Emma: There Are Few Like Joe Maddon
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Thanks to manager Joe Maddon, the Cubs lead baseball in perspective.
Maddon is one of the most thoughtful, well-balanced personalities in all of sports, a leader who eases the grind of a 162-game season with hijinks like raucous victory parties in the clubhouse, an appearance from Simon the Magician in New York and even a book for rookie shortstop Addison Russell.
At Maddon's introductory press conference last November, he was asked about high stakes of taking a job that's crushed many before him.
"Don't ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure," Maddon replied.
Even the most gut-wrenching losses haven't gotten Maddon down. There has been no Lee Elia rant, and there surely won't be ever. Maddon is passionate about living life to the fullest.
Following the Cubs' tough 5-3 extra-inning loss on Friday, Maddon spent time visiting with his son, who's visiting from Phoenix. He later took his prized '72 Chevelle for a joy ride with the top down and breeze flowing.
Somewhat remarkably, each time Maddon is asked about overcoming the adversity of a rough loss or losing streak, he has a new response of proper perspective. He did it again on Saturday.
"We are a bunch of kids," Maddon said. "I hope we never grow up. I want to be Peter Pan for the rest of my life."
The Cubs blew it on Friday. They had a 3-2 lead entering the ninth inning against the Phillies, who own the worst record in baseball. They left 10 runners on base and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. And Jason Motte blew the save in the ninth, then Rafael Soriano gave up a two-run homer in the 10th inning.
Maddon referred to a 30-minute grieving process before throwing it away. And when the grieving subsided, he walked to his Chevelle in the parking lot and introduced his son to Motte, who couldn't have been more warm, even despite the blown save.
"If you want to take it too seriously -- this is not life and death, this is fun and games, it really is," Maddon said.
Pure skill trumps everything else in winning baseball games (of course), but the intangibles like team morale make a difference, too.
What the Cubs have in Maddon is a man who created a culture simply by being himself. Players can be comfortable with each day, whether it brings a win or loss.
"It's hard to be good over an extended period of time if you don't approach the day properly," Maddon said.
This Cubs team is working through Year 1 of a window for contention. It's filled with promising young talents who are learning, growing and often struggling on the fly. The environment that Maddon has created is one in which players can thrive.
Maddon's thoughtful mindset makes a difference for the Cubs.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
