From T-shirt to Branded Beer: Cubs Manager Joe Maddon’s 'Try Not to Suck' Empire

Likeable figures abound in MLB, with Joe Maddon being among the most revered. Since leading the Chicago Cubs to the 2016 World Series title that ended the franchise’s 108-year championship drought, the manager can never do any wrong in the eyes of Illinois residents, but the 65-year-old has far more on his mind than delighting ballpark attendees. Having helped to catapult the Cubbies to glory through his "try not to suck" suggestion to star infielder Javier Baez, Maddon is now making good on that very advice through a branded beer whose sales help to benefit his Respect 90 foundation and another charitable organization.

🍻 Coming soon to a store near you! @CubsJoeMadd’s #TryNotToSuck Belgian Style Lager brewed by @HaymarketPub & RNR Brews hits shelves at @jewelosco / @BinnysBev Wednesday 4/10. Proceeds benefiting #Respect90 & @RagsOfHonorUSA. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/T4KSEbKBF3

— Respect 90 Foundation (@Maddonrespect90) April 2, 2019

The three-time Manager of the Year debuted the potable earlier this month and gave a vast account of his philanthropic plan for it Tuesday, with The Chicago Tribune noting that profits will assist Rags of Honor 1, a homeless veterans nonprofit, and Respect 90, Maddon’s means of helping to provide “children and families opportunities to develop championship attitudes through sports, academics and community involvement.” By furthering the foundation’s mission through sales of the Try Not to Suck lager, he is proving both altruistic and committed to addressing the power of branding, as the beverage becomes yet another product, joining a T-shirt and a book, to have the “Try Not to Suck” message on it.

The beer, according to the aforementioned publication, will likely be available throughout Chicago for the remainder of the baseball season and possibly beyond, so that is certainly good news for Respect 90 and Cubs supporters, who would love to imbibe it as they hope their team can secure what would be a fifth-straight playoff appearance. As far as the look of the Try Not to Suck cans, we applaud their color scheme and design, especially the font selection for the give-it-your-best-shot encouragement. With the season picking up steam, here’s hoping that, for the sake of Cubs fans, the athletes stay on track and that Maddon, who also hawks his family's pasta sauce, draws in considerable press and revenue for the Try Not to Suck concept and its humanitarian goals.