MESA, Ariz. _ A new book on Cubs manager Joe Maddon is coming out in time for the 2018 season, titled "Try Not to Suck: The Exceptional, Extraordinary Baseball Life of Joe Maddon."
The book focuses on his managerial jobs with the Rays and Cubs, and was written with Maddon's blessing and cooperation.
Has he read it yet?
"No I have not," Maddon said with a grin.
Does he plan on reading it?
"Not any time soon," he replied.
Actually, Maddon said he's happy for the authors, ESPN's Jesse Rogers and MLB.com's Bill Chastain, and hopes the book sells well.
He just doesn't want to read about himself.
"It's really strange for me," he said. "I don't like to read about me, good or bad. Because then you get slanted both ways.
"I hope it works for them. If people enjoy it, that's great. Eventually one day I probably will be involved in (writing my own book). I've been asked since the 2008 World Series."
Maddon said he wouldn't want his own project to be "just a baseball book," meaning it would incorporate his views on life, love and his other outside interests.
"It's kind of narcissistic," he said of autobiographies. "I've always said I don't want to be a black-and-white photograph on somebody's wall too soon."
Maddon said he won't receive any proceeds from the book, but his charity was paid an undisclosed sum for permission to use "Try Not to Suck" in the title. Maddon's charity has the trademark to the phrase that became the theme of the 2016 World Series championship season.
