It was six o'clock on Tuesday night when former Rays manager Joe Maddon walked up the opposing dugout steps and on to the turf of Tropicana Field for the first time since he left the Rays to take over as the skipper of the Chcago Cubs.

Maddon and his Cubs were in town for a quick two game series and the minute he stepped on to the field, you could feel all the love from Rays and Cubs fans alike raining down from the stands.

"Hey Joe" "Welcome home" came the shouts from the stands which were beggining to fill up.

"I have been looking forward to this game ever since I saw it on the schedule" the 63 year old skipper told the media before the game. Maddon went on to say, "It's good to work a game in the building where pretty much this group gave you your opportunity to become a major league manager"

Maddon made mention to many great moments in his nine years as the Rays manager, everything from the final out of the 2008 ALCS against the Red Sox that sent the underdog Rays to the teams first World Series to being part of a team led by former Rays General Manager Andrew Friedman that was responsible for changing the baseball culture in St. Pete.

Maddon spoke with the Tampa Bay media for twenty five minutes before the game and was very candid on many of the topics that were discussed including where the team should move too.

"It's got to be across the pond man, Maddon said, I think downtown Tampa"

Maddon and his wife Jaye are not only residents of Tampa but business owners as well.

Maddon said "In order for this organization to get to where it really wants on an annual basis, you need a better building in a better spot".

Maddon joked that these are comments he obviously could not have made when he was the manager of team but was very greatful and complimetary of where the organization is going in the post Maddon area, saying "They have more then enough pieces to be successful here" and "I really like this roster"