St. Petersburg, Fla. -- Joe Maddon knew his contract situation would be worked out. When a three-year contract extension was formally announced, Maddon praised work environment as the overriding factor to return at a below-market rate.
"It's a great moment for me and my family," Maddon said. "I hope it's great for the Rays too."
It's what Maddon affectionally calls the Ray Way. While dealing with a lesser budget than their A.L. East counterparts the Red Sox and Yankees, Maddon relishes the challenge.
"There's a freedom to try things and think differently," Maddon said. "and that's really important to be successful in the situation and in the market where the difference between winning and losing is such a miniscule line."
Maddon led the Rays to the team's second division title in 2011. After the playoffs, he turned his focus to the Hazleton Integration Project (HIP) in his Pennsylvania hometown.
The goal is to help integrated the growing Hispanic population to revive Hazelton. Maddon helped raise $100,000 in the first year.
After Maddon's contract extension was announced, Rays' president Matt Silverman informed Maddon the team was donating another $100,000 to HIP and Thanksmas, Maddon's other side project to help feed the needy during the the holidays.
"When you're organization backs up your projects that way," Maddon said. "It's special. It's different."
Maddon recently returned from a European vacation that included stops in Greece, Italy, and Spain.
Now Maddon is ready to start the 2012 season in Port Charlotte.
"I've been taking notes all offseason," Maddon said.
Travis Bell, 10 News