Joe Maddon Promises “Big” Party When Cubs Clinch Playoff Spot

With a playoff spot within sight, the Chicago Cubs are starting to plan how they will celebrate when they wrap up their first postseason appearance in seven years, and manager Joe Maddon is hoping for a blowout celebration.

“As big as it could possibly be,” Maddon said when asked how his team would celebrate when wrapping up a playoff berth. “You celebrate achievement all the time. So I love the fact that we celebrate every night. It has this bonding effect among the group. And then when you go beyond that, celebrate just a little bit harder.”

The team already celebrates every night according to CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney, with DJ lights and a fog machine in the clubhouse to mark victories.

Any postseason clinching party would surely include plenty of music and a late night at the ballpark, but Maddon did hedge his bets slightly to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.

“We have constraints,” he said. “You’ve got to get home. You’ve got the game the next day.”

Despite that limitation, Maddon wants his team to celebrate, and he took the opportunity to discuss how parties are perceived in society.

“Listen, the word ‘party’ has taken on a negative connotation in our country these days,” he said. “It’s really bumming me out. There’s nothing wrong with having a good party. So if you have an opportunity to have a good party, go out and have one. And it’s OK to have a good time.”

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