MESA, Ariz. – From the moment fans at Sloan Park recognized the figure in the red jersey and cap walk into the stadium from left field – a five-man ESPN crew milking every second of a slow-walk, casual “conversation” – the warm embrace from the crowd began Monday.
Over the next 45 minutes of hugs from former players and coaches and extended media interviews on the field, the love for former Cubs manager Joe Maddon grew more vocal as the stands began to fill on Maddon’s first Cubs homecoming since his firing last fall after a five-year run.