Joe Maddon Changing the Culture of the Chicago Cubs

Everything about the Chicago Cubs over the past 100 or so years has been nice. It seems that not since the days of Joe Tinker and Johnny Evers (they’ve been known to be at odds with each other) has there been someone that was respected in the clubhouse that also had a strong backbone.

Enter Joe Maddon.

Everyone knew that Maddon’s resume would immediately demand respect. Everyone knew him just being in the dugout for 162 games would improve this Cubs team. Did everyone know to this extent though?

It seemed everyone had the impression that Maddon was a nice guy, made things fun in the clubhouse with dress-up road trips or by wearing football helmets to post-game press conferences. What some didn’t know was Joe’s grip on the team and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win ballgames. 670 The Score’s baseball reporter, Bruce Levine, calls it the “take-no-prisoners approach” to managing games.

That approach has been a lightning rod for the Cubs this season, especially in close ballgames.

“I am used to close games,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after his team’s 11th walk-off win of this season. “Where I came from in the past, there was a lot of that. There were a lot of low-scoring games, one-run games. I come into the game on a nightly basis expecting it. You’re (the media) not privy to the dugout itself, how hard guys are constantly in the game, involved in the game. When you win these types of games, it really does help you get through (the dog days) and into September.”

Whether Joe decided to pull starting pitcher Jason Hammel after just 65 pitches, benching Starlin Castro, or his trend of batting the pitcher eighth, Joe is willing to do whatever it takes to win every day, even if it upsets his players.

“I am certain he will be upset,” Maddon said. “I expect him to be upset. I am happy he will be upset.”

“From my perspective, where I am sitting, it’s not about being nice. It’s about trying to do the right thing at the right moment.”

This is reminiscent of the old school coaches and managers. While I’m sure he cares about the guys in the clubhouse, feelings don’t enter into his thought process when making coaching decisions. And they shouldn’t.

The Cubs are in the midst of their first winning record since the 2009 season. The right players and the right mindset are part of the reason, but Joe’s win at all costs approach is clearly becoming the most important factor.

“These games (in the streak) have really helped us,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “We have gotten into the strong mentality of, ‘we can do this.’ All year we have been grinding, and right now with this nice little run, everyone feels good about it.”

Even guys like Starlin Castro, a three-time all-star, who lost the starting shortstop job to rookie Addison Russell last week, is on board with the Maddon-express.

“It doesn’t matter where they put me,” Castro said. “I just want to play. I just want to be in the lineup. It doesn’t matter if it’s at second or short.”

This attitude will continue to be contagious. With Anthony Rizzo, the team’s emotional leader on the field, and long-time Cub Castro voicing their positive messages, others will certainly follow.

Will Maddon’s approach lead the Cubs to the postseason? A deep playoff run? Perhaps even further? That’s yet to be seen, but it will certainly be exciting to watch it play out.

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