Chicago Cubs: Joe Maddon should not be on the hot seat
The Chicago Cubs were once a laughing stock in MLB, but things started to change once they signed former Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.
The Cubs went to the World Series in 2016 and beat Cleveland in seven games. He also lead the North Siders to the NLCS three times in the four years he has been at the helm of their clubhouse.
Now entering his fifth year with the Cubs, Maddon is trying to guide his team off of a 95 win season and a wild card loss to the Colorado Rockies.
Folks are saying Maddon should be on the hot seat, which a joke if you look at the number wins the Cubs have under his watch.
Chicago is loaded with talent and the currently feature a rotation that includes Cole Hamels, Kyle Hendricks (just signed a 4-year contract extension through 2023), Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, and Yu Darvish.
Maddon knows how to manage a baseball game and he has brought winning to a franchise that was pathetic under Dale Sveum and Rick Renteria.
Chicago has a core group of players who are under contract for a long time. It would be embarrassing for the Cubs to mess up their winning formula by getting rid of a manager who is the best in the business.
If Chicago can improve their bullpen, then it’s hard to imagine them not being favorites to represent the NL in the Fall Classic.
Players have enjoyed playing for Maddon and he has a history of staying calm under pressure. What else can you want from your manager?
The Cubs have won 97, 103, 92 and 95 games in his first four years as the Cubs manager.
The Hazleton native has brought a fun, relaxed and winning culture and so if the Cubs feel as though they can replace him, then go ahead and try. They’ll regret it later.
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
