and I was GRATEFUL the Dodgers were too
messed up to make an offer. I don't
see any reason to be "bummed out". Maddux
was always clear that he wanted to check out
his options. Frankly Hendry going after him
was the surprise.Hendry played it perfectly by
just basicaly saying here is our offer and it
is open for as long as it takes you decide
No deadline no pressure and NO PUBLIC discussion
beyond that an offer was on the table.
In the end Hendry and I think McPhail went to
his home in Vegas the weekend before ST started
to make a last minute pitch, trying to basically
convince him that the Cubs were going to do
everything possible to get a winning team
The only other serious offer came from the
Giants and NED COLLETTI but they would only'
offer two years and Boras asked for the 3rd
year option which Hendry agreed to.

The heartbreaking part of this for me is
that both times Maddux left the key reason
was the Cubs inability to provide a competing
team. This time was more bad luck and no hard
feelings but it still hurts.

I'm just grateful that I got to see one of the best pitchers ever play for my favorite team not once but twice during his career. I'm even more grateful for the fact that he's been in the NL and I got to see him pitch in person at Atl vs. Astros games and, later, at Wrigley hurling for the Cubbies.

Not to knock Maddux because ultimately I am glad he came here, whatever the motivation.

But, yeah, read between the lines and its obvious Maddux only came here as a last resort, not out of any desire to "return home" or end any curses, or create some kind of fairy tale ending.

He just wanted to win, and preferrably out West.

Why this really upsets me is because it solidifies the reality that Maddux isn't going to resign back here if he can help it.

Again, not to knock Maddux--he's gotta do what he's gotta do.  But for a Cubs fan, the reality of this whole second coming era is very heart-breaking to me.

That's kinda like being taken to the prom with the hottest girl in school just bc her first choice was too sick to go.

 At the prom with the hottest girl. It really doesn't matter how or why.

  Met fans were upset for maybe a day when they found out Carlos Beltran went to the Yankees and said he'd sign for less and only went to the Mets when the Yankees refused.  Then the next day it was "Hey, WE GOT CARLOS BELTRAN" and that's really all that matters.

Colossus was right and Al was wrong!

he once was. I shed no tears. He had a great April because many still thought he had a fast ball.
He doesn't. Give him credit, though -  through experience & guile, he was able to have some success -- and his record would be better, had he been provided more offense. However, that doesn't hide the fact it took a month for word to get around for batters to sit on his the fastball, and just be patient, for you'd eventually get something to hit.  
His control wasn't as good any more. His off-speed pitches, out of the strike zone -- were taken. He normally got guys out on those "non-strikes." Not any more.
He'd have to try to get a strike with a 89mph fast ball...and Al would have to duck out in the LF bleachers. He's a HOF pitcher who should have NOT come back this year. He'll be of little help to the Dodgers. I hope he retires before he looks foolish.

Frankly he would gladly have stayed in
Atlanta and I he wanted to at least
try to get an offer from the Dodgers but the Cubs
were not some desperate last resort.
You have to remember that by his own choice
Maddux eliminated roughly 2/3rds of potentional
teams in 04 which I am sure did not make "poor"
Boras' job any easier. He wasn't going to
the AL, and other then the Braves he wasn't
staying East and he wanted to play with a
contender. Sadly the biggest mistake the smartest
guy in baseball probably ever made was believing
the Cubs would be contenders though it was not
an unreasonable view 03 off season
On the one hand Maddux is not sentimental
to the degree that he would have signed with
the Cubs if he had not believed they could
contend on the other hand if you watched
the press conference after he signed, he
was as emotional as I have ever seen him.

I will be eternally grateful for getting to
watch him for the last 2 2/3rds seasons as
a Cub