Agreed!

Any thoughts on the adjustment Glavine made midseason last year, and the remarkable numbers he's posted since?

I think you might also look at Pedro Martinez for further validation of your point. He has not been a power pitcher for a few years now, also working in the mid 80s. Only occasionally does he hit even 90 on the gun, but with impeccable control and a dazzling variety of stuff and speeds, he is both effective and entertaining.

Re Glavine...

Here is what I wrote in Opening Day Notes more than a month ago:

Tom Glavine (6-6-1-1-3-5, 1-0) began 2006 in the same manner he finished 2005. Few people realize that the two-time Cy Young Award winner had the third-lowest ERA in the majors in the second half last year. He is pitching inside and throwing his curve more than ever.

Since 6/25/05, Glavine is 13-8 with a 2.35 ERA.

   IP    H   R  ER  HR  BB   SO 
172.1  149  49  45   7  41  104 

Including his final start in 2005, Glavine has struck out 8.5 batters per nine innings (52 Ks in 55 1/3 IP).

Earlier this year a healthy Rich Harden demonstrated what power and changing speeds can do. Facing the Yankees in the 1st with runners on second and third with no one out, he struck out, in succession, Derek (sp?) Jeter--92 mph splitter; Gary Sheffield --87 mph change; and Jason Giambi, 99 mph riding fastball down the middle. Anyone who throws an 87 mph changeup and can paint the corners, as Harden can, promises to be a great pitcher for years--if he can stay healthy.

With respect to Pedro, yes, I think it is fair to include him in this discussion. He has made a gradual transition over the years from power to finesse pitcher. Like Glavine, Maddux, and Webb, Martinez throws strikes while changes speeds and locations. The foursome ranks 1st, 5th, 2nd, and 9th, respectively, in NL ERA, and they all have excellent K/BB ratios.

Glavine, Maddux, and Webb are also doing a great job at keeping the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. Martinez, on the other hand, has a 0.62 G/F ratio (the lowest among qualifiers in the NL) and has allowed six HR in the early going.

Any thoughts on the next Maddux or Glavine? My pick for the next Maddux is Kevin Slowey, who's pitching exceptionally well for the FSL Fort Myers Miracle.

I think praising Glavine for pitching inside is a little weird. He started doing it a bit last year and has continued this year, along with throwing more curves than he used to throw. But the guy lived on the that 1990's 24 inch wide plate outside corner strike. I still remember a game back in 1993, I think, between the Giants and Braves. Glavine pitched for the Braves. Every single Giant righty stood on top of the plate and closed his stance. They were all pinging liners to right center. It was beautiful to watch. And it worked because Glavine simply hated to go inside. He wanted to throw that Eric Gregg quality outside strike.
Just one fan's opinion.

i dont have much to add but good stuff as always.

Any thoughts on the next Maddux or Glavine?

There may never be another Maddux. However, the closest thing to him among major leaguers is probably Webb. If you're looking for someone else who profiles like Maddux, how 'bout Dave Bush? A poor man's Maddux, to be sure, but I have been impressed with his ability to throw strikes while keeping batters off balance by changing speeds and locations.

You did a helluva job jinxing Maddux tonight!

I think it should also be pointed out there's a difference between pitchers like Maddux/Webb/Pedro and guys like Josh Towers and Carlos Silva. Yes, the latter throw tons of strikes and don't feature anything overly powerful, but they also don't miss many bats and lack an out pitch. Hence the reason why both are getting shelled this year.

I don't think Rich Harden is a good example of what "changing speeds" can do for a pitcher. He can just more or less blow people away. Ben Sheets can hit 97 and then with nearly the same arm action throw a 73 mph curveball. That's not "a crafty guy changing speeds" that "some stud making people look bad because he has beacoup stuff."