The Athletic: "Q&A with Joe Maddon after surprise firing from Angels: I want to manage"

[BTH]

Ken Rosenthal published a Q&A with Joe Maddon shortly after his firing.

Link: https://theathletic.com/3353876/2022/06/07/maddon-angels-interview/

 

I felt like this deserved its own thread. I'm not gonna post the entire article, since it's behind a paywall, but I felt this part was particularly noteworthy:

 

"I'm into analytics, but not to the point where everybody wants to shove it down your throat."

"It's too controlled by front offices these days"

"I actually talked to Perry about this. This isn't anything new. I told him that. I said you just try to reduce the information you're giving, try to be aware of who's giving the information and really be aware of when it's time to stay out of the way."

 

Sounds to me like there was a big internal debate over the use of analytics between the front office and Maddon. That seems like the biggest reason Minasian wanted to fire Maddon.

[Lou]

You believe obviously they (players) are with you.

100 percent.

 

That's not what was reported elsewhere.

[UndertheHalo]

Man.  He really really loves not taking any ownership of this.  I really didn’t like this.  Even if he doesn’t believe he’s culpable and I mean fair enough it’s not all him of course.  But Jesus take some of it man.  Just say the right thing.  Can’t even be bothered to do that I guess.  I’m pretty confident it was the right thing to get rid of him after reading that.  Not good at all.  
 

and all the nonsense about “duuuurrr actually love analytics but not too much”.  Makes you think.  

Edited June 7, 2022 by UndertheHalo

[Taylor]

He strikes me as a narcissist.

[Halo in Chicago]

 No surprise. He got canned by the Cubs and tried to say it was mutual. It wasn’t. They fired his ass. 

[Biergott]

That Trout reaction to the intentional bases loaded walk could’ve been the first visual clue of Joe beginning to lose the confidence of the players

[bloodbrother]

15 minutes ago, UndertheHalo said:

Man.  He really really loves not taking any ownership of this.  I really didn’t like this.  Even he doesn’t believe he culpable and I mean fair enough it’s not all him of course.  But Jesus take some of it man.  Just say the right thing.  Can’t even be bothered to do that I guess.  I’m pretty confident it was the right thing to get rid of him after reading that.  Not good at all.  
 

and all the nonsense about “duuuurrr actually love analytics but not too much”.  Makes you think.  

That's nothing new with him.

 

[Biergott]

I’m actually kinda surprised reading this.  I never viewed him as having a massive ego and such a narcissistic view of himself in previous interviews I’ve see or read from him.  But I also don’t really follow managers.  I follow players and the team

but wow, after reading this, I’m even happier at the decision.  He’s clueless and has zero grasp on reality.