Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Greg Maddux made an appearance during Wednesday’s Albuquerque Isotopes game at Isotopes Park.
An eight-time All-Star, Maddux played on four MLB teams from 1986 to 2008, including two stints with the Chicago Cubs and one glorious stint with the Atlanta Braves. He won four straight National League Cy Young Awards between 1992 and 1995, along with a World Series title with the 1995 Braves. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
The ‘Topes went on to hammer the Salt Lake Bees, 20-8.
Photo descriptions are listed below, starting with the first one on the screen:
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- It just doesn’t seem like an Isotopes ballgame if Orbit isn’t there to entertain and meet young fans.
- Isotopes Manager Warren Schaeffer signs autographs for Little League players before the game.
- Hy Tillery, left, tells Greg Maddux about meeting Maddux’s father when he’d been dealing poker in a Las Vegas casino, trying to keep his eyes on TVs as both his sons, Greg and Mike, were pitching that night.
- Colorado Rockies prospect Elehuris Montero signs for some fans before the game.
- “Gimme 5, kid,” Orbit might be saying – if he talked.
- An Isotopes player stretches before the game.
- Sean Bouchard, who later hit two home runs in the Isotopes’ 20-8 victory, signs for a fan.
- Orbit watches hall of fame pitcher Greg Maddux toss the ceremonial first pitch … a strike, of course.
- The Salt Lake City skipper gets a laugh out of something ‘Topes manager Warren Schaffer has to say as they meet with the umpiring crew before the game.
- Little Leaguers get to stand with the Isotopes on the field as Hy Tillery sings the national anthem. Hy’s the father of former Rio Rancho and Cleveland high school teacher and coach Jim Tillery.
- Isotopes starting pitcher Austin Goudeau delivers a first-inning pitch, when the Bees grabbed a 3-0 lead.
- A first-inning stolen base by the Bees, who had a 6-1 lead when the Isotopes came to bat in the third.
- It may be “Miller Time,” but it wasn’t time for this outfielder to catch Ryan Vilade’s first HR of the season in the first inning.
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Photos by Rio Rancho Observer Sports Editor Gary Herron.