Famous baseball manager and coach Joe Maddon frequently describes different facets of the game with colorful language and metaphors. Time seems to move more or less quickly depending on where you are, according to one of his famous quotations. He talks specifically about Chicago, where he has worked for a large portion of his career.
Consider a clock in a small village that runs at a different speed than those in big cities. When Maddon claims that events and experiences in Chicago seem compressed in comparison to other locations, he is referring to this. According to him, life in Chicago may be so intense or fast-paced that five years there seem like only five to ten years elsewhere.
Maddon's metaphor demonstrates how our perception of time can be influenced by specific surroundings. People who live in different places might not be aware of how their surroundings affect their perception of time and experience, much like a fish is unaware of water until it is out.
This quote explores the idea that every location has its own distinct rhythm and pace, and it's not just about Chicago. Maddon urges us to keep these distinctions in mind when we relocate or contrast our experiences in different places.