Grote: Joe Maddon Blew Up On A Writer In 1982 To Protect Mike Rizzo

By Mark Grote--

(CBS) One of the many unique characteristics of Cubs manager Joe Maddon is that he actually seems to enjoy his daily interaction with the media. He embraces questions that challenge his strategy in any given game and has no fear in telling us when he blew it. He likes that part of his job, and he likes us.

Most of us.

It was in 1982 when Maddon was managing in the minor leagues for the Salem Angels. Two of his players at the time now hold top positions in Major League Baseball. Mike Rizzo, born and raised in Chicago, is the general manager of the Washington Nationals, while Kris Kline is Rizzo's top assistant.

"KK had it all going on, Rizzo did not," Maddon said recently. "Rizzo was a hard-nosed, fight-you kind of guy. Just the way he looks, pugnacious."

Maddon was protective of Rizzo and loved his spirit, if not his overall game.

"One game, we were playing in Medford," Maddon said. "We had a bad game, like five errors or whatever, and their local writer there just harpooned us. A lot of it was about Rizzo, and I got upset."

Maddon paused and continued with his story.

"And, I would never do this to you guys, but I threatened the writer, to the point where the league president got involved, and he told me I can't do that," Maddon recalled. "'Really? I can't do that?'"

Maddon told his players that they weren't to talk to the writer for the rest of the year.

"And then we ended up beating them for the championship," Maddon said. "And, I said it's OK to talk to the writer."

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