Octagon Speakers

Recently named 2011 AL Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Joe Maddon has revolutionized the managerial role of sports organizations. He is the living representation of what hard work, determination, and perseverance can bring to a struggling team looking for a leader. As the fourth manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Maddon has legendarily transformed the face of the team from a “laughable disjoined bunch of rookies and castoffs into a vibrant collection of up-and-arriving talent” (Schwartz).   In his first season as manager, Maddon led the Rays to 41 wins at their home turf Tropicana Field, the most in the team’s history. Before Maddon, the Rays never won more than 70 games in their first seasons of existence and went 66-96 last year, the worst record in the American League. However, now with Maddon as their team manager, an individual who has been described by his players as calm, quiet, and trusting, the Rays finished the 2008 season in first place and advanced to their first World Series in franchise history. Maddon has received much recognition and several awards for his innovative yet classic sports management prowess. He is the recipient of the 2008 MLB American League Manager of the Year Award, as well as the BBWAA 2008 American League Manger of the Year Award and countless others.