July 26, 2005: Greg Maddux of the Chicago Cubs becomes the 13th member of the 3,000-strikeout club in a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.
Entering the game, Maddux needed two strikeouts to reach 3,000. After a three-hour rain delay, Maddux struck out Omar Vizquel looking to end the third inning to hit 3,000. He received a standing ovation by the fans at Wrigley, as well as his teammates, as he walked off the mound.
Never considered a strikeout pitcher due to the lack of a powerful fastball like fellow club members Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan, Maddux had a road to 3,000 that was a slow yet steady. Maddux played the majority of his 23-year career with the Cubs (two stints) and Atlanta Braves.
He is the only player in MLB history to win at least 15 games in 17 consecutive seasons. Maddux's consistent run as one of the league's best control pitchers is backed up by his 18 Gold Glove awards, as well as his four straight Cy Young awards (1992-95). In that incredible four-year stretch, Maddux had a 75-29 record, with an ERA of 1.98.
Here is a video of Maddux's 3,000th strikeout:
Maddux also became the ninth pitcher to have both 3,000 strikeouts and 300 wins.
Maddux's 13-15 record in 2005 was his first losing season since 1987, and it also ended his 17-year stretch of having at least 15 wins. His impressive resume features: eight All-Star appearances, 18 Gold Glove Awards, 4 NL Cy Young Awards, and a World Series xhampionship with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. He retired after the 2008 season, ending with 3,371 strikeouts.
Maddux was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2014 in his first year of eligibility with 97.2 percent of the vote.
