Rays give Maddon three-year extension
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02/15/2012 - St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays rewarded manager Joe Maddon with a three-year contract extension on Wednesday.
Maddon took over the team prior to the 2006 season and suffered through two losing campaigns before finding success. In 2008, he piloted the franchise to its first winning season (97-65), an AL pennant and a trip to the World Series before falling to Philadelphia in the Fall Classic. Maddon was later rewarded by being named AL Manager of the Year.
The Rays have averaged 90-plus wins over the past four seasons, with three playoff appearances during that span. Tampa Bay has lost in the ALDS in each of the past two seasons.
"In 2005, we hired Joe to be the long-term manager of the Rays, and this extension reaffirms our commitment to him," said Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "I have tremendous respect for Joe's leadership and for his unwavering belief in our players and the entire Rays organization."
Maddon led the Rays to a 91-71 record this past season and was named AL Manager of the Year once more. He is one of only four active managers to win the award multiple times, joining the Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Jim Leyland of the Detroit Tigers and the Dusty Baker of the Cincinnati Reds.
"As I have said before, I believe this is the best organization in Major League Baseball, and I feel fortunate knowing I will be a part of this for the next several years," Maddon stated. "Our ownership group, front office staff and players make the Rays organization the place I want to be."
Prior to his time with Tampa Bay, the 58-year-old Maddon spent 31 years with the Angels organization, including six seasons as bench coach under Mike Scioscia. He was a member of the coaching staff for the 2002 Angels team that defeated the San Francisco Giants in seven games in the World Series. Maddon also saw two stints as interim manager with the Angels (1996, 1999).
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