So the Cubs went out and got themselves a Joe Maddon.
Got to be honest, here… going to manage the Cubs is not exactly what a good Cardinals fan would do. Unless he’s planning the most awesome Trojan Horse infiltration since Odysseus pulled a fast on on Troy.
Then we’re totally cool with that.
Carry on, Joe.
Chances are Theo and Company vetted Mr. Maddon properly, though. And he’s actually, you know, going to be trying to beat the brakes off the Cardinals in 2015 and beyond.
Less than a week a go, 84% of the people in our poll voted that they’d rather have Maddon manage the Cardinals than Mike Matheny. So it’s no surprise we’ve been caught off guard – Cubs fans are winning the witty banter and that needs to be snuffed out.
It’s time to crowdsource the anti-Maddon talking points…
1) Joe Maddon is the Jason Kidd of MLB.
What kind of man takes another mans job? Jason Kidd.
Poor Rick Renteria. Since 1998 he’s been coaching baseball, starting out with the Brevard County Manatees. He’s stopped off in Lake Elsinore and Portland as well before becoming a bench coach for the Padres in 2011.
He paid his dues and finally got his shot with the Cubs last November.
Renteria was a total company man. Juggling service time limitations on young talent with the desire for fans to see a winner. He put together an admirable season of 73 wins while rejuvenating Starlin Castro. Things were looking up.
Until Maddon decided he wanted his job. POOF- Renteria’s dreams are dashed. Happy Halloween, indeed.
2) We’ve been down this road before.
Lou Piniella anyone?
Dusty Baker. Paging Dusty Baker.
You know how many managers the Cubs have had since their last World Series win in 1908? 50! 5-0! But forget all that, because the Cubs, after a period of trying to break the next great manager (Mike Quade, Dave Sveum, Rick Renteria), have opted to go back to the superstar route.
Between Piniella and Baker, the Cubs went 638-619. A winning percentage of .508. They combined for 0 NL Pennants and 0 World Series wins. Doesn’t seem like hiring a high profile guy in the past has worked, why is this any different?
3) Is Maddon ready for the big time?
We forget, but Maddon did have a brief stint in 1996 and 1999 as the skip of the Anaheim Angels. He went 27-24. But let’s discard that.
He’s now coming into the end of a long and tortuous rebuilding process with the Cubs. Their future stars are big-league ready. Expectations are high. And instead of dealing with 1 beat reporter and the 5,000 blue hairs populating Tropicana Field every night, he’s coming into one of the biggest media markets in the world.
Here’s a video from Sweet Lou’s first game as Cubs manager. His FIRST game:
Look like a guy that’s under a bit of stress?
Maddon was 754-705 for a .517 winning percentage in Tampa Bay. I’d agree that’s admirable, considering the payroll restrictions he was managing under. But when the bright lights and weight of expectations without the binky of baked-in excuses for lack of performance… will Joe Maddon rise to the occasion? Can Joe Maddon rise to the occasion?
4) It’s the Cubs.
They could ruin an orgasm.
When all else fails, remind Cubs fans that 107 years a nice little sample size for success.
UPDATE –
On Friday, Deadspin covered Joe Maddon and one time where he parked his classic car in a differently abled parking spot (LINK HERE). If this is true, let’s hope it was a temporary lapse in judgement for Mr. Maddon. For able bodied adults to take these designated spots is incredibly asshole-ish. Don’t do it. Not even once.
Photo: CZMHGS
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