Joe Maddon discusses handling criticism, reaching out to Rick Renteria

New Cubs manager Joe Maddon did a pair of radio interviews Friday, first locally on WGWG-FM’s “Kap & Haugh” show and then jumping to a national audience for an interview on The Dan Patrick Show.

Maddon touched on a number of interesting topics, including how he’ll handle the scrutiny that comes with coaching in Chicago to his attempt to reach out to former Cubs manager Rick Renteria.

Here’s the complete interview with Dan Patrick:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPLRce5D8YM&w=560&h=315]

This is what Maddon said when asked how he handles criticism:

“I know I’m gonna be heavily criticized when things don’t go well,” Maddon told Patrick. “I get that. That’s the fan’s prerogative, and I understand the entertainment component of what we do. And at the end of the day, it is the entertainment industry. What I try to avoid is reading a lot or watching TV. Both good or bad. I don’t want to hear how great I am. And if you want to tell me how bad I am it really doesn’t bother me. … I think my skin’s gotten thick enough. I’m sure the thickness of my skin is going to be tested this year at some point.”

The other noteworthy nugget to come out of his appearances Friday came after he was asked on “Kap & Haugh” whether he followed up on reaching out to Renteria, who was fired after one season so that Maddon could take his job.

“Well I did try to call Rick,” Maddon told WGWG-FM. “I left him a message. But I have not heard back. I’m really looking forward to the moment where I can speak to him. When I do speak to him I just want him to know where I came from on this whole thing and have him understand that I was not trying to take anyone’s job. It was an organizational decision. That was the part of all this that if there was something that bothered me it was that. Otherwise it’s a utopian situation for me.

“I didn’t like what happened to Rick. But it wasn’t my decision to make and I hope in the future I can talk to him and become friends.”

You can hear that whole interview on The Game’s website by clicking here.