The Cubs Way

by Tom Verducci

  Spring training is baseball’s backstage pass. You see the inner workings of a group. You see how the parts fit with one another. Last year I saw that the Cubs, after careful planning, struck upon a winning collection of individuals who understood the power of teamwork. I am grateful that this book benefits from a similar kind of power thanks to the contributions and cooperation from so many people.

  At some point during 2016 I interviewed every player on the Cubs’ roster. To a man they were unfailingly polite and insightful. Particular thanks go to Jake Arrieta, Kris Bryant, Dexter Fowler, Kyle Hendricks, Jason Heyward, Jon Lester, Miguel Montero, Anthony Rizzo, David Ross, Addison Russell, and Kyle Schwarber for the frequency and depth of their cooperation.

  Owner Tom Ricketts can enjoy the best kind of success: well-earned and accomplished with good people. A true fan at heart, he provided such accessibility and honesty to me that I sometimes had to remind myself that he actually owned the team.

  I am especially grateful for the insights and cooperation of President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer. Our many conversations were, without fail, informative and enjoyable. They are impressive leaders in so many ways, never more so than in their humility.

  Likewise, Joe Maddon was incredibly giving with his time and wisdom. He is a fountain of baseball knowledge and goodwill, and I am the better each time I share in his company. His entire coaching staff was gracious in their time and assistance.

  Thanks, too, to Senior Vice President of Player Development Jason McLeod for his insights and to Media Relations Director Peter Chase and Assistant Director Jason Carr for their patience and professionalism in answering questions and handling requests.

  I must thank Cubs fans as well. Without connection to community, sports are just glorified versions of fifth-grade gym class: play for play’s sake. Sports at their best bring people together, and I never will forget the joy that pervaded Chicago in October 2016. The people I encountered were delightful without exception—happy to know we all shared in this special time and place.

  Getting this project off the ground would not have been possible without David Black, my agent and the Bernoulli effect behind it. I am indebted to his inspiration, guidance, and friendship. Similarly, Mary Reynics was the Joe Maddon of editors. With just the right touch and the right words at the right time, and above all her belief in me, she gave clarity and polish to the pages.

  I am indebted, too, to my teams at Sports Illustrated, Fox, and Major League Baseball Network. Special thanks go to Chris Stone, Stephen Cannella, and Emma Span at SI for their encouragement and consideration, and to Eric Shanks, John Entz, Judy Boyd, Bardia Shah-Rais, and Pete Macheska at Fox for their faith in me during what was the postseason most every baseball journalist has wanted to cover for more than a century. I know how fortunate I was to enjoy a true front-row seat to history, including our pregame meetings with Joe Maddon and Terry Francona, two class acts.

  Above all, I give the greatest thanks to my wife, Kirsten, and sons, Adam and Ben, for their love. It is hard enough to be gone from home all of October, but then to come home and devote every day of November and December to the grind of reporting and writing this book was a harsh challenge for all of us. Only with their love and understanding is this book possible. To be loved is the greatest gift man can know, and because of my mother and father, sisters and brothers, and wife and sons, I have been truly blessed.

  Montgomery, N.J.

  2017

  TOM VERDUCCI is Sports Illustrated’s senior baseball writer and a two-time National Sportswriter of the Year. He is also a two-time Emmy Award–winning game and studio analyst for Fox Sports and MLB Network. He was cowriter with Joe Torre of The Yankee Years.

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