Joe Maddon

Lore & Background

Maddon grew up in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the son of an Italian father, Joseph Anthony Maddon, and a Polish mother, Albina Klocek. He attended Lafayette College, where he played baseball and football. He began his professional career playing in Minor League Baseball as a catcher, signing with the California Angels organization as a free agent in 1975. He never advanced higher than Class A. After four seasons, he gave up his playing career and became a coach. He served as a major league coach for the Angels from 1994 to 2005, including two stints as interim manager. He managed the Rays from 2006 through 2014, winning the 2008 American League pennant. After opting out of his contract following the 2014 season, he joined the Cubs, leading them to the 2015 National League Championship Series and the 2016 World Series title. He managed the Cubs through 2019 and managed the Angels from 2020 to 2022.

Reader's Guide

Maddon's managerial career includes leading the Rays to their first World Series appearance in 2008, winning the 2016 World Series with the Cubs, and managing the Angels from 2020 to 2022. He won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 2008 and 2011, and the National League Manager of the Year Award in 2015.

Did You Know?

• Maddon spent 31 years overall with the Angels organization as a player, coach, and manager.
• He earned his 500th career win as manager on April 16, 2012, and his 700th win on May 25, 2014.
• Maddon once submitted a batting order based on the song '867-5309/Jenny' by Tommy Tutone.