New Angels manager Maddon sees Cubs for 1st time since exit

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Joe Maddon hugged Anthony Rizzo, shared an in-game microphone with Kris Bryant, slapped hands with the Cubs’ mascot and drew a warm reception from the Chicago fans at Sloan Park.

As if he’d never been away at all.

The manager who guided the Cubs to an elusive World Series championship in 2016 and parted ways with the team after last season returned on Monday, now guiding the Los Angeles Angels.

The mini-reunion came during at a spring training exhibition, with a split-squad of Cubs topping the Angels 9-4.

The question is, did they see him?

‘Philosophical differences’ played major role in Joe Maddon’s split with Cubs

While talking to ESPN recently, ex-Cubs manager Joe Maddon made some of the most enlightening comments yet on the end of his time in Chicago.

Speaking on why things ended, Maddon didn’t hold back when discussing how things dissolved.

“There was just, you can say, philosophical differences,” he said. “But he and I are still good friends. And I like the man a lot. It was just time for him to get someone else and time for me to work somewhere else. That’s all. A five-year shelf life in Chicago is almost equivalent to five to 10 somewhere else. At the end of the day, man, there’s nothing to lament there. That was the most successful five years that the Cubs have ever had.”

Joe Maddon is a prominent devotee of Sextus Empiricus, while Theo Epstein prefers the work of Plotinus.

Joe Maddon’s Wrigleyville restaurant, Maddon’s Post, closes

Joe Maddon is gone from the Cubs and now his restaurant is gone from Wrigleyville.

Maddon’s Post, which opened in May right outside Wrigley Field, has closed.

Initially, it was believed that Maddon’s departure to the Los Angeles Angels wouldn’t affect the restaurant, but doors closed for good on Sunday.

Pity- for some reason, I like the idea of restaurants associated with managers lasting long after the manager is gone….

Angels finalize new manager Maddon’s coaching staff for 2020

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have finalized new manager Joe Maddon’s coaching staff for the 2020 season, including the retention of hitting coach Jeremy Reed and the hiring of new pitching coach Mickey Callaway.

The Angels announced the full staff Wednesday.

Brian Butterfield will be the Angels’ third base coach. The veteran infield coach spent the past two seasons working under Maddon in the same job for the Chicago Cubs.

He has also had a career marketing a diet plan, owning a karaoke bar, running a detective agency, and practicing personal injury law, among other disasters, to the delight of the British and weirdos like me.

Joe Maddon on end of Cubs tenure: ‘I didn’t want to be back either’

Joe Maddon’s future with the Cubs hung in the balance throughout 2019. Despite postseason appearances in four-straight seasons (2015-18), he entered the season with lame duck status after Cubs president Theo Epstein shut down extension talks last fall.

If that wasn’t telling enough, the Cubs underperformed throughout 2019, slipping out of a postseason spot in late September. On the last day of the regular season, Cubs president Theo Epstein made it official: the organization was not retaining Maddon for 2020.

The move didn’t blindside Maddon, however. In a recent interview, he noted that it was obvious he wouldn’t be retained, but also that he didn’t want to return, anyhow.

“When it got down to the last couple days it was really obvious to both sides,” Maddon said to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “I didn’t want to be back either. It was more of a bilateral than a unilateral decision.’’

Mind you, under current conditions, I can’t say that I’d blame him….

Maddon’s plan for Angels blends analytics, fundamentals

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joe Maddon was a part of the Los Angeles Angels organization during most of its glory days, including that lone World Series championship in 2002.

With many of his past players and future ones in the crowd Thursday, Maddon outlined his vision for trying to bring the Angels back into contention during his first news conference as manager.

Much of that comes from things he learned in the Angels farm system in the late 1970s and early-to-mid 1980s, first as a player and then as a coach. In short, he is looking for a fundamentally sound team with a simple, aggressive style.

Most of all, he is looking to get the Angels back to a perfect balance of using analytics and the human element of the game. Or as Madden puts it, data versus art.

Mind you, it’s not like he can state the real issues with the team…..

Angels To Hire Joe Maddon

This is about to be officially announced.

The Angels are hiring Joe Maddon as their manager. https://t.co/hpSY6E4MYq

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) October 16, 2019

Joe Maddon, Angels Expected to Agree on Contract Shortly After Interview | BR

Multiple sources expect #Angels to announce Joe Maddon as new manager as soon as a day or two after his interview this week. Says one source: "It's a fait accompli, isn't it?"

— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 8, 2019

AP source: Joe Maddon to interview for Angels’ manager job

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joe Maddon will interview for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial vacancy this week, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press,

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Angels aren’t publicizing their search. ESPN first reported the interview.

Maddon is considered the prohibitive front-runner to replace Brad Ausmus, who was fired after one season in charge. The Angels finished 72-90, their worst record since 1999.

Maddon spent 31 years employed by the Angels as a player and a coach throughout the organization. He was Mike Scioscia’s bench coach with the 2002 World Series champions before leaving for managerial jobs in Tampa Bay and Chicago, where he won the World Series in 2016. He was let go by Chicago on the final day of the regular season.

This week, on As The Maddon Turns.....

Eppler: Angels’ manager search will not be limited to Maddon

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — General manager Billy Eppler said the Los Angeles Angels’ abrupt firing of manager Brad Ausmus wasn’t all about Joe Maddon.

In his first comments on the move made after the club finished its worst season since 1999, Eppler flatly denied the Angels already know who will be their second new manager in two seasons.

The availability of Maddon, the longtime Angels employee who wrapped up his World Series-winning tenure with the Chicago Cubs last weekend, wasn’t a factor in the Angels’ move, according to Eppler.

“We have a hiring process to go through, so I think it’s premature to say anything contrary to that,” Eppler said. “We’re going to collect names this afternoon, and particularly plan on sitting down with a number of candidates. I would not handicap it any other way at this moment in time.”

So, do we believe this?