Greg Maddux Cy Young Awards
The Professor's unprecedented four-year reign of pitching perfection in Atlanta.
Greg Maddux's four consecutive Cy Young Awards stand as one of the most dominant stretches in Major League Baseball history, cementing his legacy as the ultimate control artist for the Atlanta Braves.
- Player
- Greg Maddux
- Team
- Atlanta Braves
- Award
- NL Cy Young Award
- Signature Style
- Control and Deception
- Status
- Retired Legend
Lore & Background
The significance of these four awards cannot be overstated; they represented a period where Maddux was not just the best pitcher in the National League, but arguably the greatest active player on the planet. His dominance provided the stability that allowed the Braves to build their twenty-year playoff streak. The consistency he displayed year after year set a standard for durability and excellence that remains unmatched in the modern era of baseball.
In Their Own Story
The humidity hangs heavy over Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium as the ninth inning approaches. Greg Maddux stands on the mound, towel draped over his shoulder, eyes scanning the batter's box with an intensity that belies his calm demeanor. He doesn't need to throw a hundred miles per hour; he simply needs to place one pitch perfectly inside. The crowd holds its breath, knowing that another strikeout is just a matter of time as 'The Professor' executes his master plan.
Reader's Guide
The 1993 season saw him continue his dominance with a 19-8 record and another league-best 1.56 ERA, defeating fellow Braves teammate Tom Glavine in the voting to secure back-to-back honors. In the strike-shortened 1994 campaign, Maddux was virtually untouchable, posting a microscopic 1.27 ERA over 20 starts, earning his third consecutive award and proving his consistency regardless of season length. He capped this historic run in 1995 with a 19-6 record and a 1.63 ERA, becoming the first pitcher since Don Sutton to win four consecutive Cy Young Awards, solidifying his place as the gold standard for pitching excellence.
Did You Know?
- Maddux is one of only two pitchers in history to win four or more consecutive Cy Young Awards.
- He won all four of these awards while playing for the Atlanta Braves.
- During this four-year span, Maddux never finished lower than second in ERA in the National League.
- His 1994 season featured a record-low WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) that highlighted his supreme control.