Rays Manager's Cycle of Life

By Mike Takeuchi (Photo by Larry Goren)



In my travels, I found that whether one's choice of two-wheeler is a rusty old cruiser or the latest $10,000 carbon schnitzel road bike, the subject of bicycling is often a great icebreaker.

I will never forget the time when an initially crotchety elderly gentleman melted into whimsy when he was asked about a 50-year-old bike in the corner of his store

Recently, a similar discussion with a regular "Joe" occurred.

Perhaps Joe Maddon was tired about talking about the game the night before. Or maybe the Tampa Bay Rays' manager was done explaining the many moves of a roster that includes former Santa Barbara Foresters pitchers Matt Garza and James Shields and how they will keep them in contention for a playoff berth.

But as he sat in the visitor's dugout in Anaheim, Maddon's eyes lit up and his voice became animated when the subject of bicycling came up. An avid cyclist, the former bench coach for the Angels has taken a bike on the road with him for years much to the delight of Mike Scioscia, his opposing manager and former boss.

"Joe loves that thing," Scioscia said. "Whenever he went out on the road, he had to have it with him."

In addition to his ever-present laptop, an iPod full of eclectic music, and some books, Maddon always brought along a mountain bike that would require disassembling and reassembling with every stop. To his former manager's amusement, he would often ride from the team's hotel to the stadium.

Now, as manager of a World Series team, he can afford three bikes, a Trek 6500 mountain bike, a Trek 7700 FX hybrid, and a Bike Friday-a high end folding bike that fits in a suitcase.

The Bike Friday, which is made by Green Gear Cycling in Eugene, Ore., allows Madden to ride 80-100 miles a week when he's on the road.

"I really like the Bike Friday because it's a great bike and very convenient for the road," Maddon said.

Despite having first-rate workout facilities in the stadiums and hotels that the team visits, Maddon chooses cycling over the Stairmaster.

"It's great, people have no idea how good it is when concerning your stress level," he said. "You can go to the gym and ride a stationary bike, but it doesn't have the same feel of riding outdoors. When it comes down to feeling the wind and Sun on your face, it's not even close."