Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Cubs news: Joe Maddon and Miguel Montero make peace

By Carlos Nazario

Oct 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs pinch hitter Miguel Montero hits a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in game one of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs pinch hitter Miguel Montero hits a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in game one of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

On the day the Chicago Cubs celebrated their World Series victory, catcher Miguel Montero gave an interview in which he criticized manager Joe Maddon. They met up recently over pasta to clear the air.

Things weren’t all puppies and rainbows when the Chicago Cubs celebrated their first World Series win since 1908. Yes, the Cubs got over the hump, but it wasn’t without some tense moments. Some say that manager Joe Maddon overmanaged and made some critical errors that made it more difficult to win. One of those critics was catcher Miguel Montero.

Montero was happy to win the World Series, but he felt Maddon did not use him effectively. Moreover, he felt the communication wasn’t there when Maddon decided to give the bulk of the catching duties to Willson Contreras and David Ross. During the season, he was Jake Arrieta’s personal catcher, but that changed in the playoffs.

That miffed Montero.

Speaking on the Waddle and Silvy show on ESPN 1000 on the same day as the parade, Montero let off some steam.

"I think the toughest part for me is they never communicated with me. I’m a veteran guy. They talk about veteran leadership. I have 11 years in the game and two All-Star [appearances]. I expected to be treated a little better. I was expected to get communication. Just let me know. Put me in the loop. That was the toughest part for me because I never understood what my role was going to be.More from Da Windy City3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to NashvilleChicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agencyThe Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei OhtaniChicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidatesChicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal"

To his credit, though, Montero did not get down to the point of being a cancer. He had only 12 at-bats in the postseason, but hit a grand slam to win Game 1 of the NLCS, and drove in what ended up being the deciding run in Game 7 of the World Series. Additionally, he caught the final two innings of the World Series.

Now with training camp open, Montero and Maddon met at an Italian restaurant to clear the air. Montero spoke to reporters about it on Tuesday.

"We both wanted to talk to each other. This is 2017. We turn the page. We both agreed on that. All I said was, ‘Let me in. I want to be part of it. You can trust me.I got a lot off my chest because I care so much for the game. I care so much for the team, whatever it takes for me to help. If Wilson needs a break and [Clayton] Kershaw is pitching for the other team, put me in. That’s my job. I accept it."

It’s good to see a player and manager get together and square things out. Too many times, a manager becomes entrenched with the “I am the boss, and you do what I say” attitude. Maddon doesn’t do that. He is open to all his players, listens to where they are coming from, and lets them know his thinking. That builds trust, and when the time comes for a player like Montero to come through in a key situation, he could. In order to win, that is what’s needed. Also, it lets the other players feel that if they have a concern Maddon is open enough to talk with them about it.

Next: Lester and Contreras working on their chemistry

Theo Epstein correctly felt that Joe Maddon fit this Chicago Cubs team like a glove. In ways more than just on-field decisions, Maddon is the perfect man to lead this team, even if he causes our hearts to skip once in a while.

Home/Chicago Cubs