Joe Maddon’s Got Raheem’s Ear
November 17th, 2010
Intelligent baseball fans know Joe wears his heart on his sleeve after every Rays game on JoeRaysFan.com, the best damn Rays site known to mankind.
So Joe is very plugged in to everything Rays.
Raheem Morris is a Rays fan, too, and an admitted fan and friend of the Rays’ maddening skipper, Merlot Joe Maddon.
Several weeks ago Morris told the story during a news conference of how he planned to keep his famed “Race To 10” motto only among the Bucs, but after a fireside chat with Maddon was advised to tell the world about the 2010 Bucs’ rallying cry: “Race To 10.”
And Raheem went for it.
Raheem said Maddon inspired him to let the catch phrase infest the community and take a life of its own, a little Bucs “mentality before reality” for everyone to share.
At that point, Joe was worried Maddon would start trying to convince Raheem to play all kinds of different bizarre lineups, get all mad scientist with his playbook, and make the offensive linemen walk around town in plaid jackets, among other assorted unorthodox behavior.
But Joe shrugged it off.
On Monday, however, during the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620, co-host and former Bucs guard Ian Beckles relayed a story of how he met Raheem on Friday at a swanky South Tampa restaurant.
Beckles said he entered the restaurant for a casual business meeting when he saw Raheem, Maddon, Rays president Matt Silverman and Bucs receivers coach Eric Yarber bellied up to the bar enjoying adult beverages.
Beckles said he took advantage of the chance to chat with Raheem one on one and left the head coach impressed.
That’s all lovely, but Joe is now increasingly worried that Maddon is trying to play some sort of mentor role with Raheem.
Of course, Raheem is his own man, but Joe is quite sure that Maddon’s stats-focused/psychoanalyst approach to baseball doesn’t translate to the NFL, and Joe is leery of Raheem entertaining such thoughts while consuming a few hard-earned cold ones.
After all, Maddon “wants to be the smartest guy in the room,” and he might just feel the urge to play a little fantasy football on a grand scale.
Joe’s going to keep an eye on this. If LeGarrette Blount is sat down because he’s reached some concocted maximum number of carries, or Todd Wash gets a Derek Shelton pass, Joe will know something’s up.
November 17th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Pound the Rock worked …..
So why not Race to 10?
I just hope the Bucs Race and do not stumble
November 17th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Joe I think it’s time that some managers actually USED stats in football.
November 17th, 2010 at 8:15 am
This week vs. 49ers the Bucs should expected to be Gored. so stack the box, let Aquib and Rhonde go mano-mano and stuff San Fran.
November 17th, 2010 at 8:46 am
What is wrong with Maddon?
Is it because he won 2 NL east divisions with Rays?
Or perhaps he made it to the World Series?
That division does have the two big spenders the Red Sox and Yankees in it.
Why do local sports writers take jabs at a winner? The only winner in baseball we have have to include the Lou Pinella’s poor performance.
Raheem has a lot to learn from that winner. I see no problem with a young coach hanging with a winner.
November 17th, 2010 at 8:59 am
What restaurant?
November 17th, 2010 at 9:17 am
This article was suppose to be funny….right?
November 17th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Yeah because Raheem never spent time with John Gruden.
Gruden was/is the NFL version of Maddon always trying to create the perfect matchup.
One thing that Maddon has always been praised for is getting the most out of young players. (John Jaso comes to mind.) He always has his team ready to play and Raheem is smart to look to him for whatever advice he can give him.
November 17th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Yeah I don’t want to see Raheem doing any more of that ‘funny stuff’ like the onsides kick against the Falcons – NOT!
The more creative the better – but remember this: Fundamentals First!
November 17th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Hey anyone want to hire Wade Phillips as the Bucs DC?
November 17th, 2010 at 9:46 am
JDouble, im thinking the same thing. I cant figure out if this is serious or not????
November 17th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I’m thinking it’s suppose to be funny and I just don’t get it because I don’t follow baseball. Atleast I’m hoping that’s the case. The alternative is that Joe thinks Raheem is a 12 year old simplton that this Madden guy can control like a puppet.
November 17th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Hey guys it’s a slow news day….
November 17th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Uh, maybe they’re just friends(RahJoe). It is a pretty elite club as they say (coaches/gm’s) and who the hell else(starstruck) are they going to hang out with(at home) that can relate to their everyday lives. They can’t really run with the players because it can create fraternization conflicts. The two best words used in the article were “hard-earned”. Ian Beckles, like the Big Dog, has a big mouth, and loves himself way too much. Think about what you’re going to say before you say it. What are the ramifications? Ian runs off at the mouth way too often and that’s why I don’t listen to him, but I like Ron Diaz. If coach Rah invited Ian to meet him and the boys for drinks, Ian is a fool to kiss and tell, and I doubt he gets the invite again.
If Joe was to finally achieve his long sought after goal of spending one evening with THE ONE lovely former cheerleader he so passionately desires, would he kiss and tell? the next morning as if it was Christmas? like a kid? I think not; Joe is much too smart for that, and would not mess up a good thing. Ian on the other hand has been hit in the head one too many times.
The important thing here is that our Coaches take a cab or limo home. We need them all way too much.
November 17th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
BigMack – just remember if they take a cab – NO PUNCHING THE DRIVER!
November 17th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I don’t get it. I thought the Rays were a good club. This is a very strange article.
November 17th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Personally, I like when we’re not sure when Joe is kidding or not, but this is obviously tongue and cheek. Very enjoyable, especially if you’re one of the millions who have lost hair because of Joe Maddon.
November 18th, 2010 at 2:21 am
R u FUKIN /serious!?! C’mon man, you’re better than this.