Chicago Cubs: Joe Maddon nearing 1,000 career wins as manager

Despite a rough start to the new campaign, life has been great for the Chicago Cubs. Now, our skipper looks to reach another milestone in his career.

It was a magical two years for the Chicago Cubs, especially skipper, Joe Maddon. Aside from Theo Epstein, Joe has one of the greatest baseball minds that has ever put on a uniform.

Either way, Maddon has quickly become one of the most beloved members of the organization in franchise history. Everything seemed to work in his favor despite making a few questionable calls along the way.

Even pulling Kyle Hendricks for Jon Lester in Game 7 of the World Series. Not to mention, grinding out Aroldis Chapman who eventually gave up a game-tying home run.

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Again, it all worked out in Maddon’s favor. If you don’t take risks, then there is a good chance you’re not going to make it. You need to be able to take risks no matter the profession.

Back in December of 2014, news broke of Joe joining the Chicago Cubs. The veteran skipper offered to buy drinks to those who attended his press conference as well.

Big Break

How cool is that? Now, Maddon got his start with the California Angels (now Anaheim) back in 1996 after working in the minors. Interesting fact, he signed with the Angels as a free agent catcher in 1975 but didn’t make much of an impact.

Little did we know, he’d turn out to be one heck of a skip. After picking up some experience in California, Maddon finally landed his first big gig when he signed with Tampa in 2006.

Working with guys such as Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena, Fernando Rodney, David Price, James Shields, Evan Longoria, etc. He had some talented men under his belt — just like he does in Chicago now.

The fact that he’s only five wins away from 1,000 in his career with the New York Yankees due to visit this weekend is fantastic. I mean, he managed against that team for the majority of his career, so how cool would it be to hit that milestone with them in town?

Also, former Cubs’ Starlin Castro, Aroldis Chapman, and Adam Warren will be in town as well. We can all expect Castro and Chapman to receive a standing ovation when it’s time for them to take the field.

In Good Company

Now, as soon as Joe hits that mark, he’ll be tied with future Hall of Fame skipper, Charlie Manuel for 62nd all-time. These two men went head-to-head back in 2008 as the Rays took on the Phillies in the World Series.

When it was all said and done, Manuel and his boys celebrated a World Series title. Maddon went back to the drawing board with very little success of getting back up until his second year with the Cubbies.

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Yes, he is a long ways out from catching the likes of Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Tony La Russa, Joe McCarthy and John McGraw. But he’s still going to enter the Hall of Fame. Especially after what he was able to do with a club that hadn’t won a World Series in 108 years.

Let’s see if he can get win No. 996 tonight when Jake Arrieta takes the mound later on this evening against the Phillies.