Chicago Cubs

Why Cubs' Team Plane Diverted During Flight to Los Angeles

A spokesman told NBC Chicago on Friday morning the plane was routed to Albuquerque because of an ill family member on the flight

A day before the Chicago Cubs were due to take on the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS Saturday night, the team's plane was diverted en route to Los Angeles.

A spokesman told NBC Chicago on Friday morning the plane was routed to Albuquerque because of an ill family member on the flight. Manager Joe Maddon confirmed to the Chicago Tribune the family member was pitcher Jose Quintana's wife.

An initial USA Today report noted Quintana's wife, Michel, experienced an irregular heartbeat on board, forcing the plane to land.

Quintana stayed in Albuquerque while his wife was treated at a local hospital, according to USA Today. 

Maddon described the flight as "raucous" and praised his players for their empathy and understanding during the diversion.

After the diversion, the plane's pilot was out of allotted hours to fly and the team was left waiting for a new pilot, the spokesman said. 

They departed once again for LAX soon after, and Quintana and his wife arrived in California late that night.

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