Levine: Cubs Credit Joe Maddon For Record-Tying Win
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With a 6-1 victory against the Braves, the Cubs won for a franchise record-tying 17th time in the month of April on Friday. It was the talented Cubs players who won the ballgame, but when it was over, to a man, they credited manager Joe Maddon with the assist for his intervention during this tight contest.
With the score tied 1-1 in the top of the seventh and the Braves having loaded the bases with no outs, Cubs left-hander Jon Lester was facing a tense situation. He'd just fumbled a bunt and was now facing an Atlanta uprising.
Maddon called time and had a visit with his battery of Lester and David Ross.
"That was huge," Ross said. "Joe's visit was so important. Joe played out the situation for him. He said to us, 'Look, you have a left-handed hitter on deck. We are fine. Let's get this guy out, keep making your pitches. We have a left-handed hitter on deck. We can get a double play ball.' He just laid out the game for us. That was a calming factor. Joe is never anxious or has any stress in his voice."
Lester went on to strike out Drew Stubbs and Jace Peterson before inducing Nick Markakis to ground out to first baseman Anthony Rizzo for the third out. Lester was done for the day, receiving a no-decision in allowing one run on seven hits and two walks in seven innings while striking out 10.
"Obviously when the manager comes out, there is one of two things that happen," Lester said. "You are either being taken out of the game or you're getting a pep talk. For me, that was kind of a nice break. It gave me and everybody time to just clear your head. We were able to go back and focus on one pitch and one batter. Obviously, that is a big inning. If they get a hit there or even a walk, the momentum is all on their side."
Maddon magic worked well again in the eighth. After being inserted into left field for defense in the top of the eighth, Matt Szczur hit his first career grand slam in the bottom half to highlight a five-run inning.
"The thing about Joe, after playing against him for so long, how in the hell does he get every one of his players to be so prepared and ready for their role?" Lester said. "They always come up in big situations and succeed. Now that I have been around him for a year and whatever, I understand why. You have Javy Baez and Szczur and a few other guys on the bench. They are always prepared. They are always ready. Szczur comes up to plate in a big moment and changes the whole ballgame.
"Joe does such a good job with our guys. There is no lack of communication. Nobody on that bench is surprised when their name gets called. Joe puts us in the best situation to succeed, night in and night out."
Szczur worked hard to stay on the team this spring after going up and down to the minors six times in 2015.
"Joe is the best," Szczur said, savoring his big moment after getting a Gatorade shower from teammates. "I appreciate him giving me a chance to succeed. I take pride in what I do off of the bench. I think all of our bench players take pride in it. I believe that is why we are doing so well."
The NL Manager of the Year in 2015, Maddon makes $5 million a year as the highest-paid manager in the game. Days like Friday are part of the reason why.
"There is a reason he has won the manager of the year award in both leagues," Ross said. "He is just a great manager. He has a plan for things, and although they sometimes appear to be off of the wall, you learn to trust those things."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
