This time last year a lot of people in this town wanted Joe Maddon fired. Oh, come on ... if you were one of them, it’s OK to admit it. I wasn’t, by the way, and if anyone questions that I have indisputable archive evidence - published, coincidentally, exactly one year ago today.

But anyway, Maddon has pushed every correct button this year and looks like a lock (with admittedly nearly six weeks left in the season) for manager of the year.

The Rays have 37 games remaining heading into tonight’s game against the Angels. If they win just 19 of those that would give them 96 for the season. It would rank among the greatest one-year turnarounds in baseball history, especially given the injuries that have befallen the mainstays basically from Opening Day. It seems like somebody vital has always been hurt.

I talked to bench coach Dave Martinez recently about Maddon an Dave couldn’t heap enough praise on him. He has handled the bullpen extremely well and we’ve seen the way he has dealt with the B.J. Upton mess lately. His latest move - turning B.J.’s gaffe Monday over to clubhouse veterans to deal with - was a deft gambit. It’s just one more example of how the Rays are operating as a unit this season - from the front office, to Maddon, to the clubhouse.

The people who dismissed Maddon as too positive or too Polyanna during his first two years must be at least a little surprised this season. He has shown a tougher side, from benching Upton to taking his team to task for fundamental breakdowns occasionally. He has basically been what you want/expect a top manager to be - consistent, on top of his game, and in control.