St. Louis Post-Dispatch - April 15, 1980

Maddox, Phillies Reach Agreement

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Garry Maddox has signed a five-year, multi-million dollar contract, the Associated Press reported today.

A spokesman for the Phillies, who are in St. Louis to play the Cardinals tonight, said he would not deny the report.

Chris Wheeler, Philadelphia's assistant public relations director, confirmed that the Phillies had come to an agreement with Jerry Kapstein, Maddox's agent.

"It's just a matter of semantics," Wheeler said, confirming that some incentive clauses written into the contract had to be approved by the National League office, which has the contract in hand.

"Because he can become a free agent after this season, Garry obviously had great bargaining power," Wheeler said. "After all, his salary for this year has been estimated at $350,000 to $400,000. Ruly Carpenter (Phillies owner) always has liked Garry a lot. And Garry's is the best at his position."

Under the five-year pact, Maddox reportedly will receive about $700,000 a year.

Kapstein had been negotiating with the Phillies since January 1979. Then, during the recent spring training, both sides announced they had reached an impasse and that Maddox would play out his option and become a free agent at the end of the 1980 season.

At that time, Paul Owens, the Phillies' personnel director, said he might have to trade Maddox.

"I'm not going to lose him for nothing," Owens said, referring to the amateur draft choice the Phillies would receive if they lost Maddox in the reentry draft.

In the next move, Maddox expressed his desire to remain in the Philadelphia area and instructed his agent to re-open negotiations. About that time Maddox reportedly was seeking $1 million a year, but Garry denied that figure.