Cubs' Maddon expects to have [bleeping] lots to talk about with [bleeping] pal Bryan Price

PITTSBURGH – Yes, Joe Maddon [bleeping] heard Cincinnati manager Bryan Price’s [bleeping], expletive-filled rant against the [bleeping], tweeting Cincinnati baseball writers.

“Definitely aware of it,” the Cubs manager said with a slight smile on the eve of the Cubs weekend series against the Reds and Maddon’s former Texas League starter when Maddon managed the Midland Angels in the mid-1980s.

“When I had him, he had a great pickoff move because a lot of guys got on first base,” Maddon said. “But even back then he was a joy to be around, very bright, analytical in a way, a great conversationalist and funny, very funny.

“Whatever motivated that [tirade Monday], I’m sure we’ll talk about it at some point. … It was kind of amusing in some ways. But don’t’ be deceived; it could happen to any one of us.”

Maybe not any manager.

F-bombs aside, Price apparently got angry because a reporter learned independently about, and reported, the absence from the team of its All-Star catcher, something Price apparently hoped to keep under wraps as part of a strategy to help beat the Brewers.

Maddon, and most other managers, seem to better understand the role of beat reporters (least of which is that they’re not part of the team).

“If you get it on your own, what am I going to do?” said Maddon, who said he “enjoys” the give-and-take and occasional challenge of media. “[If can’t tell you something], I’ll say I can’t tell you. Your job is to do what you do. And my job is to not give it up. Your job is to find it out. And that’s cool.

“At the end of the day, what does it mean? It means it’s great barroom banter, man. And also at the end of the day we’re not trying to conceal weaponry being sold to Iran.

“I don’t view it that way. I hope I never do.”