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Michigan Avenue - 2017 - Issue 2 - Late Spring - Joe Maddon

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With Zen-like calm and a World Series title in hand, Chicago Cubs skipper Joe Maddon has his eyes on another thrilling run in Wrigleyville. by JAYE MADDON photography by JACK PERNO REMEMBER THE BILLY GOAT? BARTMAN? THE BLACK CAT IN '69? All the superstitions and talk of curses seem so silly now, because none of it matters: After 108 long, long, long years, our Chicago Cubs are the reigning World Series Champions. All credit to Theo and Bryzzo and Zobrist and Lester and the rest of the guys, but let's be real: It was manager Joe Maddon, with his slogans and goofy team dress-up days and demeanor of (mostly) Zen-like calm, that allowed this young team to "embrace the target," shake off the pressure, and take home the trophy. Now, in an exclusive Michigan Avenue conversation with his wife, Jaye, as the team kicks off a new season, Maddon reflects on the World Series win; contemplates a Cubs dynasty; and reveals what makes Chicago fans some of the finest in the world. Jaye Maddon: So Joe, how has life changed since the World Series? Joe Maddon: I don't think it's changed a lot for us, babe. There's been more requests—there's always been a lot of demands on time, but I think we've done a pretty good job [of managing it]. There's more attention and I'm maybe more recognizable. But for the most part, I haven't felt a whole lot different. How about you? Jaye: Me neither. Like you said, we've struck a balance, so I agree with you. Joe: Wow. Mark it up! [laughs]. Jaye: What's your favorite memory from the whole World Series experience? Joe: I gotta be careful there… My favorite memory of the whole World Series experience, I'd have to say, is the last out. Ground ball to third. You can talk ad nauseum about all the micro things that occurred: Being with [you] on the field after the game was outstanding; that little rain—as we were trying to get back into the dugout it started to rain, and it didn't matter. It felt kinda cool based on what had happened earlier with the rain delay. Leaving at 3 o'clock in the morning on a 747, being extremely tired, getting to Chicago at 7 o'clock, and it did not matter. It was great. But for me, the favorite thing is that chopper to third, man. Because in that nanosecond you realize this play's completed and you win the World Series for the first time in 108 years. God bless, that is a moment you can never really recapture. Jaye: How does it feel to be known as the guy who broke the Cubs curse? Joe: God, I don't feel that way. I feel like I'm part of it. I've only been here [in Chicago] two years. I've never felt the curse. I'm appreciative of it, I understand it, I know folks have been concerned for many years, but heck, for two years we've been there—we've won an average of 100 games a season, we have this great young team. It's wonderful to be considered part of it; I know in that black and white photo that's hung up on somebody's wall in the year 2050, you're gonna look back and see the 2016 Cubs and it's going to get even more glorious by then. To be a member of that is awesome, but I'm just part of it. Jaye: Looking back on last season, what are you proudest of? Joe: I think the fact that we were picked from day one—even before day one, from spring training even, when I talked about embracing the target. I'm most proud of the fact that our guys were able to deal with the pressure and expecta- tions as well as we did. And these guys are young—it's not like you're talking about this salty old group of veterans. Young guys, inexperienced guys, talented, but dealing with an enormous level of expectations and pressure, and going wire-to-wire… To me, that's incredible. It doesn't happen. How do you feel about that, babe? Jaye: I think it's a great accomplishment because only being there for two years, there's a certain feeling of getting all the chemistry and everybody working together and pulling on the same end of the rope. And sometimes that takes a while. But you talk about how great everybody was, and you could actually see it. The team really supports each other, all the teammates, no matter who. It really is a family. Which leads me into this question: Is this club capable of becoming a dynasty? Joe: That's a big word. I know we won the World Series last year and did not the year before, but I like that two years' body of work: [Championship Series] the year before, coming within four games of going to the World Series, to winning the World Series. I don't know what people consider a dynasty: Do you have to win the World Series on an annual basis, or do you have to get deep into the playoffs annually? I think the last one was the Yankees in the mid-'90s or early 2000s, and they had this great core group of wonderful young players, and we have that. So I think we're capable of doing this for a long period of time; I think we have to do it for that word to be attached to us. Jaye: What are you most excited about for the team in 2017? Joe: Most excited about the fact that we could do it again. I've been focusing on the phrase "D-Peat." I'm really eager to see if we can play the same level of defense. Our offense is naturally going to get better because these guys are so young and so skillful and with greater experience, they're just naturally going to get better. So I'm just eager to see the defense and see if we can play on the level we did last year, and if we can, we could replicate a lot of what we did last year. Jaye: Last year it was "Try not to suck." This season, mottos like "Be uncomfort- able" and "Authenticity" have been mentioned… How do you think the slogans have helped the team? JOE COOL

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