Levine: Joe Maddon Savors His 1st Victory With Cubs
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A chilly April Wednesday afternoon became a monumental day for Joe Maddon, as he joined the ranks of victorious Chicago Cubs managers in his team's 2-0 afternoon victory over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
A well-traveled baseball man and the 54th manager in the Cubs' 139-year history, Maddon laid claim to that first victory behind a shutout performance from starter Jake Arrieta and the solid Cubs bullpen.
After the game, Maddon was reminded of his first managerial win with Tampa Bay in 2006 -- which he thought was a 3-0 result but was actually 2-0, just like Wednesday's result.
"As the manager of the Rays, (the first win) was a three-nothing game," Maddon said, recalling a 2006 win with Tampa Bay. "Mark Hendickson pitched, and we won 3-0. I was hoping for the same final score. I thought that would be a nice omen. Very wonderful feeling and very happy for the guys. I saw all of the players very business-like before the game."
In that response, you could see some of the magic that's worked for Maddon in leading a team. Instead of running with the question about what the first Cubs win means to him, Maddon turned the attention and the focus on the team.
"Hopefully the first of many to come," Maddon said. "I like our guys, I like the way they are playing and going about their business."
After nine years in the American League with Tampa, the small ball National League style of play is right up the alley of the creative Maddon, who has impressed his young team with the way he treats them as men and gives them freedom to play.
"It is not about me," Maddon said. "I told the guys that before we left from Phoenix. I told them you need to repeat this to yourself -- 'It is not about me.' If you do that, you check in your ego at the door. My message if it's not about you, then we have a really good chance of winning this season."
Maddon has Chicago in the palm of his hands. After five consecutive losing seasons for the Cubs, the city can be Maddon's oyster. The 60-year-old Maddon has a beautiful way of relating to people in the moment. That style isn't just an act or a gimmick but rather a sincere approach to listening and relating to the individual he happens to be interacting with.
"There is a lot you can say about Joe," said Arrieta, who threw seven shutout innings in the victory. "The most important thing he does for us is keep the group loose. There are so many situations in this game where it is easy to get uptight, nervous or apprehensive. He has a way of relaying messages that help you put your mind at ease or be more comfortable in situations. That is going to be huge for us, in particular for the young guys not feeling like they have to press where the pressure seems to elevate."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
