The story behind it is simple. The club hasn’t played to it’s potential yet. According to Maddon, this mantra is a way of recognizing that fact so they can move forward.
To Maddon, “Embrace the Suck” is a combination of last year’s mantra, “Try Not To Suck “, and a military saying, “Embrace the Target”, which Maddon learned of during spring training.
“Josh Lifrak, our minor league mental skills coach brought it to my attention,” Maddon said.
In military speak, “Embrace the Suck” means the situation is bad, but you have to deal with it.