Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon responds to critcism

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon responded this week to previous criticism he received from former Cubs’ closer Aroldis Chapman and current Cubs’ backup catcher Miguel Montero.

For a manager that delivered the Chicago Cubs their first World Series title since 1908, Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon certainly has received a bevy of criticism for his managerial decisions during the World Series last Fall.

Most notably, after signing with the New York Yankees this off-season, former Cubs’ closer Aroldis Chapman spoke out against the way that Maddon used him during the World Series against the Clevleland Indians. Maddon took the high-road when responding to Chapman’s criticism.

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“It’s too bad he had to say that,” Maddon said. “There’s really nothing to it, as far as I’m concerned. We had talked about his usage and he was all for it. I just know one thing – that we could not have won it without him.

“He was about as big a part of that run as anybody was, so I’m grateful for everything that he had done here, and I just wish him nothing but the best in the future. But everything that occurred in those last couple games was planned out in advance.

“And as it turned out, it turned out pretty well.”

There really is no need for Maddon to respond in depth to Chapman’s comments. There is nothing that needs to be said. If anything, Chapman should be thanking Maddon as the Cubs’ manager played a pivotal part in the veteran reliever getting a lucrative contract from the Yankees.

As for Miguel Montero, the veteran catcher complained during a radio interview earlier this off-season about the communication between he and Maddon as well as the way Chapman was used during the post-season. Maddon once again took the high road.

“I’m sure we’ll talk,” Maddon said. “Miggy likes to talk.”

Again, there really is nothing that needs to be said. Considering the emergence of Willson Contreras and the veteran leadership of David Ross, Montero was the clear odd man out. There was no communication needed for that.

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And, again, Joe Maddon is the first Chicago Cubs’ manager to win the World Series since 1908.