Friday column: Three unusual keys to victory

You gotta love Joe Maddon.

OK. You don’t have to. But I do, and have ever since I read his remarks in spring training about his keys to his Tampa Bay Rays returning to the World Series.

“I’ve said all along ... my biggest concern is how we were going to react to success. …” Maddon said. “Gratitude and humility, I really believe in that.”

Maddon, who led the American League to a 4-3 victory in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, does more than believe in it. He lives it.

Witness his attitude not only last year when his Rays shocked the baseball world by beating the mighty Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, but at this week’s All-Star festivities, where, smiling, he introduced himself to strangers, had his photo taken with anyone toting a camera, and generally enjoyed every moment.

He even took time to remind his players to savor the experience.

Writes John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times: “… he began telling them what it meant to be an All-Star. How it was a moment that should not be taken for granted. That it was an honor and an experience to be enjoyed. That they did not want to wake up later in the week and realize they had not taken the time to appreciate what this moment meant in their careers and lives.”

Maddon’s sense of gratitude and humility might come from his family — his 75-year-old mother, Beanie, still cooks and waits tables as the Third Base Luncheonette in Hazleton, Pa. Or it might come from the fact he’s only one of 10 All-Star managers to have never played in the bigs. Or to the fact it took him 25 years of coaching to get a crack at leading a major league team.

The 55-year-old — one of the first baseball men to utilize computer technology — has an inquiring mind, and is not afraid to be unconventional.

“He’s an outside-the-box thinker,” his son, Joey, says. “He used to ride his bike in Mesa, Ariz., then lie on a yoga mat on the grass in the front yard and do yoga in his spandex. Everybody could see him, but he doesn’t care what anybody thinks.”

That was clear last year when Maddon got his white hair clipped on a Mohawk following the lead of B.J. Upton, his young left fielder.

“He’s a young team’s manager,” Upton said. “He allows us to have fun.”

Yet last year when a seven-game losing streak threatened the team’s post-season chances, he went after his youngsters for violating his only team “rule” — hustle and effort at all times.

“The message was, basically, we’re in a position right now that’s actually very special and needs to be treated with respect,” Maddon said.

Add respect to Maddon’s other keys of gratitude and humility.

What’s not to like about this guy?

Contact Jim Gordon at gjames43@msn.com