Former Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon says goodbye to city and fans

Chicago Cubs: At the end of the day, Maddon got the job done

More from Cubbies Crib

• 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
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis

There’s no question Maddon will forever be a legend in the heart of Cubs fans around the world. No matter how frustrated you were with him pulling Kyle Hendricks for Jon Lester in Game 7, leaning on Aroldis Chapman for way too many postseason frames, bringing in Pedro Strop to pinch-hit or anything else that resulted in heart rates to increase rapidly.

Either way, Maddon ranks fifth in franchise history with 471 wins – and, obviously, that World Series title that eluded so many of his predecessors. He also ranks third all-time among Cubs managers (with at least 162 games managed) with a .581 winning percentage at the helm on the North Side.

With the Angels, he has guys such as Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, Andrelton Simmons  and Tommy La Stella ready to take over the American League. Pending a World Series showdown, the Cubs and Angels will go head-to-head on Monday, March 2 and Saturday, March 14 both in split-squad action during Cactus League play.

Surely, Maddon, Mallee and La Stella will be embraced with hugs during these encounters. And once it’s time for them to return to Wrigley, expect an emotional tribute to the greatest manager who has ever worn a Chicago Cubs uniform.