2014 Year in Review: October Edition
By DJ Smith
Joe Maddon Flees to Chicago
Nov 3, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer (left), manager Joe Maddon (center), and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein (right) address the media during a press conference at the Cubby Bear Lounge near Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
After spending 8 years as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, Joe Maddon opted out of his contract on October 24th and days later became the manager for the Chicago Cubs. During his tenure as Rays manager Maddon went 754-705, making the playoffs in four of those years including a trip to the 2008 World Series. Following the end of the 2014 season there were rumors that Maddon would opt out and join the Dodgers organization, in hopes that Maddon would bring his experience and help the Dodgers make a deep run in the playoffs. Once Maddon opted out more rumors were swirling that the Cubs were extremely interested in Maddon, and within days the two sides had reached a deal for five years, bringing Maddon to the North Side with hopes that he can break the 100+ year World Series championship drought.