Remember last year, how the Chicago Cubs immortalized the phrase “Try not to suck?” It really did wonders, considering they’re the reigning World Series champions. And Cubs manager and witty quote machine Joe Maddon is keeping the streak alive in terms of catchphrases.
This year, baseball’s master of brevity is doing something different: He’s going to “Embrace the Suck.”
Joe Maddon's 2017 line. pic.twitter.com/UAwfe62W42
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) May 19, 2017
The Chicago Tribune reported that the phrase is common in the military, and originated from Cubs’ minor-league mental skills coordinator Josh Lifrak. That explains the military-themed design.
It’s especially fitting for the Cubs, who have already sported T-shirts that said “Embrace the target” and “Try not to suck,” so this is a fun combination of the two.
“The message cannot be more appropriate than it is right now,” Maddon told the Chicago Tribune last week, referencing the Cubs’ just-over-.500 start to the season. “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”
Just like before, the proceeds from the T-shirts will benefit Maddon’s Respect 90 foundation, which this time will split proceeds with the military.
It can be hard coming off of a championship year and not living up to expectations, but with Maddon at the helm, at least their mentality is well-documented and benefitting a good cause.
