Joe Maddon stands at the dugout with a bottle of water in his back pocket and leans on a bat while fielding questions from the press before a Tuesday night game. As manager of the Rays or skipper, as he’s affectionately called by the team – Maddon brings 31 years of experience and respect for the game to the Bay area’s rising organization. “I hope we bring a very good baseball team and with that a group of young men that get involved in the community,” said Maddon. “I hope we make the community proud to say these players are members of the Tampa Bay Rays and they represent us nationally and they do it in a very classy way.”

A Pennsylvania native, Maddon came to baseball, surprisingly, through a football scholarship to Lafayette College. “In college I majored in football, baseball, fraternity parties and economics,” said Maddon. “I’ve loved baseball since I was a baby, I mean I always wanted to play.” A catcher for the Angels in the minor leagues, so he could bat, it was in the dugout that Maddon entered the majors. During his years with the Angels as bench coach for manager Mike Scioscia, Maddon learned some tools of the trade for his future endeavors.

Now with a team of his own, the South Tampa resident and his fiancée spend the off-season traveling. “I’m getting married this year, so we’re going to Italy to do a little honeymoon,” said Maddon. “Actually all over Europe hopefully, my fiancée’s never been.”


Metro: What Bay area restaurants do you like?

Maddon: Several. I hang out once in a while at SideBern’s, Timpano and I know the owner, Michael Stewart, over at 717 South – it’s a great place. I pretty much go up and down the strip.

M: What were some of the things you learned from Mike Scioscia?

JM: One thing I love about Sosh (Scioscia) is he has a really good in-game mind. So for me, he taught me consistency, competitiveness and fearlessness.

M: How do you apply that now that you’re the manager?

JM: I like to think I’m pretty consistent and that we’re risk takers, and I like to think when I walk in the door every day, the guys know what to expect.

M: How does it feel to be #1?
(In the American League East Division of Major League Baseball at the time of press)

JM: It’s wonderful, but you have to treat it with respect because you want to stay there. The moment you start becoming cavalier about it, you’re going to fall from the ranks so fast.

M: Some people believe chemistry doesn’t matter in baseball. What do you think?

JM: I totally disagree. This is what I believe: If somebody doesn’t know how to create chemistry, they’re going to say that.

M: Does a win mean more when it’s at home?

JM: Nope, it’s pretty cool both ways. When you win at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park it’s a big rush.

M: How do you relax?

JM: Well, today I did my bike ride and little exercise program. I like a good glass of wine – red. I like to cook, to read books and to travel.

M: Do you have a favorite beach?

JM: I haven’t really been to any beaches around here. In California, I love Huntington and Newport Beach.

M: Last question, World Series?

JM: Why not!