Chicago sportswriter Bruce Levine last night gave CSN viewers a bombshell story.
For the entire hour, a dour David Kaplan was pining over Joe Girardi's decision to stay with the Yankees. Kaplan had been one of the vocal pundits who said that Girardi would be coming to Chicago. So in the discussions about a Plan B managerial search, none of the panelists were keen on A.J. Hinch or Manny Acta, who may be considered two of the worst candidates available.
At the end, Levine said if the Cubs wanted a high profile hire, it would be Maddux. But no Mike Maddux, the Ranger pitching coach who interviewed two years ago for the Cub job. But his brother, former Cub and Brave Greg Maddux.
Levine said he knows that Maddux wants to manager. He has no experience managing at any level. However, Levine said that if Maddux were to manage, he would have his brother as pitching coach, former manager Bobby Cox as his bench coach, and Henry Blanco as his bullpen coach. Levine said that he spoke to Cox who said he would be Maddux's bench coach.
Cox is one of the best managers in his era, winning in both Toronto and Atlanta. His career managerial record is 4508-2504, .556 winning percentage; 5 pennants and 1 World Series championship.
Mike Maddux is considered one of the better major league pitching coaches. However, when Greg Maddux was playing, he was probably the best pitching coach in the dugout. Many players have told stories about Maddux sitting on the bench and accurately predicting what the opponent pitcher was going to throw. Greg knew the art of pitching and strategy. He shared his views with younger players. That is how he was so effective. I always thought he would make an excellent pitching coach.
But he apparently wants to manage, but not do the dirty minor league apprenticeship that Ryne Sandberg had to endure to get his shot. That adds to the risk of hiring Greg Maddux because even though he was a great pitcher, a good teammate, and person with a high baseball IQ, it is different trying to appease 25 different player personalities, try to instill a winning culture, and make in-game decisions as a manager.
If the Cubs hired Greg Maddux, it would be a high profile coup . . . . especially if his coaching staff would include Cox.
But there is no indication that the Cubs are interested in such a hire. The new Cub way is to toss out the old Cub tradition, as evidenced by the team throwing out 2011 Cub convention memorabilia and Ron Santo mementos in a dumpster outside Wrigley Field. A Maddux hire would put too much power in the manager and dilute the control that the front office wants to retain.
UPDATE: Kaplan tweeted this afternoon:
So I checked in w/Greg Maddux to see if he is interested in the Cubs
job? "No thank you. I want to have time to be with family in summer."
