March 02--MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon treasured his friendship with Minnie Minoso so much that he went to Sluggers to see Minoso after his introductory news conference at the Cubby Bear in November.
"I was looking forward to at least meeting him a couple times this summer," said Maddon, who mourned the passing of Minoso, a White Sox great who died Sunday at 90. "It's not going to happen it. It's sad. He was a good man, and a really entertaining good man."
Maddon said he became friendly with Minoso during the Rays' annual visits to U.S. Cellular Field, where Minoso would often tell Maddon how much he liked the way his teams played.
"That's what he always wanted to talk about," Maddon recalled. "I tried to speak a little Spanish with him. He was warm with everybody. He just liked to talk about the way our team played."
Minoso, the first black player in Sox history, stood in the back at Maddon's news conference and sent a message for Maddon to meet him at Sluggers. Maddon obliged after conducting several one-on-one interviews.
"He was always upbeat, always friendly," Maddon said. "He was one of my dad's favorites. How could you not love Minnie Minoso?"
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