Greg Maddux Helps His Brother at Texas Rangers Spring Training

“But once you step on that mound, it’s all about pitching.”

High cheese or pistol, it doesn’t matter what the pitch is called as long as it reaches its intended location.

“I want to hear some string cheese being thrown around during games, too,” Greg said, grinning, of a well-located, low fastball.

The brothers move along to two-pitch sequencing with the verve of schoolmates, eagerly comparing developments in terms. A “fishhook” is a slider followed by a curve.

“What’s a fastball-changeup?” Greg asked.

“Speed dial,” Mike replied.

“I would like to see the double-tap break out a little more,” Greg offered, and Mike agreed that would be a good thing.

Double-tap?

“Back-to-back down-and-away, usually strike one, strike two,” Mike said. “If it worked for strike one, it’ll work for strike two. Take it once; take it again.”

Silly stuff. Fun stuff. Important stuff.

And as the Rangers prepare for the grind up ahead, this extra family time is a bonus.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/sports/baseball/greg-mike-maddux-rangers.html