Joe Maddon Was Doomed by His Own Success

Over a century and a half marked primarily by disappointment, the Chicago Cubs have fired their share of managers. But never before had they done so with the warmth and gratitude that marked their farewell at the end of the 2019 season to Joe Maddon, the manager who just three years ago led the franchise to its first World Series victory in more than 100 years.

In a announcing the decision not to extend Maddon’s expiring contract, the Cubs’ president, Theo Epstein, began his remarks with reference to “lifelong friendship” before explaining that the club and manager had mutually agreed “that this type of change is a win-win.” Maddon one-upped Epstein’s euphemisms, calling it “a great day, actually.” The apparent determination to set a new high-water mark for praise and admiration in the course