CMON MAN
http://fansided.com/2015/03/23/joe-maddon-chicago-cubs-shorts-photo/
[h=4]Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was sporting a revealing outfit on Sunday during practice.[/h]
[h=1]Joe Maddon scaring the children with his shorts (photo)[/h]
by Ernie Padaon <time datetime="2015-03-23 9:48 am">9h ago</time>
What is going on with Joe Maddon’s shorts? They seem like they are screaming at him to make a little more room in them. Did he decide to take the shorts from one of his players and tried to squeeze into them? Can he even move in them or is that why he has a funky face in the photo.
Check out the photo of Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon:
http://fansided.com/2015/03/23/joe-maddon-chicago-cubs-shorts-photo/
[h=4]Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon was sporting a revealing outfit on Sunday during practice.[/h]
[h=1]Joe Maddon scaring the children with his shorts (photo)[/h]
by Ernie Padaon <time datetime="2015-03-23 9:48 am">9h ago</time>
What is going on with Joe Maddon’s shorts? They seem like they are screaming at him to make a little more room in them. Did he decide to take the shorts from one of his players and tried to squeeze into them? Can he even move in them or is that why he has a funky face in the photo.
Check out the photo of Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon:
http://www.chicagonow.com/312-sport...od-for-regular-season-but-bad-for-postseason/
[h=2]Is Maddon Good for Regular Season but Bad for Postseason?[/h]
Tweet
By Bob Warja, today at 2:36 pm
Cubs manager Joe Maddon has brought Zen-like qualities to sports like we haven't seen since the days of Phil Jackson. And during baseball long and ardous 162 game schedule, his approach, which borders on the comedic and is intended to relax the guys, is applauded for its calming affect on the team. And rightfully so. But in the postseason, the edge this team now lacks could be a direct result of Joe's inability to be anything more than the player's friends.
Look, all of the pajama themes, mimes and zoo-like atmosphere surrounding the club was all well and good when the Cubs needed a break from the mundane. When they needed to take their mind off baseball, Maddon's approach was one of welcome relief form the drudgery that is the dog days of the long baseball summer.
But now is the time when this team needs to get angry. Just ask Comcast's pre and post-game analyst, Todd Hollandsworth, who told WSCR The Score that the Cubs need to get mad. But it's hard for a tiger to change its stripes. And even if Maddon did try to install that kind of anger in his team, they would see right through it. Maddon has been their friend more than their boss, and they likely wouldn't buy that act from him.
The Cubs bats are silent, and an offensive slump can happen to anyone. But it's the way the Cubs are carrying themselves that bothers me. They are dragging their bats back to the rack, not getting mad, just looking defeated. Anthony Rizzo doesn't show up to talk to reporters after Tuesday night's game and he's supposed to be the team leader? Sure, he's struggling at the plate, but that's when you have to step up and take one for the team, and not hide in the showers.
To his credit, Maddon did try some lineup changes, moving Rizzo down a spot and removing Jason Heyward. But in addition to those guys, Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell are also not hitting, so more changes could be considered. One guy I would play every day is David Ross. He plays with an enthusiasm that is contagious. He's a leader on the team and just being out on the field seems to help the club. Above all, he plays outstanding defense.
I have been concerned about this offense for most of the season. Everyone pointed to all the runs they were scoring, and the run differential, and didn't see that the Cubs were scoring runs when hitting doubles and homers. They didn't do the little things, like move runners over and they left a lot of men on base. And the little things gets magnified in the playoffs, when you're up against top pitchers who don't throw as many cookies.
Another thing we're learning about this team is that they don't like junk ball pitchers. They can't hit the curveball. Which means they can't miss the fastball when it comes in over the plate, yet that's what they're doing.
Now, I'm not saying all of this is Maddon's fault. But someone needs to get in the player's ears and get that spark back. They are in a team-wide funk that requires a virtual slap in the face to get them out of. Someone splash some cold water on these Cubs and wake them up. They need to know they are good but don't all need to be stars. They are all trying to be "the guy" instead of doing those little things.
The Cubs are also so busy trying not to show that they're affected by this slump that they aren't being themselves. They aren't showing the joy and passion for the game that they used to. Granted, you're not going to be in the mood for a happy dance when you're losing, but by trying so hard not to show that it's getting to them, it is actually getting to them even more. All they should care about is being pissed off and ready to kick some butt.
The Cubs offense is built for the regular season. Power slumps, but it's ok because in the course of a long season those slumps even out. However, in a short series things don't have time to even out. It's almost as if there needs to be two Cubs teams—one built for the regular season and one more conducive to winning in the postseason.
Meanwhile, just like there's a need for two Cubs teams, there may be a need for two Joe Maddons. That isn't possible of course, but it goes to show how difficult winning a World Series truly is. The Cubs are the best regular season team but may not be the best postseason team. Just like Maddon is a great regular season manager but may not be the best postseason manager.
Hopefully, the cubs will start to hit again and all will be right in the Cubs world. If not, well, there's always next year I guess. But there is time to turn it around and that time starts tonight—Game 4. A must win, of course, and one I do believe the Cubs can win. I have not given up on this team and neither should you.
But nothing good ever comes easy.
[h=2]Is Maddon Good for Regular Season but Bad for Postseason?[/h]
Tweet
By Bob Warja, today at 2:36 pm
Cubs manager Joe Maddon has brought Zen-like qualities to sports like we haven't seen since the days of Phil Jackson. And during baseball long and ardous 162 game schedule, his approach, which borders on the comedic and is intended to relax the guys, is applauded for its calming affect on the team. And rightfully so. But in the postseason, the edge this team now lacks could be a direct result of Joe's inability to be anything more than the player's friends.
Look, all of the pajama themes, mimes and zoo-like atmosphere surrounding the club was all well and good when the Cubs needed a break from the mundane. When they needed to take their mind off baseball, Maddon's approach was one of welcome relief form the drudgery that is the dog days of the long baseball summer.
But now is the time when this team needs to get angry. Just ask Comcast's pre and post-game analyst, Todd Hollandsworth, who told WSCR The Score that the Cubs need to get mad. But it's hard for a tiger to change its stripes. And even if Maddon did try to install that kind of anger in his team, they would see right through it. Maddon has been their friend more than their boss, and they likely wouldn't buy that act from him.
The Cubs bats are silent, and an offensive slump can happen to anyone. But it's the way the Cubs are carrying themselves that bothers me. They are dragging their bats back to the rack, not getting mad, just looking defeated. Anthony Rizzo doesn't show up to talk to reporters after Tuesday night's game and he's supposed to be the team leader? Sure, he's struggling at the plate, but that's when you have to step up and take one for the team, and not hide in the showers.
To his credit, Maddon did try some lineup changes, moving Rizzo down a spot and removing Jason Heyward. But in addition to those guys, Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell are also not hitting, so more changes could be considered. One guy I would play every day is David Ross. He plays with an enthusiasm that is contagious. He's a leader on the team and just being out on the field seems to help the club. Above all, he plays outstanding defense.
I have been concerned about this offense for most of the season. Everyone pointed to all the runs they were scoring, and the run differential, and didn't see that the Cubs were scoring runs when hitting doubles and homers. They didn't do the little things, like move runners over and they left a lot of men on base. And the little things gets magnified in the playoffs, when you're up against top pitchers who don't throw as many cookies.
Another thing we're learning about this team is that they don't like junk ball pitchers. They can't hit the curveball. Which means they can't miss the fastball when it comes in over the plate, yet that's what they're doing.
Now, I'm not saying all of this is Maddon's fault. But someone needs to get in the player's ears and get that spark back. They are in a team-wide funk that requires a virtual slap in the face to get them out of. Someone splash some cold water on these Cubs and wake them up. They need to know they are good but don't all need to be stars. They are all trying to be "the guy" instead of doing those little things.
The Cubs are also so busy trying not to show that they're affected by this slump that they aren't being themselves. They aren't showing the joy and passion for the game that they used to. Granted, you're not going to be in the mood for a happy dance when you're losing, but by trying so hard not to show that it's getting to them, it is actually getting to them even more. All they should care about is being pissed off and ready to kick some butt.
The Cubs offense is built for the regular season. Power slumps, but it's ok because in the course of a long season those slumps even out. However, in a short series things don't have time to even out. It's almost as if there needs to be two Cubs teams—one built for the regular season and one more conducive to winning in the postseason.
Meanwhile, just like there's a need for two Cubs teams, there may be a need for two Joe Maddons. That isn't possible of course, but it goes to show how difficult winning a World Series truly is. The Cubs are the best regular season team but may not be the best postseason team. Just like Maddon is a great regular season manager but may not be the best postseason manager.
Hopefully, the cubs will start to hit again and all will be right in the Cubs world. If not, well, there's always next year I guess. But there is time to turn it around and that time starts tonight—Game 4. A must win, of course, and one I do believe the Cubs can win. I have not given up on this team and neither should you.
But nothing good ever comes easy.
