Maddon gets victory in return to Tampa.
This was a night Tampa baseball fans had been waiting for. A night to finally say “thank you” to the man who took the Rays to four playoff appearances and one World Series appearance over his nine years as manager. Joe Maddon brought the World Series champion Chicago Cubs to town for a brief two game set.
Maddon who opted out of his contract after the 2015 season ,was back at Tropicana field for the first time since his resignation. The fans were bitter and upset When Maddon left. They felt that Maddon had been somewhat shaddy and underhanded in the manner that he opted out of his contract.
Last night all was forgiven as Maddon was honered by the Rays during last night‘s game. Maddon received a standing ovation from the crowdd of over 25,000 of which 20,000 were Cub fans. It was almost Wrigley Field South at the Trop last night.
Many of Maddon’s crazy clubhouse antics and pranks were shown as part of a video tribute. Maddon continues to call Tampa home during the off-season, as he maintains his Tampa residence and works at his restuarant.
Maddon has his Cubs in contention again this year as they lead Milwaukee in the NL central by 2.5 games. Mike Montgomery started for the Cubs last night and held the Rays down offensively all night as the rays lone hit was a solo homer by Brad Miller in the 2-1 loss.
Sadly this has been the story all two often the second half of the season for the Rays as the offense has lost a lot of its firepower from the first half of the season. The Rays have just been too inconsistent in all area’s of the game to be a serious contender.
The so-called ace of the staff Chris Archer did not pitch badly giving up just two runs, but when you can’t get any run support I don’t care if your Roger Clemons you will not be able to win consistently.
This will be the third season in a row that Archer has finished with a sub-500 record. Archer is 30-43 the last three years.
Meanwhile Joe Madden and the Cubs will continue their run to the postseason. The Cubs will probably win the NL Central and play the LA Dodgers in their first round playoff matchup. Maddon could work his magic again this year as the Cubs could once again win it all.
It will be another long off-season for Rays fans as they will possibly watch their former manager win his second World Series title.
