If Cubs win it all, credit Maddon's oncoming beard
And you thought Joe Maddon was growing a beard just to grow a beard?
No way. The Chicago Cubs manager is way too calculating for that. If he's growing a beard, there must be a broader picture than him simply wanting to scratch some scruff in the dugout.
And lo and behold, we have found our deeper meaning. At least Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times did, revealing that Maddon's whiskers are a tribute to past Chicago head coaches who have won titles: Mike Ditka with Bears, Phil Jackson with the Bulls, Ozzie Guillen with the White Sox and Joel Queenville with the Blackhawks.
All wore facial hair, and, of course, the notable team not on that list is the sweet, lovable Cubbies. A lot of other things have been tried over the last century-plus, so why not facial hair? It worked for those other guys.
"So since facial hair is the key, I thought I would take it the next level,” Maddon said. “I’m trying. I’ve always been challenged. But I’m not giving up on it.”
Keep going, Joe. This could be legendary.
(h/t Chicago Tribune)
