Perhaps a little groggy and gruff after a 42-hour celebration complete with rock star sing-alongs, the discovery and retrieval of Kyle Schwarber’s legendary home run ball and a baseball watch party, the Cubs returned to work on Thursday.
As he stepped to the podium before an afternoon workout at Wrigley Field, Cubs manager Joe Maddon bore the spoils of Tuesday’s victory to advance to the National League Championship Series in the form of a cold and an extra gravely voice.
Much like his players, Maddon relished the rare chance to enjoy a few days off in a city famished for a winner after the Cubs punched their ticket to the NLCS early with a Game 4 victory over the St.