Major League Baseball

Matheny, Maddon disagree on collision rule -- fuel for Cards-Cubs fire?

Published Feb. 12, 2015 12:49 p.m. ET

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ST. LOUIS -- No one in baseball is a bigger proponent of the rule aimed at eliminating home-plate collisions than Cardinals manager Mike Matheny.

No one in the game is a bigger opponent of the same rule than Joe Maddon, the new manager of the Cardinals' longstanding rival in Chicago.

Might their difference of opinion bring a little more zing to the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry?

Well, say this much: Matheny can't be thrilled to hear a fellow manager bash a change that he believes in, has lobbied for and helped institute. While both managers were catchers during their playing days, only Matheny had his career end prematurely because of concussions.

But asked how much it bugs him to see Maddon speak out against the rule, Matheny replied, "To each his own."

Maddon has not kept his opinion quiet about the rule change that figures to be tweaked again before this season. Speaking to reporters in Florida last summer, Maddon said collisions are part of the game and a change was made only because Buster Posey is a star.

"He's a great player, but come on. Had it been a second- or third-string catcher, I don't think the rule would be in place," Maddon told reporters.

He went so far as to say Posey was at fault in the 2011 collision that ended his season and spurred the talk for a new rule.

"It should never have happened in the first place, that simple," Maddon said in the Tampa Bay Times. "When it occurred, the catcher that was involved was in a bad position. I hate to say it was his fault. I think it was a lot made to do of nothing."

OK, then, why don't you tell us how you really feel, Joe?

In Maddon's response, you can actually detect another reason to believe his move to the NL Central will juice the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry (and any others the Cubs might have). The man does not back down and he does not mind telling you why the other guys are wrong.

As manager of the Rays, his teams fought with every team in the division at one time or another. They developed real, bad blood with the Red Sox and Yankees. While this isn't that unusual between rivals in any division, Maddon's presence made it different in Tampa Bay because, unlike many in uniform, he tends to let you know why the other guys were in the wrong. While Matheny would prefer to keep most of his team's business in the clubhouse, Maddon does not mind airing his opinions publicly.

Cardinals right-hander John Lackey can tell you. In 2013, he plunked the Rays' Matt Joyce in the back after Joyce had homered earlier in the game. After the game, Maddon called Lackey a "bad teammate" for putting the Red Sox's hitters at risk.

Said Maddon in his postgame news conference: "It all started because Matt hit a home run in the first inning and apparently Lackey did not like the fact that he swung at a 3-0 pitch and almost hit another home run. So he intentionally hit him when he did, there's no question in my mind that he did, and the sad part is that I've always considered Lackey a good teammate, but right there he can get one of his own players hurt.

"I really did sense among the group of Red Sox that they were totally not into that moment because they knew it was inappropriate to hit Matt on purpose, and furthermore because one of them can get hurt. So that's being a bad teammate, as far as I'm concerned."

Lackey, by the way, and Maddon knew each other well from their days with the Angels.

Point to remember: Baseball players are known for having long memories about such matters.

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry hasn't been much of a rivalry on the field with the Cubs finishing in fifth place for the past five seasons. It remains a rivalry for the fans but around baseball is considered a friendly rivalry, at least when compared to Giants-Dodgers or Red Sox-Yankees.

Maddon already is being hailed as a savior in Chicago, and for good reasons. He turned the Rays from perennial doormat to perennial contender. He has for several years been considered one of the game's best — and most popular — managers among players, fans and the media. He is approachable, articulate and hipper than most 60-year-olds. But don't mistake his cool for a lack of fire. He wants to win as much as any manager.

This isn't to say he will look for a fight with the Cardinals. But given his past, you can be sure he will not shy from one. If history is any indication, he will be willing to tell you about it afterward — just as he has with his thoughts about the collision rule. Disagree at your own risk.

You can follow Stan McNeal on Twitter at @StanMcNeal or email him at stanmcneal@gmail.com.

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