CHICAGO — Pitching great Greg Maddux has rejoined the Chicago Cubs as an assistant to general manager Jim Hendry.
The 355-game winner, who started his major league career with the Cubs in 1986 and rejoined them from 2004-06, retired as a player after the 2008 season.
"I'm just going to do what I can to learn how both sides of the game work this year and then kind of make a decision after that," Maddux said when asked if his new job would be a stepping stone to other baseball opportunities.
He said he doesn't currently have a hankering to manage, he's just trying to slowly get back into the game, even though he's only been out for a year.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to learning things about the game that I never thought I had to learn, and at the same time trying to pass down what I've learned the last 20 years to the players that are going to play hopefully for the next 20 years."
Maddux' responsibilities will include assisting the coaching staffs at major league and minor league spring training, evaluating talent and developing minor league players.
"I'll learn now to evaluate players the best I can," Maddux said. "I'm sure there is a system that goes along with that and hopefully I'll have an eye for it."
Maddux, long known as one of baseball's most cerebral pitchers, retired as the eighth-winningest hurler in history. He won the first of his four career Cy Young Awards with the Cubs in 1992, when he went 20-11 with a 2.18 ERA before leaving as a free agent and signing with Atlanta.
He later pitched for the Padres and Dodgers.
Hendry said he approached Maddux about the possibility a couple of months ago and they had been talking about it.
"When Greg Maddux walks in your front door, your organization became a lot better that day," Hendry said.
Maddux could put back on the No. 31 that was retired last season if he helps out in spring training. And he said the hours of his new job will still allow him to spend time with his family.
"I love baseball. I'm looking forward to getting back in and do what I can to balance work and home life as well as I can," he said.