So, what's the deal with Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon?

Our baseball writer, Marc Topkin, pointed out in Thursday's Times how, uh, well Joe had taken the team's 10th straight loss. Joe talked about it being a "growth moment'' and "lesson learned'' and that sort of rah-rah stuff.

You know, some days I see and listen to Joe and I think what a nice man. Kinda like your grandfather. Of course, when I say grandfather, I mean a really old guy who dozes off while eating pudding for lunch, pretty unaware of what's going on around him.

Then there are days when I think Joe knows exactly what's doing. That he firmly believes showing patience and optimism are his best options while he tries to guide a young, fragile team from worst to future contenders. And that any criticism will crush his kids. I mean, is yelling and breaking chairs going to suddenly make the bullpen better? Will it magically heal Rocco Baldelli and B.J. Upton? Will it turn Edwin Jackson into a 20-game winner?

I go back and forth. What about you? What do you think of the job Joe Maddon is doing with the Devil Rays?