Milestone moment becomes a family affair

Monday, Aug. 9, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Neither his father nor his son needed many words at SBC Park late Saturday afternoon to sum up their feelings about Greg Maddux winning his 300th career game.

"Oh, I was nervous, nervous, nervous, nervous, nervous, nervous," said Dave Maddux, retired Air Force.

Chase Maddux, 7, answered with bright eyes and a high pitch when asked what he likes best about watching has father throw a baseball.

"Because he wins!" said Chase, taking a quick breather from zipping around the SBC visitors' clubhouse.

Kathy Maddux, who dined on hamburgers at the Mexican restaurant Macayo with her soon-to-be boyfriend and eventual husband on their first date when both attended Valley High, was elated when Sammy Sosa nabbed the game's final out.

"I was surprised at how I felt when that last out was made because I just ... it's just, I don't know," she said. "It just didn't hit me until that final out was made, and it was really special and exciting. I just couldn't believe it.

"I just thought, 'Gosh.' Looking back, who would have ever thought that this could be our life. It's so wonderful and exciting. A fairy tale."

A contingent of more than half a dozen Madduxes and other friends celebrated his monumental achievement Saturday night, and he stopped in the Chicago Cubs' clubhouse Sunday afternoon to flash a coy smile.

"Yeah, we had a real good night," said Maddux, still getting accustomed to inking "300" below his autograph.

Scott Boras sort of saw it coming 20 years ago, when Maddux got into some trouble in a Valley game.

"Here was this skinny kid, the wind was blowing (out) and he had the bases loaded, and he threw nine consecutive strikes," Boras said. "He had that late movement, and he struck the side out. And I remember the first words he said to me.

"I walked into his home after that game and said, 'I want to represent you.' He said, 'Why would a guy like me need a representative?' So modesty began at 17."

Boras, the only agent Maddux has employed in his storied career, sat 20 or so rows behind home plate Saturday.

The Cubs drafted Maddux out of Valley in 1984, in the second round. After the '92 season, Maddux left for Atlanta. Last spring, Maddux returned to the Cubs for a potential three-year deal worth $24 million.

"It was clearly the right thing to do," Boras said.

It was Kathy, however, who toiled with Greg those first few professional years, in Pikeville, Peoria, Pittsfield and Iowa.

She said she must have watched him on the mound at Valley, but she recalls no details.

"I don't think I actually watched the games then," Kathy said.

That the two have remained together for so long, in an industry that makes them an exception, says plenty about both.

"We both come from a solid background, and we're both family people," Kathy said. "We like the same things, and we're not into the hoopla or going out and partying. We're just as content going to a fun town, and ordering room service and watching a movie together. We just have the same likes and dislikes."

Include Chicago in the former category. She called Greg becoming the 22nd pitcher to win 300 games, while wearing a Cubs uniform, "awesome."

"It was very exciting when Greg was drafted by the Cubs and we were coming up through their minor leagues," Kathy said. "We have always loved Chicago. Always."

Exasperated relief described Dave Maddux late Saturday afternoon. He would have relished his youngest son hitting 300 in Chicago, last Sunday.

"But San Francisco is a great place and we got it here," Dave said, "that's all that matters. We got it and now it's over. Now we go for 15 wins."

Maddux improved to 11-7 with the victory Saturday, and with four more he can extend his current major league record of at least 15 wins in 16 consecutive seasons.

"I think keeping that streak going is very important to him," Dave said. "I don't know. I'm speaking for myself, but I think it's important. It's important for me."