Grote: Explaining Joe Maddon's Disdain For The Word 'Development'

By Mark Grote--

(CBS) Homemade phrases and hipster words regularly flow from the mouth of Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

"The relentless execution of fundamentals and technique" is one that is rapidly making its way up the charts, but one should never associate that concept with one decidedly unhip word.

"I really don't like to use the word 'development,'" Maddon said. "I think that's an excuse."

"Development" has been used countless times to describe this version of the Chicago Cubs, considering that guys like Addison Russell, Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler are all being allowed to play through rookie mistakes and errors in the name of -- pardon the phrase -- "developing" their games at the big league level.

"For a player to constantly hear that he is being developed almost gives him an out to not perform on a nightly basis," Maddon said. "I want them to go out there and help us do something to win tonight."

No Cubs player is bombarded with the word "development" more than the 21-year old Russell. He's a natural shortstop attempting to make the transition to second base. It has been a far from flawless process and quite adventuresome at times, especially on potential double play balls, yet he too is allergic to the word.

"I'm here for a reason," Russell said. "Everybody should be held accountable, no matter what age. There's no excuses when it comes to making an error, but hopefully during the game you get to redeem yourself or a teammate will pick you up."

Maddon worked with minor leaguers for 31 years in a past baseball life with the Angels organization as a scout, hitting instructor and manager. Even at that level, Maddon refused to patronize his subjects with such a word.

"I hated it in the minor leagues," Maddon said. "I never talked to players in the minor leagues about being developed. Never."

Keeping usage of that word down to a minimum is probably a wise idea in this Cubs clubhouse. Jon Lester didn't commit the rest of his productive baseball lifespan to Wrigleyville to be part of a project, and Maddon himself would likely never have left his king-like status in the cushy confines of Tamp Bay if he didn't see well beyond a rebuild. Dexter Fowler endured a nursery-school atmosphere in Houston last year, and he has to consider his pending free agency.

In other words, they all want to win now, not later.

"The talent they brought up is definitely big league ready," Fowler said. "Their learning curve is going to be pretty short considering the caliber of talent they have."

So, feel free abide by the manager's blockbuster hits, such as "Never allow the pressure to exceed the pleasure" and "If it feels right, rock it."

But for the love of Joe Maddon, please don't use any variation of "develop."

Mark Grote is the Cubs pregame and postgame host on WBBM. Follow him on Twitter @markgrotesports.