There was the target, which Cubs manager Joe Maddon urged the Cubs to embrace.
There was the "suck," which Maddon encouraged the Cubs to try not to do.
Now, Maddon is hoping his team will "Embrace the suck."
Maddon sported a camouflage green T-shirt Friday with those words on it, the latest in a line of shirts Maddon has pushed since arriving in Chicago before the 2015 season.
The phrase, commonly used in the military, first came to Maddon's attention during spring training, when minor-league mental skills coordinator Josh Lifrak suggested the slogan to Maddon.
Maddon said a deal was worked out in which Maddon's "Respect 90" foundation and the military will split proceeds from the sale of the shirts.
Maddon also thought it appropriate to marry two popular phrases that graced his T-shirts in the past _ "Embrace the target" and "Try not to suck" _ especially given the team's slow start compared to last season.
"The message cannot be more appropriate than it is right now," Maddon said before Friday's game against the Brewers. "I thought it was perfect the moment I heard it in camp.
"I want our guys to understand we haven't done our best work to this point, but that's a good thing. To really stay focused and understand the better days are coming."
Maddon said to expect "utopia" like the Cubs' 25-6 start last season is unrealistic, so he wants his team to learn from its 21-19 start _ and its mistakes.
