Levine: Cubs Fans Will Love The Maddon Way

By Bruce Levine-

(CBS) -- Joe Maddon will appeal to Wrigley faithful both young and old as he gets rolling on the task of winning championships as the Cubs' new manager.

For many seasons, this man has been anything but traditional in his approach to baseball and life itself.

"I don't get down," Maddon said. "I can if my kids are having a bad day. That would be about it. I am pretty fortunate. I think I have earned some of the fortunate  components of my life, but at the end of the day, if you're in this position and you're upset about some trivial stuff, somebody should smack you."

That is just a mere tidbit from the pearls of wisdom that this 60-year-old yogi spews when he gets on a cosmic roll. In being introduced Monday at the Cubby Bear, Maddon won his first press conference with a performance not seen by media types since the days of Casey Stengel in the 1950s and '60s.

Three answers per question from this eclectic man from another universe – that's common. He will answer your question and two more related that are swimming around in the solar system of his advanced brain waves.

You get the feeling that he has plans to spend the $25 million that is owed from his new contract on helping save the homeless and make planet earth a better place to play baseball. Maddon will be the most interesting manager not named Lou or Zim since the time of "Jolly Cholly" Grimm, who managed the Cubs to pennants in two different decades.

Grimm entertained his players with bad banjo renditions, while Maddon uses relaxation reminders and goofy dress-up ventures to keep his players loose.

Less batting practice, less time at the park and more interests outside of baseball are at the top of the Maddon mantra list that he conveys to his players. Charities, social issues and the revival of the sport of boxing are just a few of Maddon's passions in life.

But even the remarkable "World of Maddon" will be challenged by the Cubs' 107-year losing mystic.

"I am not superstitious by nature," Maddon responded to my question about the Cubs hex. "I know a lot of people around here take it seriously. I respect that, but honestly I look at, this is Nov. 3. Now I become the steward of this group. The only tradition I am interested in is if Billy Williams walks out on the field or I meet Mr. (Ernie) Banks. Those are the types of things that are important to me moving forward. That is the tradition I am looking forward to embracing. The other stuff is fun, but I can't really go there."

Hold on to your Cub hats and enjoy the new Maddon ride that will be on display at Clark and Addison beginning April 6, 2015. This attraction may be worth the price of admission alone.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.