Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 | 8:04 p.m.
Greg Maddux had a big smile on his face at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Maddux, for possible cash and minor-league player considerations, from the San Diego Padres. A hole was created in the Dodgers' rotation when they had to put starter Brad Penny on the disabled list Thursday.
The Dodgers obtained Maddux from the Chicago Cubs for a similar late-season playoff push in 2006.
"It's nice to be back," Maddux said at a press conference at Dodger Stadium. "Last to first. It's pretty cool. One off day and I make up 16 games, so I'm excited.
"You never really want to leave your team and your teammates and all that, but it's nice to be back in a pennant race. It was fun playing in San Diego and I loved it there. But I'm looking forward to the last month and a half here."
In a statement, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said it's rare to add a pitcher of Maddux's stature once, let alone twice.
“He’s one of the greatest pitchers of all time," Colletti said, "and we’ve already seen what he can add to a team both on the field and in the clubhouse.”
Maddux cleared waivers earlier this month and waived a no-trade clause in his $10 million 2008 contract with the Padres only if he were dealt to a National League playoff team on the West Coast.
The Padres (48-76) are mired in the cellar of the NL West. At 64-60, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are tied atop the division. Maddux is 6-9, with a 3.99 earned-run average, this season.
"For me, it's kind of like the first day of spring training all over again," Maddux said. "I just want to learn my teammates and do what I can to be accepted, get in a routine as quick as possible and hopefully throw some good games for them.
"Hopefully, we'll get to the postseason and find out if it's a better team than two years ago. It's how you do in October that determines how good the team is."
A four-time Cy Young Award winner, Maddux, 42, lives in Spanish Trail with his wife and two children. The family also has a second home in Carlsbad, Calif., between San Diego and Los Angeles.
In 2006, the Valley High graduate went 6-3 for the Dodgers. He started Game 3 against the New York Mets in the NL Divisional Series, yielding four earned runs over four innings.
But Maddux didn't factor in the decision, as the Dodgers came back to take a lead only to lose the game in relief. The Mets won the best-of-five series in three games.
"It was great last time I was here, it was fun and it was exciting," he said. "I had a lot of good memories then, and I look forward to making some new ones."
Maddux is 353-223 in his storied 23-year career. He has won a baseball-record 17 Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess.
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