The Cubs announced today that Joe Maddon will not return as manager in 2020. He and Cubs president Theo Epstein have agreed to part ways following the conclusion of Maddon’s contract.
Maddon, 65, has managed the Cubs each of the last five seasons, compiling an overall 471-338 record in Chicago. He’s led the team to a winning record in each of those years, including 90+ wins and a postseason berth in four of five seasons. Of course, his crowning achievement is the 2016 season, when he and the Cubs claimed a World Series title for the first time since 1908.
Despite that run of sustained success, it comes as little surprise that Maddon will not return to the Cubs. It seems that the organization has been moving towards this end since last season, with the front office and Maddon agreeing that it’s time for a change. After a languid performance in the 2018 Wild Card Game and a September collapse in 2019, it seems that the magic of 2016 has run out, with Theo Epstein and the front office seemingly drifting out of sync with Maddon’s leadership style.
That’s not to say that Maddon is entirely at fault for the Cubs’ disappointing performance in the last two seasons; rather, it’s merely a reminder that the relationship between a team and its manager can evolve, even during a period of great success. An apparent erosion of the bond between Maddon and the Cubs became apparent when the organization refused to commit to Maddon for the future after last season, leaving him as a lame-duck manager entering 2019.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today speculates that the Padres, Phillies, and Mets could all be potential landing spots for Maddon. Of course, the Padres are the only team in that group that currently has a managerial vacancy, though there has been no shortage of speculation that Gabe Kapler and Mickey Callaway will soon find themselves without a job. Per Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Maddon does intend to continue managing next year, and there should be a number of suitors interested in his services. Kansas City, San Francisco, and now Pittsburgh will also have openings in the dugout.
Maddon is the owner of a sterling track record in his 16-year managerial career, with his teams posting a 1252-1067 record overall. He managed the 2008 Rays team that won the American League pennant and has led his teams to 90 or more wins in nine different seasons. His forward-thinking attitude and ability to manage either a rebuilding team or a contender should make him an attractive candidate for a variety of teams, even in the face of an industry-wide proclivity for younger, cheaper managers.
As for the Cubs, it remains to be seen how they’ll approach their search for the club’s next skipper. The organization could target an experienced manager such as Joe Girardi or Mike Scioscia, or they could turn to lesser-known, inexperienced candidates. Of that latter group, many will mention Mark Loretta, the Cubs’ current bench coach, and beloved franchise icon David Ross. However, those names are all merely speculative, and the team has given no hint as to how they will navigate the hiring process.
Giants?
Please Maddon should be manager of the Phillies or Giants. My first choice is the Phillies they need a manager with experience and Joe Maddon can help them win.
Please Giants, NO JOE MADDON !!
They could send Gabe to Chicago. He’s a big time liberal and would fit in in Obamaland. And Philly could grab Maddon. Good switch. I don’t want to hear or see Gabe ever again.
Congrats, out of 295 comments (at the time) your’s is the dumbest.
Considering the comments he made about Posey, I’m guessing they aren’t going to take that route…
What did he say about Posey?
He blamed Posey for the Posey Rule…something that was fairly taken out of context anyways
“He blamed Posey for the Posey Rule…something that was fairly taken out of context anyways.”
Good for him, I blame Posey for the Posey Rule too.
Blaming Posey for a rule that was created 2 full seasons after Posey’s injury, and more or less so because a general manager’s son got hurt in the playoffs at the same position?
Then fine, I’m blaming you for my dog dying. It’s your fault.
I blame joe madden for the trump impeachment and covering up the Ukraine scandal! It’s just easier.
– Donald Drumpf tweet
Why publish your ignorance for everyone to see? Millions of immigrants changed their names upon moving to America, and Donald Trumps father was no exception. By making that comment you are disparaging all immigrants who come to America and make a new life for themselves. Isn’t that one of the things the delusional left blames Trump for?
Geez dude
And my dog, too, and I don’t even have one!
binarydaddy If you’re going to come onto a site that talks about baseball and name people who are involved in baseball it would be advisable to attempt to spell their names correctly, otherwise you have zero credibility. It is Joe Maddon, that’s M-a-d-d-o-n, and it’s at the top of the page for your edification.
Shut up I hate you and the people that you represent
I go to Maddon to discuss baseball philosophy. I go to Madden to discuss football philosophy.
That was over two years ago..I doubt that’s even in play anymore
Padres seems to be the team that would be a right fit.. Young talented team that has no pressure to win, just like the Cubs were in 2014. Also the laid back style of San Diego would be a personality fit for Joe.
Excellent possibility with the Padres. I believe that the San Diego job will first be offered to Bruce Bochy who resides in the area. If Bochy shuns retirement and accepts the Padres job, I look for Joe Maddon to replace Mets manager Mickey Callaway. I can see Maddon’s ego taking him the big stage and bright lights of New York City and to a team that has the talent to compete for a title with a new voice in the dugout.
This is my thought too. When I saw this I instantly thought “he’s going to NY or SD.”
That and he defers public questioning to episodes of Seinfeld.
He’ll ruin tatis Jr. playing him in 4 different positions every week.
First he would have to publicly retract his comments about Anthony Rizzo deliberately trying to injure Austin Hedges.
Lol rizzo didn’t do anything wrong on that play..it was a clean play he was out anyway.
Hedges hurt his thigh. Poor baby throw some dirt on it and man up.
Bro the commissioner’s office literally called Rizzo the next day to inform him that he had violated the Posey Rule and anyone who watches the replay can see that Hedges gave him a lane but instead he chose to run inside the baseline and initiate contact with the catcher. I understand that you are a Cubs fan and therefore delusional but Rizzo did everything wrong on that play and it was NOT a clean play.
Love the comment
There is absolutely pressure to win in San Diego. Year 2 of Manny, super prospects with playing time under their belt already, and a fanbase that is growing impatient. Plus, AJ Preller is likely on a short leash if they don’t put wins together soon.
Going from agreeable Bruce Bochy to the pompous Joe Maddon?
Hard pass.
Pompous? I dont think you know Joe as well as you think you do. He’s confident, not arrogant. A Chicago sports legend, I wish him the best, but agree with the declining results the last couple years, this is the right move for both sides. Cubs need to really shake things up or they’re looking at another blow-it-up and rebuild soon.
Honest question: have you ever listened to a single interview from Maddon?
The dude is a pompous jerk, and that’s a huge reason he’s looking for a job within three years of bringing the Cubs a WS.
He’s insufferable and Chicago fans soured on him quickly.
Chicago fans soured on him quickly???? LMAOOOOO!! You couldn’t be more wrong!! Real cub fans realize that Maddon was excellent, and guided the franchise to its most successful run in its history!! In the end he couldn’t out manage the mistakes that the front office saddled him with!! But of course theo won’t fire himself
Are you related to Maddon? I am a diehard fan, but change was needed…I appreciate what he brought in 2016, but there needs to be a new voice. Anyone that has managed before, like myself, could see he was far from excellent.
Cubs fans don’t have an issue with Joe being Joe. He’s not pompous, he is just comfortable in his own skin and doesn’t care about haters or negativity.
.
He was very arrogant
The results are on the GM. Epstein is overrated af. Who has he drafted and developed? Hes a luxury tax baby.
I have listened to many interviews Joe Maddon has given. He is confident and comfortable in who he is. Does not worry about pompous fans or what other haters think or say. He is a leader of men.
wb3cubs: Smart Cubs fans realize that Theo Epstein is most responsible for the Cubs current problems. They also know that Joe Maddon shares responsibility for a team that has had a downward trend since that 2016 World Series title, something that should not have happened so soon with the talented young core he inherited when first taking the job for the 2015 season.
so, i gather you want the managers act like lapdogs?
Am I related to Maddon… no. Have you managed anywhere near his level, little league teams, and video games notwithstanding… NO!!! 2nd most wins in team history, world championship, winning culture and expectations, regarded as a legend by his players, and a special talent by major league executives!! THAT’S EXCELLENT!! Again Maddon doesn’t sign players, that’s theo’s job. No lead off hitter, gaping holes in the rotation and bullpen, no closer. All fall at the feet of theo. You clown
Maybe the best run in your lifetime.
The Cubs were 530-235 with 4 world series appearances and 2 world series wins from 1906 to 1910. THAT was the most successful run in Cubs history.
Cubs were close to the bottom in defense and leading the league in baserunning outs. That appears like the players felt like there was no consequence for their mistakes. Providing that consequence is on the manager. Joe is responsible for resting the regulars and I think he did it way too much and it seemed like he had what I called Joe’s giveaway games where he would leave a struggling starter out there until the game was well out of hand. I don’t know, it just seemed like he was kind of tired, and not fighting to win every game.
Fine… best run in over a century. Does that make it less meaningful?
See GaryleeT info above…Wb3cubs turns a blind eye to these facts….Maddon was a likeable guy…bad in game manager…let a guy go 3-4 with a homer and 4 rbis and the guy is sitting the next day just because that was his weekly plan..way to keep players interested.
I’m not turning a blind eye to anything! I never said Joe was perfect, I said he was excellent!! And with all of his faults, HE STILL led the Cubs to the most successful run that any of us has seen in our lifetime!! Forgive me if I don’t feel partial to whatever the hell happened in 1906 to 1908… I wouldn’t be born for another 70 years!! All you idiots who ignore theo’s incompetency, and solely blame Joe, are morons
Where has that “winning culture” been for the last 3 seasons? They have routinely imploded and under-performed.
agree!
Why are you speaking for all Cubs fans? I have been a diehard fan for years and think Maddon should have been fired months ago.
You’ve managed in the major leagues?
as a cards fan i couldn’t agree more and yes i dislike the cubs but doesn’t mean i don’t keep tabs on them. although theo hasn’t done joe any favors with his roster moves i think letting joe go is a big mistake. imo the only reason the cubs were even relevant the last 2 years is because of joe he has no control if the guys he picks will perform or not
Let em get a dose of Gabe Kapler.
He was great at first but putting KB in the outfield was dumb..not trading Schwarber for pitching was dumb(it will happen now)
Maddon tried everything he could to lose to the indians in the world series. From putting chapman in a blowout win in game 6 to pulling Hendricks with less than 80 pitches. After he said he would only bring in lester in a “clean inning”
It was time for him to move on
You’d be amazed how many people actually thought he was fired. And thought that an expiring contract is the same thing as being fired.
They even said it was a mistake to not bring him back.
Real cubs fans knew from game 1. If he didn’t at least go to the NLCS he wasnt coming back.
The Cubs would be nowhere without Theo so stop with that crap. Cubs fans need to realize they won the WS in 2016 because they had many players play above their potential including a starting rotation that literally all had career years or close to it.
Cubs have a closer. He’s an overpaid paper weight but he is still a closer.
As usual, your ignorance is astonishing. I don’t know how you manage to do it, but every comment you post is more idiotic than the last.
Are you referring to my comment? What’s idiotic with talking about a cubs closer that is 0-4 with an era pushing 7 making 19 million this year?
I’d love to see Theo be the GM of a small market team that has limited payroll. Let’s see his genius then.
Referring to the brainchild known as ElMahoN9ne.
Chicago sports legend. Ha!
The fact that the cubs don’t realize that is the reason their fan base has the reputation of being stupid.
Right before the game? Why?
I’m sure they told him last night in their meeting. It gives him one more game with the guys to say good bye
Probably so the players can
do their farewells and goodbyes? Personally I never cared for his style when he was with the Rays manager but he deserves credit for 2016.
Idk seems strange something must’ve went down
No, just how you do it with a guy in the last day of his contract
Its not really strange at all. Nothing went down last night that was not going down before the night meeting started.
So that the fans and players can take in the last game knowing it’s the last one w Maddon as the Cubs manager. If they already know, why on Earth would they wait until after the game..?!
STLCards33: Clearly it wasn’t done to p!ss off Cardinal fans who should be more concerned that their beloved has lost two straight games to an injury riddled Cubs team and now needs to send ace pitcher Jack Flaherty out there on Sunday to clinch an NL Central title that should have been wrapped up Friday or Saturday.
Flaherty should been starting game #1 of the NLDS and now he won’t even be available for a potential tie-break game versus the Brewers or the wild card contest on Tuesday pending today’s results.
You’re right and the cardinals hav a lot of should, could situations..are you really talking crap lol the NL CENTRAL in which the cubs should have had wrapped up a long time ago but are now going to watch the playoffs from their couches…dude I would just be quiet right now…it’s not the time to talk crap
They’ve talked crap the last few years. Now their mouths taste like crap.
All you do is talk crap. And you’re never even clever about it. Just more noise from another dumb homer.
What makes the difference if Flaherty starts game one OR game 2!
good point you still need to win 3 to advance
Shocker
Sarcasm right?
Yes
Thanks for 2016 Joe. Bon Voyage..
maddon will have a job next year.
He will have a job tomorrow. (Next week, the latest)
Well, as soon as he wants one, anyway. He’s earned it. A HoF manager in my book, for breaking the curse- even if he mismanaged the bullpen every October- they got the job done in ‘16 when it mattered most.
Definitely not HOF
Not HOF? Lol. You’re definitely an id ! ot.
Angels
he fits the angels like a glove. and the owner really likes him.
They are going to bring in Girardi. Maddon will go to a team like the Angels.
The angels have ausmus
Maddon was the bench coach in Anaheim for a decade before he went to Rays. Ownership loves him.
Someone else mentioned San Diego, that seems like could be a good fit. Granted, I dont know much about that organization/ownership.
no money in sd.
Except there was only 3 years of layover when Arte bought the team
It’s already been reported the Angels would fire Ausmus for Maddon
Lol Ausmus
ausmus will give eppler shoulder massages in front office.
Yes. And I feel their pain.
Girardi would be a STUPID choice. He couldn’t win with the Yanks when they weren’t injured. Go ahead Theo, hire him and LOSE FANS.
Girardi has long bee a fan favorite in Chicago. So has Sandberg and so it Ross. I predict one of the three. Of course, I could also be wrong. After all, I am just a fan. 🙂
Sandberg would be a terrible man for the job.
I don’t think Ross will get a managerial job so quickly. Maybe bring him in as the catchers coach or some sort of bench coach. I don’t think the cubs will go with a fan favorite for their manager, they want to win right now still so they want a good manager, not just a likable one
Mark Loretta
Girardi or Ross would be very interesting.
While we’re at it, lets ditch JD and Len in favor of Pat and Sutcliffe. I like DeShaies but he and Len have terrible on-air chemistry and constantly talk over each other, and neither has any real ties to the organization.
Time for something new.
Len and JD have been excellent. JD is a clear step up over the boring catcher rants of Brenly. Len’s voice is quite synonymous with the Cubs and this era of winning baseball.
JD started a little slow but now he is really good and very funny.
Len is insufferable. In 5 years he’s going to be more of a Homer than Hawk Harrelson.
I would be willing to bet that Girardi is NOWHERE near Theo’s radar. Two things are probably happening here——Theo is forcing his input to daily baseball on the field decisions and it’s financial—-Girardi fits neither of these scenarios. The Mark Loretta, John Farrell guys fit—-not Girardi. Because on top of all of this—the roster construction might be quite a bit different. They are not renewing Maddon so they can bring in a new voice with the same players.
Girardi will be considered, but John Farrell will most likely get the job
You are correct….Angels it is…
If Theo Epstein hires a Northwestern alum the ‘smart’ choice would be bench coach Mark Loretta over Joe Girardi. If he hires a former Cubs catcher it will be David Ross over Girardi. I believe the new Cubs manager will be either Loretta or Ross with the loser potentially becoming the winner’s bench coach.
One thing is for certain. Theo will be looking for a different voice than what Joe Maddon offered the Cubs players. I believe he desires a younger manager who will also hold the players more accountable for their actions on the field. That manager will also need to fully embrace all the advanced analytics the front office geeks feed him and put that information into better use than what Maddon did.
What?!
I wonder if he even shows up to the ballpark today
Stan Maddon will show up at the ballpark and manage the Cubs to a sweep of the Cardinals.
This didn’t age well…
Ouch
This just in….Jason Heyward says he feels bad not EARNING his huge contract, volunteers to be player-manager throughout his remaining contract!
His contract still wouldn’t be worth it
Heyward is a good motivational speaker.
Girardi come on down
@Steve, Giradi has been waiting for this for years and I hope he gets it. You hit the nail right on the head.
The Mets should get Buck Showalter, he is one smart dude, he is better than what they have and has so much experience, what do you think?
No thanks not buck. Girardi or Beltran
Rumors has it that, to this date, Britton is still waiting for Showalter’s call.
No way – will the next “yes” man please step forward
Lmfao
But … I voted for him to still be managing the Cubs next year. I feel blindsided by this.
Fire Kapler, bring him in.
New manager in Ryne Sandberg?
Sandberg was god-awful in his short time in Philly. He also has a way out of date managerial style. It would be a horrible fit.
zero chance
Cubs fan here, but a hard pass on this. They need a guy with an actual personality that’s similar to Maddon. In the sense of being a players manager. That automatically disqualifies Sandberg or Loretta. They both have the personalities of snails. It’s either Ross or Ross. Expect the announcement on next Monday.
Maddon seems like a perfect fit to lead the Raiders.
Wow!! I knew it was coming, but still hard to hear it
Even though I can’t stand the Cubs, I respect that Maddon always stands up for his players and his team. But this move shouldn’t shock anyone after their late-season fade. Joe probably could have a new gig next year if he wants one and if he doesn’t price himself out of some of the likelier landing spots.
Angels PLEASE hire him!!!
It’s a shame that he’s the scapegoat for a roster constructed by Theo with obvious glaring holes, and a bunch of swing-for-the-fences, me-first attitude players. Nonetheless, Joe will find another job managing this offseason
Scumbag
He is right, idiot.
no u
How is he a scumbag for calling it like it is? Lol.
He is the one who insisted on playing Ian happy every day last year he is the one who arrietta Chapman and wade davis stayed they wanted no part of
Chitown311, you’ve always criticized him. Now that he’s gone, “everything” is Theos fault. You are such a CHOOCH!
Don’t bother. The guys a hater and a joke.
Then tell me, who would YOU blame? The hitting, pitching, and bench coaches have been a revolving carousel for the last 3 years, now it’s the manager. Maybe instead of it being everyone else’s fault, it’s time for Theo to look in the mirror and put the blame where blame is deserved. A $230mm payroll and just barely over .500? Open your eyes
You don’t always have to blame someone for things that don’t work out the way you want them to. That’s your low-IQ southside mentality showing.
That’s one area I would blame. The carousel of coaches. I think it hurt the Cubs when they changed the coaching staff after 2016.
Their team is largely home grown… Epstein did a good job drafting all these “selfish” players or so you call them. Heyward wasn’t a good signing looking back at it, but he was still a very good player when he signed the contract so you can’t blame Epstein for making the move. Meanwhile most of the league has a swing for the fences mentality, not that it’s necessarily good or bad, just how the game is played these days. Also not sure where you’re getting the sense that the players have a me-first attitude. Their top players all seem to be pretty selfless, and don’t forget this is their first year in almost 5 years with not making the playoffs, so clearly they’re built pretty well. Stop being a salty fan and just appreciate the success of the team
@tigersfan1320
Not sure how much you read through other Cubs comment sections, but chitown311 is a known white sox homer. He attaches subjective descriptors to all things Cubs that they cannot be objectively disputed yet shine a negative light on the relevant discussion. It’s best to either aggressively call him out on his BS or just ignore the low-IQ troll.
He’s not a white Sox homer he’s a cubs hater, he probably doesn’t even watch the Sox. He’s even been warned by admins about his trolling.
For my money, all the blame falls directly on the chooch known as Banesays.
Seriously? Now is Epstein going to get rid of the core group? I’m so mad I could spit!!
Slow down, crazo.
I’ve probably been a Cubs fan longer than you’ve been alive. I was expressing my opinion and have heard rumors that they are looking to trade “big name players” to cut back on payroll. There is no need to call people names.
I knew he was not coming back but now it is official, I got kind of sad. He lead the Cubs in the most successful stretches in over 100 years
Cubs hire Joe Girardi
Robin Ventura?
69 year die hard Cubs fan. Hire Girardi and I will find a different team to support. “#Say no to Joe”.
haha, silly comment. just like those leaving America if Trump got in
Mark Loretta. They ain’t spending Girardi money.
Cubs fired Maddon. Let’s see: the most successful manager of the club since Frank Chance a century ago; popular with players, fans, and the media; a charismatic leader who brought attention to his team and put fannies in the seats. Yep. Good reasons to fire him. What are they thinking?
His contract expired. They didn’t fire him. Nice try tho.
Grrrrr
Semantics, dude. Joe wanted to be here and now he is gone and has to go elsewhere. Call it whatever you want, but that’s what’s known as “fired.”
that’s what’s known as a contract not being renewed. He would still be getting paid by the Cubs if he had been fired.
Wow Bane! Who helped you with the big words in your efforts to figure out the Maddon contract situation? That same person should have helped you with your post. The word you meant to use is “though.” Keep working at it. Someday you will graduate from picture books to ones with actual words.
Banesays is an L7 weenie!
Wow. thats tbe most misguided and full of crap comment I have evet read on here.
I think it’s important to remember that unless their club wins the World Series, every manager and every front office in every year will be the subject of criticism for deals made, deals that weren’t made, prospects who failed to live up to the hype, failure to find the right players to fill holes in the roster, and so on. It’s a commonplace to say that baseball is a game of failure, yet fans invariably blame field managers and GMs for doing what every team but one will do—fail to win the World Series.
Misguided? It’s a fact. Chooch.
Way to expand your vocabulary Bane!
I couldn’t agree more. Sad day for real Cubs fans
Maddon wasn’t fires his contract was up and they are not going to offer another one
Big difference between firing like the Pirates did to Hurdle than not resigning like the Cubs did with Maddon.
Theo should be shown the door also.
I agree.Theo has screwed this team up with his horrible signings that have destroyed there future.
Yeah Theo has ruined the north side. Especially with that title in ‘16. Oh and it’s their*. Chooch.
Theo is good a building teams but cant maintain them.
Exactly.
yeah, like all those other repeat champions…
Just when I had hoped that you are starting to use more words, you fall back on the old “Chooch”. Don’t give up Bane, someday you will be able to read and communicate at a 4th grade level. You just have to keep trying.
What horrible signings? They gave heyward a big contract but he would’ve gotten that from many other GM’s too.
Morrow? Really? With that injury history? Chatwood’s contract was a joke. I never would’ve inked that. Darvish seems like he’s starting to put it together, but his past is riddled with injuries, he’s aging, and he’s made of glass. I fully expect another injury next season. These are all terrible signings.
Amen – he fired batting coaches , pitching coaches, and now Madden
Young guy that’s not accountable for nothing.
The owner should fire him in the three inning of today’s game and all the other clowns in his suite.
This.
If he hires Girardi he probably will be.
Rebuild
I hope to hell they bring someone in who is better. The question is who? This isn’t all on Joe.
There’s not a clear cut candidate, who is better than Joe!! He’s simply taking the fall for theo’s incompetence!! That’s what stings so much, this just isn’t right
Philadelphia, I’m begging you to kick out Kapler and hire Joe. PLEASE!!!
Mega dittos!
Padres seems to be the team that would be a right fit.. Young talented team that has no pressure to win, just like the Cubs were in 2014. Also the laid back style of San Diego would be a personality fit for Joe.
Seems like a team that could use the Maddon culture. Think when Joe managed the Rays. Lots of young talent looking to show their talents.
Epstein left Maddon twisting in the wind for a year and fired Renteria 1 yr into his deal.Fired 3 hitting and pitching coaches, tore apart the minor league system, spent ownerships money horribly and didn’t address the bullpen, lead off spot for 2 years. But it’s the managers fault.
Yap Theo is a joke with no class
Well stated. While Joe had his flaws like every manager/head coach. He was not entirely responsible for the current state the Cubs are in. Looking past the 2016 WS which was great if your a Cubs fan. Theo has made a lot of poor decisions especially on the free agent side. Good luck to Joe. We’ll see what other moves the front makes as far as players.
Buh bye Maddon. You to be honest I dont think he deserves another job. He has under managed since 2017. Angel’s had plenty of injury issues too this year and Maddon couldnt have done any better with those teams.
Silence troll
Under managed? What a joke! Without him, the Cubs still wouldn’t have won a World Series.
Would not be surprised to see Maddon managing the Giants or the Padres next season.
Maddon came to Chicago with a bunch of young players that like playing baseball. Maddon was able to keep these young players’ minds on the game which helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. Years later these players are starting to think about their pay days. Its been a different story for Maddon for the Cubs in the last two years. Maddon can not control these guys any more since they are about themselves.
Please provide ONE example where a Cub player was “about” himself???
mike-Kris Bryant. Not a team player at all. I don’t think I saw him advance a lead off double to 3rd one time in 4 years, he always tried to pull it. In interviews he mentions the business and money part of the game more than any other Cub. Also, he is one of the softest players I have ever seen. If the ball comes anywhere near him these days he flinches. If he has an ouchy, he tells coachy and gets the day off. I will be very glad when they trade him as it is the best leverage they have to get some much needed prospects and pitching.
There goes BVT talking nonesense again
Fact: Bryant turns down an extension to remain a Cub and will be traded this off-season for the Cubs to revamp their farm system. Bryant is looking for his pay day where he is not playing up to his potential as the super star the Cubs thought he would be. Most of Cubs’ fans I talk to would agree with me that the Cubs are full of guys trying to always hit a home run. This team was different in 2016 when they were young with veteran presence. Bryant’s biggest year was in 2016 but he had Fowler batting in front of him where Bryant saw a fast ball.
We haven’t had a leadoff man since Fowler left. We don’t know how to manufacture a run. No hit and runs, steals, nothing. Don’t move runners along. That’s on Maddon. Now the rest of the short comings fall on Epstein and the players. I suspect Bryant is gone and possibly others. It’s just a mess. I can’t believe the state of our farm system. Not one starter has been produced in all the years Theo has been at the helm.
So tell us about that time you were in the clubhouse.
As much as I disagreed with some of his decisions, he was still the best manager the Cubs have had in my lifetime (31 years). I sincerely hope he has an opportunity to take over as the Angels manager, as I think they have a team whose talent exceeds their results and it’d be a nice homecoming for him.
I’ll always appreciate what he brought to this franchise.
amen!
My favorite was Don Zimmer
Joe has an oversized ego, but he got the bum’s rush. Wonder how long Maddon’s Post survives?
He just needs to rename it to Post Maddon and stay in Chicago. Then at least he will still be able to manage something.
Weather you liked Joe or not today is a sad day in Chicago Sports. Joe was not perfect, but show me a manager that is.
Thank you Joe for helping bring a World Series Championship to the Cubs in my lifetime!
Theo, Jed and Tom, I believe in you but you have a lot of work to do!!
Need to replace Servais. Get him Dipoto.
replace dipdip first.
Horrible. It’s not his fault his players were hurt.
They led the league in outs made on base and were 2nd in errors. That’s flat out, poor coaching. Madden and the team are in need of a change.
Same exact thing with the Cardinals last year and they went from the bottom to the top in both categories and at worst they are guaranteed a tie for the NL Central this year. Not a coincidence. Even though the media just focuses on offense, the defense and base-running still matter.
Note even close to the reason they missed the playoffs. Too many outs on the bases, too many errors, zero small ball, too many leadoff doubles wasted, tons of double plays, way too often swinging for the fences instead of moving along runners, all managerial shortcomings. Too many botched lineups. Keeping Happ and Schwarber out of the lineup on regular basis really hindered their progress as well. Both should excel under better leadership.
Cubs hire Matheny. Maddon to the Cards. Girardi to the Mets, Bochy to the Padres. None of them make the playoffs in 2020
Matheny is not with the Cardinals
wat
The Cardinals just hired Schildt to a big extension and like the way he’s managing. There is a zero percent chance that that happens.
Bochy is retiring.
Retiring from the Giants. He never said h e was permanently leaving baseball.
Retiring due to health
Er, you, along with the coauthors of this piece, and the respondent, all apparently don’t read baseball news. Matheny is the likely replacement for Yost in KC.
I can see him either going to the Giants, Angels or Padres next season.
Girardi reunion!
Pads or Phillies
Well… as a Cards fan, I hope this completely saddens the team today and they all play lousy as a result…
Derrick Holland is starting, they’ll score 6 in the first inning alone
Well you were close
I’m happy!
Womp womp
Fun while it lasted.
Some of these comments are outrageous though. For the most part, Epstein, Hoyer and Maddon have kept the team competitive and in the playoffs the last several seasons. That includes their first championship in over a century. Now all of a sudden they’re everything wrong with the cubs?
Some folks are just never happy.
id certainly take him in Philly, though id like them to consider other options as well. Dusty would be my pick.
I guess his schtick finally got old. I don’t know of any manager that whines as much as he does.
He does enjoy his wine.
Pirates! Hahaha, just kidding. That would cost money
Tried to find any articles alluding to why this happened, but cannot find it. He helped build a culture of sustained success, so it really doesn’t make sense at all on the surface.
If it was some of his managerial decisions, I agree, however. I remember being at the Cubs-Rockies one game playoff last year. He could have run Gore very early on for Schwarber with it being a 1 run lead, with no outs, but he chose not to. (and Cubs were at home) –
Little things like that grind, but certainly you can say that with any manager.
Sabremetrics has the same effect everywhere it has been used. After a while players feel less valuable than a statistic. Joe treated them well but under valueing anyone will eventually result in a worse performance. look how many starters were pulled BEFORE they should have been and how the bull pen was used daily to continue the left right switch from batter to batter. Joe is probably a nice guy but sabremetrics is not helping any team long term and the Cubs were an obvious example. Want to continue losing? …. then hire Joe Girardi.
At 65 I’d think he’d be looking for a front office gig next. Maybe Boston?
Angels will hire Madden and use that as leverage to sign Cole….beginning of going “all in”
Maddon*
This is just how it played out in Boston. First Tito was fired then Theo too, but with my Redsox I think it was cuz the ownership doesn’t like to pay GMs it managers the big bucks. They rather pay the players. Madden deserves better treatment, hope he finds a good home.
Joe will be alright. cubs fans are the ones who should be worried. The cubs front office is still convinced they can win with that roster. What they need is new blood in that front office, someone from outside the organization who can objectively address the many problems with the roster: Aging pitching rotation, skilled hitting, and below average bullpen.
Building a rotation through free agency is clearly the better option than drafting and/or acquiring pitching prospects via trade. As a Sox fan you should know this first hand with all the busts the Sox have in pitching prospects or pitchers who have turned out to be as durable as tissue paper. Your team still thinks Carlos Rodon could be a top of the rotation arm if he can stay healthy….. despite him NEVER being capable of staying healthy OR posting numbers that would indicate that he’s much more than a 4th if not 5th starter on a team thinking they should be contenders. Carson Fulmer – bust. Kopech…. .injured, South Siders have high hopes for him but in his limited exposure he wasn’t all that impressive. Cease….. in both the majors and minors this year has looked UGLY. Reynaldo Lopez looks like MAYBE a #4 quality starter at best…. AT BEST. I mean what was his ERA this year? Like 5.50, haha. Giolito shocked everyone by being a competent pitcher this year…… but he’s now on the DL after 29 starts with a lat strain – injury prone? We shall see next year. Also, after a hot first half he cooled off considerably in the second half. Still a decent second half, but a 3.76 vs 3.15 ERA is regression nonetheless. Verdict is still out on Giolito. Pretty sure every other prospect they have in the pitching department who have yet to make their debut all went down with injuries this year. So with all those pitching prospects maybe… MAYBE 1 looks like he MIGHT be top of the rotation worthy in Giolito… maybe.
Cubs have $20M in Hamels coming off the books, and if they buy out the underwhelming Quintana they’d save an additional $9.5M. Couple that with Zobrist and others coming off the books this team will have a truck load’s worth of money coming off the books. More than enough to buy a completely new bullpen AND go after Gerrit Cole. Rotation of Cole, Hendricks, Darvish, Lester, and a 5th starter of Chatwood or Mills…. or Alzolay….. Should be good enough. I mean look what the Astros have done this year with pretty much just a 4 man rotation. Darvish was finally 100% in the 2nd half this year and he pitched to a Cy Young- level caliber. If he can do that all next year and he’d be our 3rd SP in the rotation if they get Cole…. yeah. Bullpen will feature mostly an entire new cast next year seeing as any reliever making serious money (for a reliever) is due to be a free agent – Kintzler, Cishek, Strop, etc. Only dude definitely coming back is Kimbrel who was a disappointment but, keep in mind, he didn’t have a spring training and was sitting on his a** the first 3 months or so of the season. Is he as good as he has been in the recent past? Maybe not….. but he doesn’t have to be. Him posting a 3.00 ERA and getting about 30-35 saves would be MAJOR regression for him….. but still good enough to be a top closer. I think KNOWING where he’s playing and THAT he’s going to be playing in 2020 will make him much better prepared for 2020 than he was for 2019. He clearly needed more time getting into game shape before debuting with the Cubs. I think he spent like 2-3 stints on the DL in the 3ish months he was on the team with just nagging aches and pains.
As for this offense…… it’s one of the best in the game….. definitely the National League. I just imagine if they didn’t do the pointless trade for Chapman in 2016 they’d have Torres manning 2B. Could you imagine this team with an infield of Bryant, Baez, Torres, Rizzo, and Contreras…… that’s an All-star and quite possibly the best offense player at each respective position. On one team….. but….. they traded him. Still…… Bryant, Baez, Rizzo, and Contreras is a stellar infield group. Hoerner (who I didn’t expect to see until next year) looks legit too. With his clock started and the team seemingly giving up on Russell solely because of accusations against him (dude has been convicted of no crime…. literally a she said he said scenario and of course, the society we live in believes the chick…. even though her blog post paints Russell as more of just an a**hole – not a domestic abuser….. only physical contact I recall her mentioning is he one time grabbed her arm forcefully…… My parents have been married for 37 years…. they both slap each other upside the head all the time…. he belittled her and insulted her….. according to her. That’s just being a di**…. I mean is name calling really a crime? No…. in the world of sane people – no…. it’s not. It just makes the dude an a**hole) I can see Hoerner making this team out the gate next year seeing as his clock has been started. I see them trading Russell this offseason for one of those said new relievers. Or maybe they get a kings ransom in prospects for him. I mean if the Sox can get what they got for Eaton I won’t be shocked if the Cubs get a similar return for Russell who has 20+ HR power and plays well above average defense. If he could just put it all together at the plate he could be a .270+ hitter with a .340-350 if not higher OBP. Kid is still young. Schwarber despite not getting 550 ABs thanks to Maddon’s obsession with lineup changes and platoons, still is going to finish with nearly 40 HRs. He’s currently hitting about .250 with a .340 OBP. If he too continues to make progress I still think his ultimate ceiling could be a .270-.280 hitter with a .380-.390 OBP…… and belt those 40+ HRs. Even if he’s “just” this .250 hitter with a .340 OBP with 40 HRs….. that’s better than Harper….. yet Harper gets crazy hype for some reason. Harper is no prize defensively either yet people only say Schwarber is DH worthy…. not Harper. Not a fan of WAR but I know modern day nerd fans are obsessed with it. According to that insanely arbitrary stat Harper has a -3.0 dWAR for his career…… Schwarber -3.2. Yeah. NO ONE says Harper can only be a DH though. And for some reason Cub fans and the Chicago media act like Schwarber is this guy that they should trade….. as if 40 HRs is easily replaceable. Only guys they should trade this offseason are Russell and Almora for sure. If they could find a suitor I’d say dump Chatwood as well…. maybe Quintana if they don’t buy him out. Their CFer would then be Happ and Heyward in RF. OR…. if they free up enough money….. re-sign Castellanos and he’d be in RF and Heyward in CF and Happ would be the new Zobrist….. just with WAY more power off the bench joining Bote and Caratini who’d be on the bench as well. That’s a pretty solid bench in those 3 guys right there….. IF they re-sign Castellanos. If not – I’m sure they’d be fine because again….. 4/5ths of their infield is All Star caliber. And if Schwarber picks up where he left off this year in 2020, he could be hitting .250 with a .340 OBP and about 25-30 HRs by the break if the new manager allows him to play EVERY DAY and get at LEAST 550 ABs. He does that and I’d have a hard time saying that isn’t AS worthy. I mean that’s more than what Harper has averaged the last 4 years and he’s been a perennial all star. If Hoerner keeps hitting like he has and plays adequate D at 2B he too could find himself in an AS game.
Point is…… this offense is loaded. It’s baffling this team is missing the playoffs despite having the best run differential in their division…. and by a lot. How the lowly Brewers have the record they have despite only a +4 run differential is mind boggling. Their run differential would indicate a team with a .500 record at best….. not one playing today to be 18 games over .500. If they blow out the Cards today and the Braves lose or play a close game the Cubs could have the 3rd best run differential in the NL by season’s end. To say they should retain Maddon is foolish. While people love to defend this guy his managerial in-game decisions have been questionable his entire tenure. Difference between 2015-2017 and 2018-2019 is that in those first 3 years the team had better luck bailing him out of those highly questionable decisions….. sooner or later that luck would balance out…. and it has – the last two years. And despite everyone lamenting on how underwheling 2018 was they STILL won 95 games. THAT’S how good this team is. 5 games shy of a 100 win season is a disappointment and it was because they should’ve won more….. but didn’t…. because a lot of those games Maddon gets in his own way and micromanages like a MFer. There is a reason they didn’t extend him before this year….. because the front office saw this too. Maddon gets in his own way ALL THE TIME. People like to say “he led them to a world series victory.” Reality is, he was there when they won a world series. He tried his da**dest though to manage that team to a world series loss in that game 7. Hendricks was cruising and had a 5-1 lead in the 5th inning and only threw 60something pitches when Maddon thought “Man….. I need to Maddon-ize this game and make a super early, pointless pitching change” he puts in Lester – not a reliever – and he promptly gives up 2-3 runs and it’s now a 2 or 3 run lead. Then he puts in Chapman who he rode to death throughout the playoffs despite Chapman underperforming the ENTIRE playoffs and his fastball only clocking in at 96-97 mph gives up a HR to an 11 year veteran who had 55 CAREER home runs to tie the game. Then Maddon gets saved by a brief rain delay – the super talented team any fool could win with then takes advantage of that and they get a few runs in the 10th inning and win the game. Who were those heroes and who ACTUALLY won them the world series? Almora, Zobrist, and Montero. A PERFECT representation of how much this fan base should appreciate Theo and Co. and not so much Maddon. Zobrist – free agent signing. Montero – trade acquisition. Almora – draft pick. THAT is why they won that world series. Because of the massive changes Theo and Co. did throughout this organization and the team they assembled. Not because Maddon was managing losses into wins. NO MANAGER manages a team to more wins than they should’ve won. They CAN manage themselves into losses though. The BEST managers do the latter very rarely. Maddon does it fairly frequently. When the Cubs inked Maddon Rays fans left comments on this site along the lines of “Have fun with him” and “good luck” in a facetious manner. Because they knew the guy was overrated and incredibly hairpullingly aggravating as a manager. I thought they were just butthurt he bailed on their team. 3 months into 2015 I saw exactly what they were talking about though and I was already wanting him gone by July 2015. Them finally moving on from him makes me thrilled. Even if whoever they hire as manager for next year and beyond leads this team to only 80-85 wins…. I won’t be missing Maddon and the extra gray hairs he gave me…… and the near heart attack he induced during game 7 of the World Series. That team should’ve coasted to an easy game 7 World Series win….. Maddon made sure that didn’t happen. That game sucked. It was great because they obviously just won the World Series….. but was aggravating because it was the final nail in the coffin for me on Maddon and me REALLY wanting this dude fired/let go. But he just happened to be in the dugout when they won a World Series so of course they weren’t going to fire him. Chicagoans lost their mind when Parkey missed a FG last postseason. As a result, Parkey lost his job almost immediately. If the Cubs lose that World Series (and IMO even after they won they should’ve done this) Maddon most definitely should’ve seen as much scorn as Parkey did and most deservedly needed to be fired. But his team did what they do best and bail him out of dumb decisions. SO his job was saved for 3 more seasons…. 3 LOOONG seasons. This team SHOULD have about 93-94 wins right now. Instead they likely finish with 84 with Derek Holland (smh) starting today. And while you may want to blame the players or the front office – 1) this is almost the same team that has been extremely successful the last 4 years…. again 2018 was a disappointment… but they still managed 95 Ws, hard to blame the front office IMO, and 2) this team had a 51-30 record at home….. but only 33-47 and likely finishing with a 33-48 record on the road. Are you telling me the players just “give up” on the road? Seems odd. At some point the manager needs to should at the very least SOME of the blame. Maddon’s eccentric personality has worn thin, not only on the (sane) fans and media but I think the players as well. Maddon is the “bro” manager. He’s great at managing personalities in the clubhouse by keeping it loose. I seriously question his true leadership skills though. I think people in the clubhouse view him more as a “bro” than a manager. Then there is his in-game decision making ability. I rate that as below average and don’t have to think twice about it. The guy is pitiful at managing a pitching staff. And I honestly think he’s hindered young position player’s progression by CONSTANTLY platooning them with aging vets. I mean loiok at what Happ has done in VERY limited time this year. Dude has 11 HRs in only 138 ABs and is hitting .268 with a .333 OBP and .906 OPS…… not a starter though. GREAT example of him misusing talent on this team was with La Stella. La Stella was a bona fide top prospect coming out of Atlanta when they acquired him. Dude was strictly used as a pinch hitter. Kid was an OBP machine in the minors and hit above .300 with both Atlanta and the Cubs triple A teams. Rode the bench all day long while Russell who was clearly struggling and probably should’ve been sent down for more grooming was starting at SS/2B everyday. La Stella FINALLY gets starting time in LA and everyone is shocked he can hit for average and is an OBP machine. This team was in search of a lead off hitter after 2016 when they let Fowler walk. They had one… In La Stella. It aggravated me to near insanity they never even considered him as an option. Yes, La Stella went down with an injury this year – likely because he had atrophied so much by being wasted on the bench in Chicago, haha, but in the 79 games he played as a starter in LA he hit .296 with a .348 OBP. Wouldn’t mind that at the top of the order. Even in the limited ABs as a pinch hitter with the Cubs, over his 4 years here he managed to hit .273 with a .356 OBP in VERY limited ABs. Not even considered an option as a starter at 2B and the lead off hitter they desperately needed. Instead…… Maddon plugs Schwarber…. and then Rizzo in the leadoff spot. The guy is a fool. Overrated beyond belief. “Cubs let Maddon Go”……. bout da** time is my reaction. I’ve been ready for this for the last 4.5 years. Seriously think Renteria could’ve done everything Maddon has done. And he’d cost a fraction of what they paid Maddon.
Nice book
it was blah……………………….. and more……………………..
It started too slow. Didn’t hook me.
My eyes rolled in the back of my head!
KB, impressive. Someone must have slipped a smartphone into your cell at the mental institution. How’d you manage to type the fruit bat post with a straight jacket on though?
Gonna wait for the movie of this instead of reading it. No spoilers please!
You gotta be kidding to think anyone would read that long eyesore of a comment. Boy you really wasted your time on that one
You need to see a psychologist.
Thanks for the manifesto. Someone obviously has way too much time on his hands.
Managers/coaches in professional sports get too much blame and too much credit sometimes. Cubs performance has declined every year since 2016. Theo assembled some on the team that are grossly overpaid and that goes ignored way too often. 2nd highest payroll in MLB and with all these “budding superstars” are they can’t even make the playoffs?!?!?!
Bring back Ozzie to Chicago. Nah I’m kidding
Off to Pittsburgh
Just in the Chi-Soxs fired their manager and will announce the hiring of Joe Maddon…
( If that were to happen I bet Rick Renteria would go postal! )
The White Sox next manager is going to be AJ Pierzynski.
I actually believe Joe goes to California and finishes his career there. My choice for next manager for the Cubs is Mark Loretta…
What is so great about Mark Lorretta taking over? I am just curious.
Cheap and a yes man
that’s eppler!
Big “no thanks” to milk toast Mark. I’m still not even sure if he can speak.
Maddon was fine but way too nice
We need more of a hard nosed manager
Our players turned wimpy and Maddon didn’t kick their butts at all
The end of this season was inexcusable
Yah. The Cubs need someone like David “I Only Have A Job Because Lester Is A Head-case” Ross.
This definitely isn’t true. All the players said he will dig into them, when needed.
Angels
I know this might seem crazy but I actually think if the Dodgers don’t win the WS this season they could bring in Masson and let Roberts go.
I have the same thought of a Maddon reunion with Friedman in LA.
*maddon…sorry, my phone likes to change things on me and I sometimes don’t check because it’s not something you’d think they’d try to change lol
@wordonthestreet…Yea I feel like it’s been something they’ve wanted for a while and I think it’s a real possibility.
If John Middleton has any leftover “stupid money,” the first chunk ought to go to land Joe Madden.
Please Jerry! Please. Bring him to Seattle!
That would be a good call, but Jerry doesn’t want a manager who thinks. He wants a minion who does his bidding.
Thank you Joe!
Yeah, Cubs getting to work on that new curse. Are they going for a 216 year curse? How do you fire the manager that broke the longest World Series curse in baseball?
He wasn’t fired. his contract just wasn’t renewed.
Come home to Anaheim, Joe. In one year, Brad Ausmus has made me really appreciate the job Mike Scoiscia did. Say what you want about Sosh, but he got the most out of mediocre to bad teams. Ausmus is just a plug=in, by the book manager who mindlessly follows dumb trends like using an opener. He had a bad team and made them worse.
opener may have not worked well but with so many starters either getting injured or recovering he needed them.
What evidence do you have to support your idea that the opener is dumb when contenders are using the same strategy? I lost count of how many times the Rays have used it.
Damn straight. Ausmus is a front office guy. Angels hire Madden.
It a fan of Joe really or Theo but I just watched their interview on the Cubs game together. Very respectful and classy on both ends. I’m sure some Cubs fans will miss him and some will say good riddance, but regardless he did do something no other manager in our lifetime has done. Managed a Cubs World Series championship.
Hello padres
angels all the way!
Good luck, Padres.
Joe Madden to SF & Buck Showalter to San Diego
Buck is done.
Joe Madden Joe Girardi or Buck Showalter will be the next Mets Manager
Love to see JOE MADDON come to the Rangers.
Perhaps the greatest collapse since the 1969 Cubs.
Too many mistakes on the base paths. Too many errors in the field. Inconsistent pitching. Really inconsistent hitting. Questionable trades and free agent signings.
There is reasonable blame to be shouldered by Mr. Epstein, Mr. Maddon, and the players. Time to get over it and move on.
Frank Selee, the great Manager who built the super team Boston Beaneaters (Braves) of the 1890s is the Manager that took over the pathetic Chicago Orphans and built the super team Cubs. He was fired in 1905 and Frank Chance took over and went on to contend until the team Selee built dissipated.
The front office feels its time for a lesser Manager. Joe Maddon is the model for thinking outside the box. He can get the best from a team but, sometimes over manages. In 2016, he managed one of the best 5-man pitching staffs ever. I think Dave Roberts uses a form of Maddon’s model
This just goes to show the average cubs fan is a fickle bunch. Maddon helps to create a championship culture with a loser organization, then confidently steers the ship to a championship and the winningest run in cubs history. cubs fans promptly turn on him when Theo’s roster moves turn them into an average team seemingly overnight. No established manager should ever take a job with that organization again.
Especially considering what they did to Renteria and the guy before him. Epstein must be made of teflon.
Oh now you like Maddon?
When have I not liked Maddon? I’ve been criticizing Theo Epstein all year long. Maddon did an excellent job with an overrated roster and numerous injuries over the past few years. No other manager would have accomplished more than Joe did with this screwed up roster.
I’m thinking that the Pirates make a play since Joe’s a Pennsylvania guy and the at least somewhat unexpected Hurdle firing got announced an hour after this happened.
Cubs have talent, just not the attitude. Too many whiners i.e. Bryant, Rizzo, et al. Cannot win that way.
Whiners? What the hell are you talking about? You are clearly lacking in baseball knowledge.
Joe Girardi, here we come!
Maddon has been the most overrated manager of the last 15 years
How so? For example, I’d say prior to this year it was amazing that Mike Scoscia was in his job for as long as he was.
He will go to Padres and once again take all the credit for a bunch of young talent just like he did in Tampa and Chicago. He was the manager that was there to end the 108 year drought so he will always have that, but the team won despite his shortcomings. Always thought he was bottom 3 in all of baseball as a skipper. Long overdue, hopefully they bring someone in that can reel in those spoiled players and play some solid fundamental ball. Girardi or Farrell would be my bet.
Haha too funny. Ok so he just happened to be the manager there at the end of the 108 year period of never winning a championship.
Like anyone who managed the Cubs would have had the same result?
Of course no manager of the Cubs for that past 108 year period, and there were plenty of them, got so “lucky” to just be there. Too funny but keep telling yourself that and maybe you will make yourself believe it.
Cubs win at least one more without Maddon. All the pajama parties and dress up days couldn’t make up for his mistakes with the pitching staff and lack of fundamentals.
The success of 2016 lies a lot more with Theo than it does with Maddon. He pulled out every stop and drained the farm to have the biggest collection of talent in the majors. Maddon made his fair share of bad managerial moves but the stockpile of talent allowed him to overcome those bad decisions and win anyways.
Bottom 3, what a laugh.
Joe Maddon is overrated and almost cost the Cubs the 2016 World Series which the Cubs won in spite of Madden. The Cubs should hire Joe Giardi.
The narrative that the Cubs won the 2016 World Series despite Joe Maddon is one pursued by the uneducated casual baseball fan that does not understand the game.
Without Joe Maddon the Cubs never even get to the World Series let alone win it. He was also the manager down 3-1 in best of 7 having to win 3 in a row including 2 on the road against the Indians and Terry Francona and did it! but sure keep thinking he was out managed.
Its Joe Maddon. Who is Madden?
Maddon has got to manage Ohtani.
My God it’s so easy for fan-atics to criticize what they don’t know. Maddon is a bad manager..Who is available that is better?
No one is available who is better than future HOF manager Joe Maddon
A team that loses a game that has playoff implications 9 – 0 shows it’s true character. Get some players that give a crap rather than blame the manager. Last game of the year of not should not matter. It’s a privilege to play professional baseball. Act like you care!
@david722. It had no playoff implications for the Cubs. Most of the regulars did not play and Holland started the game. Your comment makes no sense. Joe would be best with a small market team that needs to stir up a little magic. You don’t need to play Bryant like a Swiss Army knife all over the field. The leadoff spot is extremely overrated. Just put someone there and go! The Cubs clearly underachieved, but you have to question many of the front office moves. They will be in the mix again next year. The real pain comes after 2021 when all the big names are free agents. I expect Ross to manage the Cubs and Joe to certainly have a managerial job next year.
I realize no playoff implications for Cubs, but fans paid and it affected Cards. All year Cub players play with an entitlement. Maddon pays the price. If front office underachieved why scapegoat Maddon?
Because Theo didn’t want to fire himself..
Mets baby!
Maddon goes to the Angels or Padres, Girardi goes to the Cubs.
I’ve read some of the dopiest things ever from cubs fans today. Seems most of them think Maddon had no role in the cubs recent success. If that’s do, then a new manager won’t matter at all, since the players are sooo good. What a joke.
*If that’s TRUE
Clint Hurdle has accepted the position as Cubs Manager. Lol
Please no.
Well, it’ll be another 100+ years until the Cubs win another World Series….don’t worry, Cubs fans, that’s still better than my Mariners…
I hope the cubs go after a young, innovative hungry young manager rather the same old previously fired experienced guy. Look at what the Twins have done with Rocco Baldelli – unproven guy gets a chance and has everyone in that clubhouse believing!
Maybe Cubs need a guy who can cuddle up and say nice things to Darvish to strengthen that fragile ego?
Joe Maddon’s next top possibilities and my thoughts:
Padres = good move for both parties
Phillies (likely fire their manager) = great fit for both parties. Can he get Harper to be more than just stats and hype?
Mets (likely fire manager only if they can land a big name) = This would be a bad move. That is an inept franchise. Maddon’s name would be ruined completely. It’s like coaching the Knicks, with the same media and fandom problems. Ask Phil Jackson.
Angels = More of a favor for the Angels. A bit of a gamble for Maddon.
Dodgers (keep an eye open if they lose again) = Best fit for him. He has connections there and they are prime to win it all with the right tweaks in personnel (on or off the field).