Joe Maddon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joe Maddon
Maddon with the Chicago Cubs in 2016
Manager
Born: (1954-02-08) February 8, 1954 (age 71) Hazleton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
MLB statistics
Managerial record	1,382–1,216
Winning %	.532
Teams
As manager California / Anaheim Angels (1996, 1999) Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays (2006–2014) Chicago Cubs (2015–2019) Los Angeles Angels (2020–2022) As coach California / Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1994–2005)
Career highlights and awards
2× World Series champion (2002, 2016) 3× Manager of the Year (2008, 2011, 2015)

Joseph "Joe" Maddon (born February 8, 1954) is an American former professional baseball manager and coach. He is well-known for leading the Chicago Cubs to a World Series title in 2016. He also managed the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Joe Maddon started his MLB coaching career with the Angels in 1994. He worked under several managers and even filled in as interim manager a few times. He managed the Rays from 2006 to 2014, leading them to the 2008 American League pennant.

After leaving the Rays, Maddon joined the Cubs in 2015. He led them to the 2015 National League Championship Series and was named the 2015 National League Manager of the Year. In 2016, Maddon helped the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908. He managed the Cubs until 2019 and then managed the Angels from 2020 to 2022.

Joe Maddon's Baseball Journey

Joe Maddon grew up in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. His father, Joseph Anthony Maddon, ran a plumbing shop. Joe played baseball and football at Lafayette College.

He began his professional baseball career as a catcher in the minor leagues. He signed with the California Angels in 1975. Maddon played for four seasons, mostly in Class A teams like the Quad Cities Angels and Salinas Angels. He never played in the major leagues as a player.

Starting as a Coach

In 1979, after four seasons as a player, Maddon decided to become a coach. He started as a scout for the Angels. He then managed teams in the Angels' farm system and worked as a hitting instructor for minor league players.

Maddon managed minor league teams from 1981 to 1986. He coached teams like the Idaho Falls Angels and Peoria Chiefs. After several years as a roving instructor, he was promoted to the Angels' major league coaching staff in 1994.

He served as a major league coach for the Angels from 1994 to 2005. He held roles like first base coach and bench coach. He also stepped in as interim manager three times. He won a World Series ring in 2002 as the bench coach under manager Mike Scioscia. Maddon spent a total of 31 years with the Angels organization.

Managing the Rays

On November 15, 2005, Joe Maddon became the manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The team was in a rebuilding phase with many young players. Maddon focused on developing these young stars.

Building a Winning Team (2006–2007)

In his first two seasons, the Rays had losing records. They had the lowest team payroll in baseball. However, Maddon was patient. He worked with talented young players like David Price, Evan Longoria, and B. J. Upton.

First Pennant and Manager of the Year (2008)

In 2008, the team changed its name to the Tampa Bay Rays. Maddon led them to their first winning season and division title ever. His young team won the American League East, beating strong teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

The Rays then won their first playoff series against the Chicago White Sox. They also beat the Red Sox in the 2008 American League Championship Series (ALCS). This sent the Rays to their first World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies won the series in five games. After this amazing season, Maddon won the American League Manager of the Year Award.

More Playoff Runs (2009–2014)

Maddon signed a contract extension with the Rays in 2009. In 2010, the Rays made the playoffs again, winning their second AL East championship. They finished the year with 96 wins. However, they lost to the Texas Rangers in the ALDS.

In 2011, the Rays had a rough start, losing their first six games. But they made an incredible comeback, clinching the American League Wild Card on the last day of the season. They lost to the Rangers again in the ALDS. Maddon was named the AL Manager of the Year for the second time.

He won his 500th career game as manager in 2012. In 2013, the Rays made the playoffs again, winning the American League Wild Card. They lost to the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS.

The 2014 season was tough for the Rays due to injuries and trades. They finished with a losing record. After the season, Maddon decided to leave the Rays. He finished his time with the team with 754 wins and 705 losses.

Managing the Cubs

After leaving the Rays, Joe Maddon became the manager of the Chicago Cubs in 2015. He signed a five-year contract.

Building a Playoff Team (2015)

On May 14, 2015, Maddon earned his 800th managerial win. The Cubs had finished in last place for three years in a row. But under Maddon, they had a strong first half of the season.

The Cubs continued to play well in the second half. On September 26, they clinched their first postseason spot since 2008. They finished the season with 97 wins, a big improvement from the previous year.

In the National League Wild Card Game, the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates. They then won their playoff series against the St. Louis Cardinals. This was the first time the Cubs won a playoff series at their home field, Wrigley Field. The Cubs then played the Mets in the NLCS but lost in four games. After the season, Maddon won the National League Manager of the Year Award.

World Series Champions (2016)

Maddon's young Cubs team was expected to do well in 2016. They started the season very strong and quickly took first place in their division. They never gave up that lead. The team finished the regular season with an amazing 103 wins. This was their first 100-win season in over 80 years!

The Cubs entered the playoffs as big favorites. They beat the San Francisco Giants in four games. On October 22, 2016, the Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. This meant they won their first pennant (championship of their league) since 1945.

Then, the Cubs faced the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. In an exciting Game 7, the Cubs won the World Series! This was their first World Series title in 108 years, ending a very long wait for Cubs fans.

Later Years with the Cubs (2017–2019)

On May 16, 2017, Maddon won his 1,000th game as a manager. The Cubs won their division again in 2017. They beat the Washington Nationals in the NLDS. However, they lost to the Dodgers in the NLCS.

In 2018, the Cubs had 95 wins. They battled the Milwaukee Brewers for the division title but lost in a special tie-breaker game. They then lost the Wild Card game to the Colorado Rockies.

The Cubs did not extend Maddon's contract after the 2018 season. In 2019, the team had an up-and-down season. They were in the playoff race until the very end. However, a nine-game losing streak kept them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

On September 29, 2019, Maddon and the Cubs announced that his contract would not be renewed. He finished his time with the Cubs with 471 wins and 339 losses.

Return to the Angels (2020–2022)

On October 16, 2019, Joe Maddon returned to manage the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a three-year deal.

Shortened Season (2020)

The 2020 season was shortened to 60 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Angels finished in fourth place in their division and missed the playoffs.

Full Season (2021)

In 2021, Maddon managed his first full 162-game season with the Angels. He allowed star player Shohei Ohtani to both hit and pitch, which is very rare in baseball. Maddon even let Ohtani bat for himself as a starting pitcher, which was a first for the Angels.

The Angels finished the 2021 season with a 77–85 record. They placed fourth in their division and missed the playoffs.

Final Season (2022)

In 2022, Maddon made a notable decision in a game against the Texas Rangers. He intentionally walked a batter with the bases loaded, which is very unusual. The Angels went on to win that game.

However, the team went on a 12-game losing streak. On June 7, 2022, Joe Maddon was fired by the Angels.

Managerial Record

Uniform Number

Joe Maddon wears the unusual uniform number 70. He once wanted to wear number 20, but he lost it when another famous player joined the Angels. He was then given number 70 by chance. He decided he would never change it so that his number would always be his.

Charitable Work

Maddon's organization, Respect 90 Foundation, helps inner-city youth. They host a yearly charity golf tournament in his hometown of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. They also put on a charity boxing event in Chicago each year.

Personal Life

Joe Maddon has two children from a previous marriage and five grandchildren. He married his second wife in 2008.

See Also

• List of Major League Baseball All-Star Game managers
• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career ejections
• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career wins

Images for kids

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  Maddon with the Rays

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  Maddon in 2013

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  Maddon with the Angels in 2020