Joe Maddon Officially Out as Cubs Manager
By Michael Luciano
After five seasons, four playoff appearances, and one legendary curse-breaking championship, the clock has struck midnight on Joe Maddon's tenure in Chicago.
The 65-year-old Maddon, who was not expected back as Cubs manager, has officially been relieved of his duties.
Maddon is out as Cubs Manager
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 29, 2019
After turning the Tampa Bay Rays from perennial doormats to division champions, Maddon came to the North side in 2015, and instantly turned the Cubs into a success.
Maddon was instrumental in constructing and coaching a roster that was and is packed to the brim with star power, as Kris bryant, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo helped the Cubs dominate the NL Central.
Maddon won 59 percent of his games while in charge of the Cubs, but a win-now attitude from the organization cost Maddon his job after he missed the playoffs this season.
While it has long been expected that Joe Maddon would not return to the Cubs, it's still one of those moves that shows the frailty of this business, this job. He won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs. Again: He won a championship with the Cubs.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 29, 2019
Three years later, he is out.
While Maddon can and likely will latch on somewhere else, it's hard not to be a little melancholy about the end of an era in Chicago.