Editorial: An extraordinary feat

Thursday, July 28, 2005 | 9:34 a.m.

Las Vegan Greg Maddux, who plays for the Chicago Cubs, achieved a remarkable pitching milestone on Tuesday. Maddux became just the 13th pitcher in major league history to strike out at least 3,000 batters. As if that weren't impressive enough, Maddux, who had 313 wins entering Tuesday's game against the San Francisco Giants, joined an even more exclusive club. He became just the ninth pitcher ever to have at least 3,000 career strikeouts and 300 victories. Some of the other legendary pitchers who have accomplished these dual feats include Walter Johnson, Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens.

Maddux, who won four straight Cy Young Awards in the 1990s, has been equally impressive for how he has carried himself throughout his career -- he has been a true sportsman. He is an intense competitor, but he doesn't showboat and doesn't engage in trash-talking like so many other professional athletes today. Maddux simply goes out and does his job. We wish more kids would emulate Maddux, a terrific role model.

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