Chicago Cubs: Where does Joe Maddon rank amongst team’s skippers all-time?

Let the debate begin and end with one name. Joe Maddon. Without a doubt, he is the one of greatest manager of the Chicago Cubs in the modern era.

Baseball. The game in which we debate every last detail. Whether or not a bunt is wise in a given situation. Was that pitching change too early or too late? What in the world was (insert manager or player) thinking when they (insert action here)? Who was the best players in team history? We do this all the time. And, fans of the Chicago Cubs are no exception.

It is just part of the game. We watch and analyze every part of the game.

But, as we look over the history of the Cubs, one fact becomes abundantly clear. Whether or not we agree with every action – if we think Albert Almora should play over Kyle Schwarber, or how he utilizes the bullpen – Joe Maddon is one of the best managers the Cubs have hired in the Modern Era.

With that question in mind, who are the top managers of the Chicago Cubs since 1900? There are only 55 from which to choose. And, according to  historian Elizabeth Nix, the year 1900 is the beginning of the Modern Era. Given those factors, and the numbers from all managers during this era, you get five clear top managers.

Since 1900, only 11 managers have first place finishes. Fifteen finished their careers with a winning percentage above .500. Six made it to the World Series. Two walked away with a championship.

And, with that said, here are the top five Chicago Cubs managers of all time.

#5: The Wizard of Zim

By far, Don Zimmer is one of my favorite managers in MLB history. While I started watching the Chicago Cubs during the Jim Frey years, it was the time of Zim that pulled me in for good. Sure, his ways were a bit eclectic, but there is no doubt he loved the game. Zimmer spent his entire adult life in the game.

While with the Cubs, Zimmer attained a record of 265 – 258, a .508 winning percentage. That is good for 15th all-time. The team struggled for three of his seasons, finishing with 77 wins in each, the 1989 season was magical. After a 93-win season, the team made it to the NLCS. However, the powerful San Francisco Giants lineup took the series in five games.

Even so, Zimmer impacted the team for a long time. After he was let go, the team didn’t sniff the postseason until 1998.  And today, you can see some of Zim in what Joe Maddon does on the field. The two worked together in Tampa Bay. The two would talk shop and evaluate players over a few hot dogs.

It’s safe to say, Maddon learned quite a bit.

#4: Sweet Lou

With 319 wins and 293 losses, and countless base throws and dirt-covered plates, Lou Piniella ranks fourth on our list. His 609 games managed is eighth-best in team history. And, he was the first manager to appear in back-to-back playoffs since 1908. Those appearance did not end well.

Still, finishing with their best record since 1984 is impressive. The team finished with an average division rank of 2.1 during Piniella’s tenure. Of course, one of his most well-known moments occurred on June 2, 2007. It was a tirade for the ages – unlike anything we have witnessed since.

The Cubs struggled in 2006, which resulted in the firing of Dusty Baker. The roster changed and Pinella was brought in to manage. But the Cubs still struggled. Until….

Coming into this moment, the Cubs were 22-31. After? 63-46.

And they won the National League Central crown over the Milwaukee Brewers.

#2: Maddon-ing results

It has only been three seasons, but there is no doubting Joe Maddon deserves to be in the top two. Already, he ranks 11th in team history in wins, third in winning percentage and first in average division ranking. And, three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1967-70.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Additionally, he is the only manager to take the team to three-straight NLCS appearances. No manager in Chicago Cubs’ history has done more in such a short period of time.

But, it is not just the wins. Not by a long shot. It is the mentality of the team synthesized by Maddon and President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, making the reign important.

For over a century, the “Lovable Loser” could not get over the hump. The idea of the team being curse grew and grew into a troubling truth, befuddling the team for decades.

But, the ways of Maddon changed everything. Maybe it is just the way Chicago needs to be? It was the zen of Phil Jackson that led Michael Jordan and the Bulls to six championships. Could it be teams in the Windy City require a coach that is different than the rest?

There is still more to be done in Chicago under Maddon. The taste of victory was followed by a less sweet season. Regardless, Maddon has elevated the Cubs from losers to winners.

#1: Nothing left to Chance

There is no doubt who stands atop the Chicago Cubs manager totem-pole. Frank Chance is the only one worth of such a spot. In eight seasons, he accumulated 768 wins, good enough for third in team history. No Cubs’ manager has a better winning percentage, and only Maddon can boast the same average division rank.

But, here are things no one else can say. Never did he win less than 91 games in a full seasons. Okay, so he won 55 in 1905, but he only managed 90 games. His winning percentage never went below .597. His teams won four pennants and two world series.

Oh, and he was a player on every team as well. Not just any player, but one in the Hall of Fame. His career WAR places him 13th on the team all-time.

Wait, there is more. He did all of this before the age of 35. You have that right. Ben Zobrist is older now than Frank Chance when he ended his career. Maybe it was a different game back then, but it was still 152 games in a season. Since 1912, no Cubs manager has come close to performing like Chance.

Next: Chicago Cubs continue to tinker with roster ahead of big offseason

But, if Maddon stays for a few more years and wins another title, we could adjust this list. There is no doubt, however, that Chance and Maddon are the best Cubs managers in the Modern Era.