Who will be the manager? no Ryno talk version

[MrCub14]

LOL what a clown. I like this guy already. I'm on board. As long as he can bring us CJ Wilson! Garza/Wilson/Dempster/Zambrano could be a brutal 1-4 with Mike's ability to squeeze every ounce of ability out of his pitchers. He is the only interviewed candidate so far that I'm excited about. Mackanin, Sveum, and Alomar don't do anything for me. Set up an interview with Dave Martinez, or lock it up with Maddux.

[Guest]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-maddux-interviews-with-cubs-alomar-on-deck-20111109,0,4760532.story

 

Maddux said he would have to weigh family matters if the Cubs offer him the job. He said he's been with his wife and two daughters in Texas since June, the first time in three years that's happened. He said he and Greg spoke about the Cubs' job, and Greg told him about the organization. As for Greg's possible role with the team if Mike was hired, Mike said it was a "private family matter."

 

Mike Maddux conceded he would be "bluffing" if he said he knew the Cubs' staff, though he liked having a couple of 200-inning caliber pitchers in Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster.

 

Asked how he would handle Carlos Zambrano, he said: "First thing you've got to do is meet him. I heard he's a big teddy bear. Might take him up and just burp him."

 

Zambrano is a big man, of course.

 

"Strong back, baby," Maddux said.

 

Maddux said Zambrano was the "best thing since sliced bread" when he saw him seven-eight years ago, calling him the "best pitcher in the National League" at the time.

 

"That's what I have in my mind about him," he said. "I've seen him dominate."

 

Why does Maddux think the Cubs have not won in so long?

 

"When I was with the opposition, I did everything I could to keep the Cubs from winning," he said. "I never sat here and analyzed it... I always admired everything, from the crowd to.. I despised the song, 'Go, Cubs, Go.' But I've always admired this town. it's a very, very unique setup, and a historic park. Whoever becomes the manager of this ballclub is in a good spot."

 

When Maddux got up to leave, the cameramen asked for him to stop for a shot. Maddux stopped, did a quick turn like a fashion model and left the room.

[AI]

We are really going to miss him here in TX.

[Guest]

Assuming Maddux is open minded about the analytical side of the game (not the goofy situational stats stuff mackanin was talking about, either) and not big on giving away outs, I'm sold.

[Old Style]

On his impression of Theo Epstein and company, "I can't do an impression of them".

 

I laughed.

Well played, Mr. Maddux.

[davell]

I'm pretty sure Maddux is gonna be our guy.

[Old Style]

Judging by some of those answers he may just be crazy enough to get Zambrano back to form. He could be Phil's Zen Master to Z's Rodman.

[El Duderino]

he had me at hating "Go Cubs Go"

[Guest]

FWIW, before you guys have too much fun with that quote, he was basically saying he hated it because it meant that his team lost.

[Old Style]

FWIW, before you guys have too much fun with that quote, he was basically saying he hated it because it meant that his team lost.

Shhh, let them have their moment.

[Guest]

Wittenmyer making a good point...

 

http://www.suntimes.com/8696926-417/mike-maddux-methods-attractive-to-cubs.html

 

More than communication skills and a reputation for outside-the-box thinking, Maddux also has gained notoriety for conditioning and maintenance programs that have helped keep his key pitchers healthy.

 

Cubs president Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and others in the game consider pitching injuries the next Moneyball frontier to conquer, the market inefficiency that will create a competitive advantage for any team that systematically reduces an injury rate that has gone largely unchanged for decades.

 

Maddux, the third candidate to interview with the Cubs, is the only pitching coach among the known candidates, the only one who seems to fit this new-generation mold. Former infielders Pete Mackanin and Dale Sveum have interviewed, and team sources confirmed Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., a former catcher, is scheduled later this week.

 

“Since I’ve been with him, he certainly has a program for all his pitchers, both starting pitchers and relievers,’’ Washington said of Maddux. “Every day he makes them accountable for making sure they’re prepared [to work] and for what may happen that day during the course of the ballgame.

 

“I haven’t seen many guys that decipher things and get prepared as much as Mike does, and the way the Texas Rangers have come along with the pitching staff is a testament to that.”

 

 

He oversaw the successful conversions from bullpen to rotation of C.J. Wilson in 2010 and Alexi Ogando this past season, and the Rangers’ staff got an incredible 157 starts from its primary five starters.

 

“It’s really more old-school,” Washington said. “He and [Rangers president] Nolan Ryan believe the more you throw the baseball, the stronger the arm becomes and the more you can control it.’’

 

That means throwing batting practice between spring-training starts and following a strict between-starts throwing program during the season.

 

Maddux, a journeyman reliever with 15 seasons in the big leagues, also is an expert with pitching mechanics, Jaramillo said, which “has a lot to do with saving pitchers’ arms.”

[MrCub14]

Not to mention that he completely snubbed Cherington and the Sox. That put him over the top for me. Wouldn't even give them an interview. I love that. I'm sure Theo does too.

[javy knows my name]

Cubs president Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and others in the game consider pitching injuries the next Moneyball frontier to conquer, the market inefficiency that will create a competitive advantage for any team that systematically reduces an injury rate that has gone largely unchanged for decades.

 

Goosebumps.

 

Think he's the preferred guy to get Cashner stretched out? I sure do.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Okay, I'm sold on Maddux. At least until the next candidate has some cool quotes.

[C.C.]

Might as well set the press conference. Looks like it's a slam dunk that he's our next manager.

 

100%

[ctcf]

Wow Maddux is legitimately funny.

[Guest]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/65973837/News/Mike-Maddux-wants-to-join-the-Cubs

 

some snippets of video from his PC

[shnsajax]

Maddux could make me want to try Z for another year.

[brinoch]

That was really funny.

[Clem Fandango]

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2011/11/excerpts-from-maddux-interview/

 

I think if the media has their say then Maddux is a shoe-in.

 

On how to handle Carlos Zambrano, "I heard he's a big teddy bear. I might just pick him up and burp him."

On why Chicago over Boston, "Chicago's a neat place."

On his impression of Theo Epstein and company, "I can't do an impression of them".

He "hates" the song, "Go Cubs Go"

About what kind of manager he'd be, "I'd be a guy that would trust his players. Being demanding, hold them accountable. That's the big thing."

ESPN's JonGreenberg had this to say, "Maddux has made us laugh several times. Also given us a lot of "what the eff" looks."

 

I think that's my favorite part

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I am officially on the Maddux bandwagon.

[Shilzzz]

you know what, if he can turn samardzija and cashner into durable, reliable starters, well, then, the cubs begin to find a way out from under their bad contracts, and the window to win opens sooner, stays open longer.

[Brian]

I haven't had a preference for managers, and am of the opinion that whoever Epstein/Hoyer choose is the right choice. But I am starting to like Maddux.

[SouthSideRyan]

you know what, if he can turn samardzija and cashner into durable, reliable starters, well, then, the cubs begin to find a way out from under their bad contracts, and the window to win opens sooner, stays open longer.

 

The Cubs bad contracts after this season being Alfonso Soriano.

[Elrhino]

you know what, if he can turn samardzija and cashner into durable, reliable starters, well, then, the cubs begin to find a way out from under their bad contracts, and the window to win opens sooner, stays open longer.

 

The Cubs bad contracts after this season being Alfonso Soriano.

 

And whatever pitcher we have to overpay to bring in this offseason.