Fansided

Joe Maddon jokingly Cubs fans they can freak out if they want

By Patrick Schmidt

May 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) answers questions in the dugout before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) answers questions in the dugout before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Panic is settling in for some Chicago Cubs fans and manager Joe Maddon has given them the blessing to freak out if it’ll make them feel any better.

It’s been a disappointing first two months of the season for the defending World Series champion Cubs. After winning the organization’s first World Series in 108 years with a dramatic Game 7 win over the Cleveland Indians last year, the Cubs looked poised to contend for championships for the next few years.

Perhaps thinking dynasty for a team with one ring in 108 years was a bit premature because the Cubs look rather ordinary roughly one-third through the season. After getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Cubs dropped out of first place in the NL Central and are tied for second place with the St. Louis Cardinals and sit 1.5 games behind the surprising Milwaukee Brewers.

Cubs fans rightfully had high expectations for 2017 with the majority of the team returning, save for center fielder and leadoff man Dexter Fowler and closer Aroldis Chapman the notable losses. However, the World Series hangover continues to persist and the team’s dismal play has caused many Cubs fans to think the sky is falling.

Manager Joe Maddon told ESPN.com after Sunday’s loss that if fans want to freak out, they can freak out if it’ll make them feel any better.

"“Please, let them freak out,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said, via ESPN.com. “If you want to freak out, freak out.”"

For some fans, the joy of winning a World Series has been replaced with the dread and anxiety that comes with watching an offense that’s struggled to manufacture runs and with several key hitters, notably Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell off to dreadful starts. Plus, former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta has gone from unhittable to very hittable. Suddenly, the Cubs look like a flawed team that will have to make some trades before the deadline to make noise in the postseason again.

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Other fans are taking comfort in the World Series win last year and the usual hand-wringing that comes with underachieving play has been put on hold, for now. At 25-24, the Cubs have plenty of time to play like the team that was expected to win 92-plus games and run away with the division and content for another title.

Until then, you have Maddon’s permission to freak out. Not that freaking out will do you or the team any good.

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