Greg Maddux on his new role with the Dodgers: ‘The goal is to make the players better’
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Greg Maddux, seen here golfing on Feb. 3, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz., joined the Dodgers’ front office.
Reporting from PHOENIX — Greg Maddux debuted as a member of the Dodgers front office on Wednesday. He wore a uniform and carried a fungo bat as he roamed the fields at Camelback Ranch. He will be here for the duration of the spring in his role as a special advisor to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
Maddux joined the organization after an inquiry from president Stan Kasten. The two men knew each other from their days together in Atlanta. Maddux spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career pitching for the Braves, where Kasten ran the front office.
Maddux said he will make himself available to the Dodgers who seek his insight.
“I’ll probably just say the same thing the other coaches have said to them the last five years or 10 years,” he said. “Maybe I’ll say it a little different. Who knows? But the goal is to make the players better.”
The job was similar to ones he held with the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, Maddux said. The Dodgers also hired Raul Ibanez, who retired after the 2014 season, as an advisor to Friedman.
Joining Maddux in uniform on Wednesday was guest instructor Eric Gagne, the team’s former closer and the winner of the 2003 National League Cy Young Award. Both watched as Clayton Kershaw threw his third bullpen session since camp opened last week.
Maddux played for the Dodgers when Kershaw debuted in 2008. Maddux was 42. Kershaw was 20. Maddux knew Kershaw had talent, but he could not predict his dominance.
The Dodgers’ Brett Anderson, right, talks with special advisor Greg Maddux during spring training on Wednesday.
“You never think anybody is going to be that good,” Maddux said. “I mean, you knew he was good and he was going to pitch for a long time.”
He added, “He’s been able to turn into a winner. I think a lot of guys have the stuff or the makeup. But not everybody’s a winner. He’s been able to win and stay healthy and win a lot.”
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