My Choice: Mike Maddux For Cubs Manager

would work. I’m leaning Maddux also, maybe the name recognition more than anything.

Give me Francona.

I originally voted for Dave Martinez but have since changed my mind. McKanin wouldn’t be a bad pick either

Al, you asked if “he’d be a bunt-crazy guy or ask his hitters to be patient.” Isn’t Jaramillo in charge of that a bit?

It would be very important to find a strong bench coach along with a coach that can teach these kids to play game the right way.

I think maddux could do that with the pitchers but Castro and others will need help.

The choice of manager will tell us a great deal about the direction Theo will take the Cubbies.

If he goes with Maddux i think it is safe to say they will try to build this team around young pitching. If the cubs go with a hitting coach I would expect the team to be built around younger bitters and the cubs will buy pitching as they move forward.

Personally I’m with Al here. Maddux could help make average pitchers better than they really are and building this team around pitching would make the most sense for the long run.

All ‘meh’ candidates at this point. Nothing that will get fans fired up going into next season.

But I still trust Theo to make the right choice. He only made one managerial hire in almost a decade with the Red Sox. That is awesome, and exactly what we need here.

… see the photo on this post? While looking through the photo editor for a good picture of Mike Maddux, I noticed that almost all the available photos had him in that pose — right hand on the pitcher’s shoulder. Interesting.

I have to say, I was pretty impressed by Mackanin. No, he’s never gotten a permanent job before, although that logic sounds to me to be a little too much like “If Sandberg were such a good candidate, then why didn’t he get other interviews?”

I’ve been looking at Mackanin’s work with the Reds in 2007. It looks like he did a pretty good job. And despite him mentioning that Gene Mauch was an idol of his, sacrifice bunts on the Reds actually went down after he replaced Narron. That had me concerned.

However, you do make a good case for Maddux. What worries me about him is that he’s never actually managed anywhere. But as you said, neither had Bud Black and he’s done OK. So that’s a yellow flag for me, but it’s not a disqualifier.

I’m still undecided. I might come out for Maddux, but I’m going to wait until after his interview. I do like the work he’s done as a pitching coach, but as Bud Black will tell you, you don’t get a lot of chances to help with the pitching once you’re a manager. You’ve got too many other duties. So if you want Maddux as a second pitching coach, I think you’ll be disappointed. If you want him as a superior baseball mind, then you might have something in Maddux.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuguJbQf3xo

Question: if Sveum gets the Red Sox job and Mackanin goes back to coach for the Phillies next year, any possibility that Sandberg gets a coaching job with the Cubs? He wouldn’t have to be bench coach, but maybe first or third base coach.

Ditka, Jackson, Ozzie and Coach Q were all mustachioed. The mustache is good luck for Chicago coaches.

not Al’s vote. Guess I’m a little jumpy after the steady diet of breaking news.

but after i think about it , he may need an experienced bench coach . though the idea of maddux helping the pitching staff would be a huge plus , josh could be onto something about not being able to devote enough time to the pitchers .so i’m going with maddux if he can lure maybe sandy alomar jr to be bench coach .

Not because he stands out in any way, but because he looks like a combination of Michael Gross (Family Ties, Tremors) and Frank Zappa. I know that doesn’t qualify him as a manager, but I like Tremors.

However, our pitching needs so much improvement that Maddux is intriguing on that behalf. But, I’ll put trust in Theo an Co. to make the right decision.

and it could work. From things I’ve read elsewhere, he’s certainly seems interested in being a manager and always being a pitching coach. And unless Greg Maddux is working elsewhere, Mikecould always call his brother to kick around an idea or two, I suppose. I would definately love it if Mike Maddux were going to be Cubs pitching coach, but I think I could get on board if he were named manager.

On the idea of Terry Francona, I hope he doesn’t get the Cubs job. I really think he might benefit from a year off to recharge or what ever he needs to do to deal with what’s been going on his life.

but I never thought about him being a Cub manager either, but after thinking about it now, it does feel right.

but I’d be very curious as to who would comprise the rest of the coaching staff. Rudy seems to preach the aggressive approach too much and Riggins the “who the heck knows” approach. I’d want to see them both replaced if Maddux were brought in. I originally (wrongly it seems) wanted Rothchild gone when Lou P came on board…not because he was a “bad pitching coach” but more as a completely fresh approach…(not to mention the irrational “ex-cub factor”). I really don’t think we’ve gotten our moneys worth from Rudy and I know Riggins appears useless. Lets make a clean break with short term contracts in place?

might just pencil in Mackanin now with your recent track record.

As some of you might guess I have kept a pretty good eye on Mike Maddux over the years. When you get daily google alerts for "Greg Maddux" you get a whole lot of articles on "Mike Maddux’ ( brother of future HOF pitcher " Greg Maddux"). I confess to being a tad prejudice in his favor. I fully understand the concern that he has "only" been a pitching coach, but I think people underestimate how much both Maddux brothers see the "whole" game. It is clear Mike values pitching and defense over hitting, but I am not sure that is a bad thing. Most of all I think he is a no nonsense guy who can combine giving players confidence without coddling them. I am sure he does not cut vets any special slack.

On the topic of what role if any Greg Maddux would have in Mike where manager, while much depends on his daughter’s health. I strongly suspect he would continue as a “special assistant” spending much of his time scouting and assisting at the minor league level. I find the Bruce Levine comment that basically he only wants to manage, absurd in terms of that being a reason he would not coach. I have no doubt Greg Maddux knows he would have to be a full time coach/minor league manager before anyone offered him an MLB job. I have also stated more than once that bench coach might be his ideal job and he himself said this at one point. The truth is that between the brothers Maddux, Mike is the one best suited to be a manager. Unlike a lot of people I am convinced if Greg wanted to manage he would have no trouble with roster decisions, in game moves, dealing with the press etc, I just don’t see the manager starting food fights and taking money from the players in poker and I doubt he would be happy unless he could do that. I am not being facetious. Greg Maddux has the mind and skill to be manager, but Mike has that and the personality to do it.

…to be a pitching coach.

I still don’t see anything that jumps out at me indicating he’d be a good manager. Or even gives me a sense that he’d be worth the gamble. Because at this point, that’s all it’d be – a gamble. Yes, it’s probably fair to say that going with any of the other likely choices at this point would also be a gamble, but IMO, I just get better vibes coming from the likes of a Sveum, Mackanin or Hale.

Al mentioned Black, Farrell, Dierker and Lemon. He probably should have also mentioned Rothschild and Miller. This whole pitching coach becoming manager argument is probably not a good one to make in support of Maddux – I think it’s failed more often than not.

I think you need to judge Maddux on his own merits and whatever skills/traits he has that can translate to what a manager would do, not a pitching coach. Like Josh said, if you hire Maddux to be manager, you shouldn’t be expecting him to be a second pitching coach too.

I’m also downplaying the whole Greg influence/impact angle too. While I respect Theo & Hoyer’s judgment, as well as the brothers Maddux, the way the media (and frankly a lot of BCBers too) describe it, it sure sounds a lot like college basketball recruiting where the high school coach somehow gets a coaching gig at the same college his star player commits to.

Again, I have absolutely no question about the integrity of anyone involved in the decision making process here, but I just wish everyone else would focus on Mike Maddux and leave Greg out of it.

I had no idea who I wanted as manager, but given the case you state here, I would have no problem bringing in Mike Maddux. GETITDONETHEO!!!!!

Orel, like Maddux, has been a pitching coach for the Texas Rangers and is regarded as one of the brightest people in baseball. He also has experience working in the front office. What do you think?

Have you seen this article? I wonder, how many teams do you think put managerial candidates through a process like this? Regardless of who they pick I do trust Theo to make a good decision.

I don’t think comparing Maddux to Bud Black quite works. Black spent many years sitting beside Scioscia, while Maddux has been with Ron Washington, who arguably managed the Rangers out of a World Series win this year. I think too many people are enamored with the last name.

Also, if Fergie ever decided to wear a uniform again, I’d say he gets first dibs on 31.

is interviewing, I might lean to the former catcher. They were always so intune to the entire game and I like the thought if a catchers mind in charge. I switch my vote.

I want Maddux.

“Theo & Jed have stated they won’t be pursuing any sitting manager,

Where and when did they say this? I thought that was the popular opinion, but I didn’t think they came right out and said it.

I’m sorta pulling for Sveum…which in turn MAY give a bit of leverage in the Fielder sweepstakes…that is IF the Cubs make a play for him
Also, that picture creeps me out. I don’t like seeing pitching coaches who come to the mound and put their hands on their pitcher.

Just crackin’ nuts :)

I think it’ll be Mike Maddux. Simply a guess.
For him to shape that formerly toxic wasteland of a rotation and bullpen into a good staff two years in a row says something.

“Hey Hey, Holy mackerel, no doubt about it,!”
by scottsdalecubs on Nov 4, 2011 1:15 AM EDT reply actions
 
and, Greg could hang out with Theo upstairs 10-20 times per season.
As a consultant.

“Hey Hey, Holy mackerel, no doubt about it,!”
by scottsdalecubs on Nov 4, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

you are correct, no shortage of good canidates. I am holding out until I get to see each one after their interview.

There seem to be some questions about almost all of the other candidates. If Mackanin is such a good managerial candidate, why has he never been offered a fulltime job? He’s 60, which is a bit old to be a first-time manager. Sveum has also had shots at fulltime jobs and not received any offers.

This is the same kind of specious argument that NBF uses (redundant?) against Sandberg. You called him on it ,and rightfully so – but then you can’t in good faith use it as an argument against someone else.

I’m all for him as manager. He also has a connection to Fielder as wasn’t he in Milwaukee before Texas although he wouldn’t have worked with him.

Oh my God Al and I agree! There’s hope yet.

And it may help in keeping Greg around as well.

Speaking of managerial candidates and moustaches. I still have nightmares about Ryno’s moustache back in 1987.

I have a crazy idea for pitching coach if he retires as a player. Or minor league pitching roving coach.

Kerry Wood.

An interesting roundabout could happen if he’s named manager of the Cubs as Sandberg would probably be made bench coach in Philly to replace him unless he’s manager somewhere else.

What are his qualifications to be a manager (other than that he is a terrific pitching coach and a gut-feeling)?

Has he ever managed in the minors? Can he handle in-game management? What is his philosophy of hitting? Can he deal with both pitchers and non-pitchers all at the same time?

I have nothing against Maddux as the next Cubs managers, I just want to know what he brings to the table to be a successful manager.

but Bryan LaHair hit a bomb HR off of Carlos Zambrano down in Venezuela this afternoon.

The Cubs have gone with hitters as managers as long as I can remember.

Maybe the pitching strength manager is the way to go. Change of pace.

before I make my choice. Mackanin lost points from me already by mentioning that he was a Sox fan after Theo told him not to ever mention that again.

What are your thoughts about the opinions that the out-of-the-box thinking on Rangers pitching really originated from Nolan Ryan, and not Mike Maddux?

And if you really had to think about it, would a Maddux hiring “feel right” if his last name was Jones? Just curious.

@SI_JonHeyman: mike maddux has withdrawn from consideration for red sox job. my impressions is he may be favored for #cubs job