Maddon's plan for Angels blends analytics, fundamentals

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Joe Maddon was a part of the Los Angeles Angels organization during most of its glory days, including that lone World Series championship in 2002.

With many of his past players and future ones in the crowd Thursday, Maddon outlined his vision for trying to bring the Angels back into contention during his first news conference as manager.

Much of that comes from things he learned in the Angels farm system in the late 1970s and early-to-mid 1980s, first as a player and then as a coach. In short, he is looking for a fundamentally sound team with a simple, aggressive style.

Most of all, he is looking to get the Angels back to a perfect balance of using analytics and the human element of the game. Or as Madden puts it, data versus art.

"My point is to move this thing forward, I want to create this method that incorporates both," said Maddon, who agreed to a three-year deal on Oct. 16. "I think we did it in Chicago and I want to bring it here. I did it previously in Tampa Bay. I love them both. But you can not be so heavy sided one way or the other and think you will be that successful on an annual basis.

"In today's game, everyone is working off the same sheet of music. I think there's a reason why fans have been turned off a bit by our game. That's because the game looks the same no matter where you go."

In the 14 years since he left the Angels, Maddon has continued to enjoy success. The three-time Manager of the Year spent nine seasons with Tampa Bay, including leading the Rays to the AL pennant in 2008 before a five-year run in Chicago, which included leading the Cubs to a championship in 2016 for the first time in 108 years.

Maddon will be asked to perform the same turnaround in Los Angeles, whose 72-90 record this season was its worst since...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Maddon-s-plan-for-Angels-blends-analytics-14560898.php