Joe Maddon didn't spend much time on the unemployment line. Today he was named the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels succeeding Brad Ausmus who was terminated after one season. Maddon returns to the organization where he was employed for 31 seasons before being named manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2006. Maddon earned a World Series ring as a part of Mike Scioscia's staff in 2002.
Maddon's managerial resume is well known. He took the Rays to the AL pennant in 2008 and then guided the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years in 2016. After failing to reach the post-season this year amid a late season collapse, the Cubs opted not to bring Maddon back in favor of David Ross, one of his former players on the 2016 team. Only hours after the Cubs hired Ross, Maddon landed on his feet in familiar terrain.
Maddon has the unenviable task of managing in the AL West against the AL champion Houston Astros and an Oakland A's team which has earned back to back AL Wild Card berths. But if their is manager who can break the Astros-A's duopoly it would be Maddon.
If nothing else after the season the Angels had following the sudden death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, they need a light touch and Maddon has the right kind of hands.
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