I knew I was going to see two future Hall of Famers at Pac Bell Park Thursday night.

I knew both were capable of controlling the game.

I didn’t know who would come out on top as the mild mannered Greg Maddux squared off against Superman, Barry Bonds.

Here’s what happened.Greg Maddux completely mesmerized the Giants and their big slugger from the first pitch of the game Wednesday night.

He throws pitches effortlessly, never seemingly reaching back for anything extra.

His smooth body language makes everyone in the park relax, including the batter.

At one point Maddux threw 11 pitches to five batters early in the game, retiring them all.

Talk about setting the tone for the evening.

Hey, I’ve seen good pitchers throw 11 pitches to the first batter of the game more often than I’d like to recall.

Maddux was in total command on the field.

At one point after the third out of the inning was recorded, on his way back to the Braves dugout, the righty picked up the final batter’s bat and walked to home plate, tossing the bat over towards the Giants dugout.

Talk about being in control of the game.

Maddux not only cooks the meal, but does the dishes, too.

Bonds flailed harmlessly at Maddux’ pin point tosses all night. Manager Dusty Baker mercifully pulled Bonds in the seventh inning with the score 5-0, thus throwing in the symbolic towel.

The only time Maddux was in trouble occurred late in the game when trying for his 34th career shut out, he tired in the ninth innning, leaving with the bases loaded and none out.

Atlanta pitching coach Leo Mazzone came out to the mound to check on Maddux after the first two batters reached in the ninth.

Maddux stood on the hill, shoulders straight.

Mazzone trying to find out if Maddux was out of gas, looked seriously towards his ace, waiting for the reply.

Maddux with his usual deadpan look, never answered the question.

Instead, he wondered whether or not his buddy John Smoltz, the Braves closer, would be eligible for a save if the next batter reached base safely.

Mazzone laughed and left the mound, only to hear the crack of the bat just as he reached the Braves dugout, signalling the end for the Braves pitcher.

Manager Bobby Cox waddled to the mound, Smoltz was summoned, and the victory ultimately went to the Braves 6-1.

The 36 year old Maddux had career win number 261, well on his way to 300.

He got this one by throwing 93 well placed pitches in his eight official innings worked.

The Giants never touched him.

This one went to the Hall of Fame pitcher who pitched like he was sitting in a recliner, while the super slugger watched the end of the game from the lockeroom, actually in his recliner.

What irony.

A masterpiece for Maddux.

I wasn’t disappointed.