Loading... Please wait...

Can you recognize this pattern? Bako, Bako, Blanco, Blanco, Bako, Blanco

Posted by

February 23, 2005

The recent acquisition of catcher Henry Blanco by the Chicago Cubs allows pitcher Greg Maddux to team up once again with one of his two personal "caddies" that he's had over the last five years. Blanco and Paul Bako (now with the Dodgers) have caught most of Maddux's starts since 2000, despite being sub-par offensive performers relative to the regular catchers on the Braves and Cubs during that span (Javy Lopez and Michael Barrett).

Personal caddies for Greg Maddux by year:
  • 2000 Braves - Paul Bako
  • 2001 Braves - Bako
  • 2002 Braves - Henry Blanco
  • 2003 Braves - Blanco
  • 2004 Cubs - Bako
  • 2005 Cubs - Blanco
Interestingly, Henry Blanco has led his league or come in second every season in the last six years in highest percentage of runners caught stealing . . . except for the two years he was Maddux's catcher. Greg Maddux's inability to hold runners is the one flaw in his game and even Henry Blanco hasn't been able to make a difference.


Sign up to our newsletter

Recent Updates