Just your average Joe?

So, what's the deal with Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon?

Our baseball writer, Marc Topkin, pointed out in Thursday's Times how, uh, well Joe had taken the team's 10th straight loss. Joe talked about it being a "growth moment'' and "lesson learned'' and that sort of rah-rah stuff.

You know, some days I see and listen to Joe and I think what a nice man. Kinda like your grandfather. Of course, when I say grandfather, I mean a really old guy who dozes off while eating pudding for lunch, pretty unaware of what's going on around him.

Then there are days when I think Joe knows exactly what's doing. That he firmly believes showing patience and optimism are his best options while he tries to guide a young, fragile team from worst to future contenders. And that any criticism will crush his kids. I mean, is yelling and breaking chairs going to suddenly make the bullpen better? Will it magically heal Rocco Baldelli and B.J. Upton? Will it turn Edwin Jackson into a 20-game winner?

I go back and forth. What about you? What do you think of the job Joe Maddon is doing with the Devil Rays?

Comments

[Henry Warner]

The Rays are in need of a manager,NOT a Den Mother.If Freidman actually believes that Maddon is doing a good job,he needs to seek the help of a good shrink.Campy & Stocksy need more seasoning in the minors.Joe thinks Jackson did a good job the other night?
My advice for Joe is return to Hazelton,Pa and specialize making Submarine sandwiches.

[Matt]

Let's see, the Cubs are now winning with Lou Panella, who couldn't get the Devil Rays to win. Maybe...just maybe, we need more talent first, especially pitching. Then let's see if he's a good manager or not. A lot of managers would be no better off than Joe with the talent he has. Good talent can certainly make a guy look like a good manager!!!

[Dominic Sciarretta]

In my humble opinion Joe Maddon is not qualified to be manager of tampa Bay devil rays simply because this so called psychology is just not working and i dont know who he is trying to impress with all the gobbbledegook he spouts every day after a loss such as this is helpful we are learning it will get better give me a break im impressed with his vocabulary but nothing else. hope Mom keeps the shop open in Hazleton when they can him

[Joe Colangelo]

I've been around awhile, I've seen enough baseball to know that somethings not right. We know in any ballclub or work force to be good, the unit has to have a feeling or chemistry within itself. Rays have no leader within the club or in the manager. The owner got Maddon cheap so thats what you get a inexperienced person who maybe did a job in Los Angels but Los Angels has a leader, one of the best managers in the big leagues. Maddon remains me of a priest who after mass likes to sit back with the alter boys and drinks the communion wine. I really like to watch him come out of the dugot on a disputed play, the umpires look real scared. Give the job to someone who's really played ball like Foley.

[Nick]

Are you guys kidding me?? What the hell do you expect this guy to get done with what he has to work with? All of these kids are young, and, as they have shown, fragile. He is trying to stay positive and set a precedent. He can't sit and complain he has nothing to work with, or he will offend all of his players. He needs to try to get everything out of them that he can. There have been no problems from BJ or Delmon this yr, which I think is a positive. They have some good young talent, but they need veterans (management, no Maddon) and there is nothing he can do about that.

[Ron Smith]

It's not Madden's fault, it's thirdbase Coach Tom Foley's. In game one of this streak the Rays took on the White Sox. The Sox had just lost a bunch in a row. Bottom of the 6th, the White Sox were up 5-4. Young singled, he stole second, and went to third on a long fly by Gomes. The next hitter, Navarraro, lifts a fly to medium right. Young is held at third!!!! The throw was way up the line and Young would have easily scored. Come on, be aggressive, we're the home team, go for the run. The Sox were on a losing streak of their own. Let's let THEM think nothing is going their way. You have to send the runner. No excuse, Foley. Really poor decision!!! Young has some speed. Wilson flew out to end the inning... and the Rays lost Game 1.

I think Sonnanstine will come around. He's got good command and will get better. Howell does not have enough "heat" to make it in the bigs. I know, I know, there are some major league pitchers who don't throw over 85 mph (Maddux, Rogers, and even Wells does rarely), but those "few" guys are veterans who have been around a long time and KNOW how to pitch. There are very few young pitchers who turn into overnight sensations, and those that DO - have a decent fastball to keep hitters off-balance. Howell does not. His junk may have worked in the minors, but it won't at the major league level. Didn't another team give up on him, and then he drifted into the Rays organization?

[Mr. YRAYS]

There are still some that believe Maddon or MADDUMB as I call him is only in need of players and the players are at fault. HOWEVER, this poor excuse for a manager makes more mistakes on a daily basis to have already cost us AT LEAST a DOZEN games all by himself.

His no rhyme or reason is only matched by his lost looks and unexplainable moves. It is not only time for a managerial change, but for a change of ethic from the DRO/FO and ownership. Since free agency their way will NEVER work. They've had long enough to know what's needed and it's definitely not how they do bottom line business only. It's not JUST a game. It is MORE than just a game! They have shamed the National Pastime with their poor use of a slogan and baseball is more than how they've cheapened it.

It's on field product and NOT free parking, toilet paper, cheerleaders, and a carnival circus. It's product and heritage! It's about time the revenue sharing and luxury tax FREE MONEY were REALLY used for the team. PRODUCT!!!!!
PRODUCT FIRST!!!!!!!!!

24 million is minor league hockey money and the DRO should be ashamed of their on the cheap tactics. They should also be ashamed of their third rate on the cheap, keep his mouth shut manager, and their FREE MONEY to put them in the black without even trying. Their shame should continue for letting down the town, fans, and team with their twist in the wind tactics ..........while dumping salaries. Who's next? C.C. because he told the truth?

Free Agents + REAL Trades + Proper use of the minors in a mesh with the first two = consistent competitive play! It's time, as all these pitchers since Shields are not going to be HOF, even the ones in the minors. We will be lucky to get TWO possibly THREE pitchers out of them all to possibly help elevate this team and it shouldn't and it can't wait THREE to FIVE years to find out!!!! ALL processes need to be working and cheapness and fears need to cease! REAL baseball people need to come in here.

A change of ethic is in order and after seeing Mr. Friedman's reply today we need to have Mr. Stuart Sternberg put aside his friendships and people that have helped him in business and start firing behinds...IMMEDIATELY!!!!! WE NEED BASEBALL PERSONNEL!!!!!!

Mr. Sternberg, I implore you start cleaning your management house and put in REAL baseball knowledgeable personnel, NOT just bottom line business people. Start with Mr. Friedman, as his explanations and conclusions today were moronic and totally spindoctored and unacceptable.

Thank You

MR. YRAYS

[Garth Kroitzsch]

Reading comments about Joe Maddon is almost as much fun as trying to figure out what "positivity" he is going to spin next. For those who blame him for the bullpen, look at the pitching roster at the beginning of spring training and tell me who else hasn't he tried. With the exception of the young starters in the Minors we've used everyone at AAA in relief and they have failed. He doesn't hire them just expects them to play like major leaguers. Joe has his faults but doesn't write the checks. As for Rocco & BJ's injuries being a product of poor conditioning ... that's as funny as saying "put Norton in Centerfield" when both our center fielders go down and a third is almost in jail. Norton & Mohr are hitting a combined "Mendoza Combo". Delmon may be uncomfortable but better than most.

[Jim Bird]

Having trouble deciding on his management skills but he has a team with talent but also one of the dumbest teams in base ball especially in base running.

[homesizzle]

Doing pretty good now!