60-year-old Joe Maddon has just signed a five-year contract worth $25 million to manage the Chicago Cubs. His job will be to guide this team to a World Series title since 1908.
Maddon was the manager for the Tampa Bay Rays for nine seasons and holds a 754-705 record. Maddon chose to opt-out of his contract, and then chose to sign with the Cubs. However, many thought that he would take a year off.
"This was just an amazing opportunity to pass up", Maddon said. He has become the 54th manager in Cubs history, and the fifth manager since 2010. The Cubs haven't been a stable organization, but with the hiring of Maddon, they hope they can get back into playoff contention.
Maddon has been coaching for over 20 years in the majors that started in 1993, with the Angels under Mike Scioscia. "Anything less than the playoffs is unacceptable", the former Rays manager said. Maddon wants to set high goals for his team, and is already talking World Series.
Personally, Joe Maddon should have stayed in Tampa Bay and tried to win a title there. He has unfinished business with that team, but somethings in life just runs its course.
The Cubs fans couldn't be more happier that they've landed a winner that is a two-time AL Manager of the Year, and a manager that took a lowly Tampa Bay team to the World Series in 2008. There's hope back in the windy city.
If somehow Maddon can take this team to the World Series within his five-year tenure and win, he would be carried into the Hall of Fame by the city of Chicago. It's unlikely, but that's why we love sports for these type of transactions.
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