Poll Time

I vote yes for his return, When you have better players alot of "best" things happen. One of his best qualities is his understanding of talent and how best to cultivate it. Now that he has the better tools to work with it is easier to see the good things he has done and also easier to see that some of the bad attributed to him was more than likely the players that were not "big league" material.

I believe the Mudhens had Lou Piniella in Tampa Bay too. He guided them to last place finishes also.

Let Merlot Joe stay and see what he can do. Why make a change, why rock the boat? There's not a person on this planet that could manage these guys out of last place in the AL East with the group of misfits Merlot has to work with.

If anything, Madden deserves a raise and a vote of confidence as he has resurrected the career of Carlos Pena & Al Reyes. He's made a Big Leaguer out of Brendan Harris. BJ, Delmon? For their 1st two full seasons they're dynamite. Kaz & Shields are the only two Big Leaguers on the starting staff and their pitching well. So why would one want to deep six Joey when ownership has handed him lemons and he's made lemonade out of them?

It's time for a Pino Noir in Merlot Joe's honor(Merlot's give me a head ache). A Robert Sinskey is chilling, I know I'll enjoy it.

Thank you R. J. Why do people think that nickname is either clever, witty or relevant? It's so obvious and heavy handed. If anything, there are overtones of silly stereotypes in its use.

As for the question, I am a big supporter of Joe Maddon. I think he is an excellent judge of talent and admire his toughness and fortitude in the face of enormous frustrations. Recently, I have been concerned about what seems like a lack of discipline on the field. If he is unable to get his players to focus properly and play baseball the right way, he may have gotten to the limits of his usefullness. I still vote to extend him, but with less confidence than before.

Are you guys kidding?  I think tonights game is a perfect example of why this clown needs to go back to coaching the bench in a different city.  Why leave Glover in when he is getting hammered?  Enough with the guy's confidence - this is the big leagues!  How soon you all forget the bunting with 1st and 3rds.  Friedman is too smart to excercise his option, and I think the change they have saved over the last few years needs to be spent.

 The Rays need a strong personality in a leadership role who can change the well-ingrained culture of losing. This is especially true given the fact that there are no veteran players with winning experience on the roster.

 I really don't think that Joe Madden has it in him to do it.