Maddon, Arians chat Trout, Brady in show debut

It's time to kick back and have Angels manager Joe Maddon pour you some wine. Today's selection is a Gran Cabernet Franc from Argentina, and you'll have another special guest joining you -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians.

It's all part of MLB's debut episode of "Uncorked" with Maddon, in which the famed manager wants to "keep the momentum of the 2020 season alive" while sharing insights and stories with you along the way.

Maddon and Arians share a lot of similarities -- both have been high-profile sports figures in Tampa Bay, with Maddon leading the Rays from 2006-14, and Arians taking over as Bucs head coach in 2019. The two also got their first managing/head-coaching gigs in an interim role, with Maddon managing the Angels for 22 games in 1996 (8-14 record) and 29 games in '99 (19-10) and Arians leading the Indianapolis Colts to a 9-3 record in 2012.

Before bringing Arians on, Maddon shares a very personal keepsake of his -- the Angels cap his father wore every day before passing away in 2002, the same year the club won the World Series.

"[The hat] is kind of reminiscent of what's going on right now," Maddon said. "Even though we're not here in the same room together, this hat and my pop have an impact on me every day. We're all starved for connection right now. The ability to go down to the local tavern and sit at the bar and meet your buds, it's just not happening. So we've got to do it virtually. So today, I have the pleasure of virtually connecting with B.A."

Maddon and Arians discuss their shared philosophy on competing, which Arians calls "no risk-it, no biscuit," and Maddon calls the "fortune favors the bold" concept. Maddon then asks Arians about a certain free-agent signing Tampa Bay made this offseason -- Tom Brady.

"We've got a great locker room," Arians said, "but to now get a guy who's been there, done it six times, the G.O.A.T -- when he talks, they listen. ... He commands excellence on the field, and there's no relaxation on the field when he's out there. If you're supposed to be on a certain spot on a route, you better be there, or he's going to talk to you about it."

That was a perfect segue to a discussion about "The Last Dance," which conveyed the intensely competitive nature of Michael Jordan. Arians said he hasn't seen the documentary yet and will binge-watch it all at once. But he did say that the most competitive player he has ever coached is Peyton Manning.

While Arians will get to see the competitive fire of Brady for the first time as a coach, Maddon also has a superstar player on the new club he will manage.

"I have Michael Trout," Maddon said. "A couple of years ago, I mentioned that this guy could be the logo, like Jerry West with the NBA. ... Michael Trout, when this is all said and done, has a chance to be the best player in the history of baseball."

Don't miss the first episode of "Uncorked," in which Maddon gives you a taste of what's to come, not to mention his wine pick for the day. And as he said in closing, "always believe that the glass is half-full. I know it's tough, and some have had it tougher than others ... but while you're going through this moment, believe there's going to be a good ending to it."