight consecutive Gold Glove awards. Garry Maddox is one of the greatest defensive outfielders in baseball history. He won every one of those Gold Gloves with the Phillies, part of an illustrious 12-year career as the rock in center field. Lovingly called “The Secretary of Defense,” Maddox tracked down balls like a gazelle and thew out runners with a cannon arm, making it look easy every time. Acquired in a trade in 1975 from San Francisco, he made an immediate offensive impact, hitting .330 in 1976. He consistently delivered .280 averages or better throughout much of his Phillie career, hitting for little power (a career-high 14 home runs in 1977) and causing some havoc on the basepaths (a career-high 33 stolen bases in 1978). His many years patrolling center field took a toll, since by 1981 Maddox couldn’t quite hang onto an everyday role. He became an integral platoon bat with still tremendous defensive ability as his career wound down. Maddox retired in 1986 and became an announcer for Phillies baseball shortly after. He has since moved onto business, and is trying to help the Mashantucket Pequot tribe land a casino in Philadelphia.
Comment: An absolutely thrilling player with incredible defensive ability, Maddox was a cornerstone of the Phillies best years. Though he wasn’t a power hitter, he displayed unbelievable consistency at the plate for a few years. He hits No. 26 because his later years just didn’t stack up if he remained viable in his 30s, he could’ve easily been a top 20 entry.
