* You go, Joe Maddon–and the WIN-dy City.
His inimical touch is all over the talented, exuberant, high-achieving Chicago Cubs that have galvanized a city, the national media and much of America’s sports fandom. Who can’t get revved over a team–and a city–perched on the precipice of history that could finally end the century-plus frustration of this uniquely iconic franchise?
And here in Tampa Bay, we get a vicarious jolt as this emotional, historic scenario plays out. The popular, personal Maddon, MLB’s version of a renaissance man, was the manager who steered a bedeviled Rays franchise into respectability and a World Series.
And no hard feelings at this end. We’re glad he still lives here because he loves living here.
Maddon didn’t just leave for a fatter contract. He’s not Carl Crawford or David Price, who went from very wealthy to extremely wealthy by signing on with the highest bidder. Even if it happened to be the Boston Red Sox. Ouch. But that’s business. And managers don’t make player money.
Maddon used his contract loophole to sign on to the one managerial job that was about much, much more than more money. His kind of city, his kind of ballpark, his kind of fan base and his kind of challenge–but with enough wherewithal and commitment to make history happen.
Go, Cubs.
* Speaking of the World Series, no surprise that Chief Wahoo, the Cleveland’s Indians’ caricature logo that’s embroidered on the team’s uniforms, has been in the news. It’s considered offensive–think Little Black Sambo–by many, and not just Native Americans. Last week an indigenous Canadian activist unsuccessfully sought a court injunction to prevent Cleveland from using Wahoo-depicting uniforms or even using the “Indians” name while in Toronto.
So, no, this issue isn’t going away. Nor should it. While political correctness will always be in the mix, Chief Wahoo is not an example. It’s a racist, cartoonish figure that’s been around since the racially-unenlightened 1940s. Now it’s front and center for MLB’s showcase.
It would be ironic if the “Curse is Reversed,” but Chief Wahoo plays on.
* Not that it needed the validation, but the Tampa Bay Lightning has been ranked No. 1 in all of American sports in ESPN the Magazine’s annual rankings. That’s out of 122 teams in the four major pro sports leagues. The criteria range from team success and front office savvy to ticket affordability and fan experience. BTW, the Bucs ranked 73rd and the Rays 90th.
Last year the Bolts were ranked 3rd. In 2009, the Lightning was No. 85. That’s the year before Jeff Vinik bought the franchise–and invested strategically in Amalie Arena, front office personnel, franchise players and the Lightning brand and culture.
Tampa, Florida is a hockey town. The Bolts have sold out 70 consecutive games at Amalie. It didn’t happen by accident.