(670 The Score) Winning 95 regular-season games in 2018 felt like an empty accomplishment for the Cubs after the National League Central crown slipped away in a Game 163 at Wrigley Field and they were eliminated a day later in the wild-card game.
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein offered his disappointment at the end of the season, stating that greater urgency was needed and the team had to appreciate each of its 162 games. Now, it's manager Joe Maddon setting the tone as the Cubs prepare for the 2019 campaign with pitchers and catchers -- and many position players, too -- already reporting for spring training in Mesa, Arizona.
Maddon has set his motto for the 2019 Cubs, which follows the organizational hope for greater urgency: "Own it now."
"A big part of our success this year is going to be the fact that we own each moment," Maddon said Tuesday afternoon as the Cubs opened their spring training camp. "And if you take the word 'now' and turn it around, it becomes 'won.'"
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In his fifth season in Chicago, Maddon is among those from whom more is required. He's entering the final season of his contract without a guarantee beyond 2019. One of his vows this season is to indeed direct the Cubs to approach each day with greater urgency, as Maddon has already proclaimed he plans on have a more hands-on role with players.
The Cubs are 387-261 during Maddon's tenure as manager, reaching the postseason in each of their first four years. The team has two division titles and the 2016 World Series under his watch while also reaching the NL Championship Series from 2015-'17.
