Anatomy Of A Confrontation

How does a three-time Cy Young Award winner like Maddux pitch to a three-time MVP like Barry Bonds? Very carefully.

1st At Bat
RBI groundout to second

"Going in, I know I'm going to pitch around Bonds whenever I can."

Leading 2-0 with a man on third and one out, Maddux concedes the run. He opens with three fastballs to Bonds, then throws two changeups. "I gave up a run, but I've got two outs, nobody on and a one-run lead. I'll take that."

2nd At Bat
Fly out to deep left center

"I'm thinking, Keep him in the park. Nobody's on base, so that's good."

Bonds is up with one out and no one on in the fourth, and Maddux starts with a fastball, down and outside, for a ball. He follows with another fastball, and Bonds flies out. "A pretty good pitch," says Maddux. "It ran down and away."

3rd At Bat
Base on balls

"I'm not upset with myself. I really don't care that I walked him."

With a 3-1 lead, Maddux hit a batter for only the second time this year, and now Bonds can tie the game with a homer. Maddux nibbles with five fastballs away but does not get the call on two close pitches, and Bonds walks.