WATCH: Willson Contreras, Joe Maddon share touching embrace in dugout |
ST. LOUIS — Embodying what Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has meant to his players over the course of the past five seasons, late in Sunday's season finale, Maddon shared a touching embrace with catcher Willson Contreras in the dugout. The Cubs lost 9-0 at Busch Stadium to the St. Louis Cardinals on the afternoon, thereby bringing a close to Maddon's tenure as the Cubs' skipper. Maddon took the helm in Wrigleyville in 2015, and, in 2016, he led the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years. However, all good things must come to an end, and the Cubs are now officially on the market for a new manager.
It was announced earlier in the day that Maddon would not return to the Cubs in 2020, with his contract set to expire following the conclusion of the 2019 regular season. While the decision for both parties to move on was mutual and predictable, it still likely stung the veteran Cubs players who have come to look up to Maddon over the years. Therefore, Contreras hugging Maddon with tears in his eyes was a fitting scene to remember Maddon by, as he truly was a player's manager from start to finish. This video says it all and how the players perceive Joe Maddon. I’d imagine this is a tough day for the core group of Cubs players. Maddon was their first manager when these guys were called up and it’s really all they know. pic.twitter.com/hfOWKYscOk @WContreras40 view point on #JoeMaddon #Cubs pic.twitter.com/RCKErDRBFE
