Preview
  • The Cubs Way

  • The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball and Breaking the Curse
  • By: Tom Verducci
  • Narrated by: Tom Verducci
  • Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (768 ratings)

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The Cubs Way

By: Tom Verducci
Narrated by: Tom Verducci
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Publisher's summary

With inside access and reporting, Sports Illustrated senior baseball writer and FOX Sports analyst Tom Verducci reveals how Theo Epstein and Joe Maddon built, led, and inspired the Chicago Cubs team that broke the longest championship drought in sports, chronicling their epic journey to become World Series champions.

It took 108 years, but it really happened. The Chicago Cubs are once again World Series champions.

How did a team composed of unknown young players and supposedly washed-up veterans come together to break the Curse of the Billy Goat? Tom Verducci, twice named National Sportswriter of the Year and cowriter of The Yankee Years with Joe Torre, will have full access to team president Theo Epstein, manager Joe Maddon, and the players to tell the story of the Cubs' transformation from perennial underachievers to the best team in baseball.

Beginning with Epstein's first year with the team in 2011, Verducci will show how Epstein went beyond "Moneyball" thinking to turn around the franchise. Leading the organization with a manual called "The Cubs Way", he focused on the mental side of the game as much as the physical, emphasizing chemistry as well as statistics.

To accomplish his goal, Epstein needed manager Joe Maddon, an eccentric innovator, as his counterweight on the Cubs' bench. A man who encourages themed road trips and late-arrival game days to loosen up his team, Maddon mixed New Age thinking with Old School leadership to help his players find their edge.

The Cubs Way takes listeners behind the scenes, chronicling how key players like Rizzo, Russell, Lester, and Arrieta were deftly brought into the organization by Epstein and coached by Maddon to outperform expectations. Together, Epstein and Maddon proved that clubhouse culture is as important as on-base percentage and that intangible components like personality, vibe, and positive energy are necessary for a team to perform to their fullest potential.

Verducci chronicles the playoff run that culminated in an instant classic Game Seven. He takes a broader look at the history of baseball in Chicago and the almost supernatural element to the team's repeated loses that kept fans suffering but also served to strengthen their loyalty.

The Cubs Way is a celebration of an iconic team and its journey to a World Championship that fans and listeners will cherish for years to come.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2017 Tom Verducci (P)2017 Random House Audio
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What listeners say about The Cubs Way

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Thrilling. Revelatory. Mythic.

When winning the World Series is a more than just destiny. Money, analytics, innovation, character -- and characters.

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1 person found this helpful

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One of Baseball's Best

This is arguably the greatest story in baseball history. The author's research and attention to detail show his deference to the subject matter. Some may squirm at the obvious moments of Tom's fandom leaking through the pages. I thought it was endearing.

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Loved it.

Really in depth, behind the scenes look at how Theo built the Cubs 2016 World Series. Loved It.

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Classic Book About the Youngest Legendary Team Ever

This is an amazing book about the greatest story in the history of sports: the green Chicago Cubs winning the World Series after a century+ drought. Wonderful writing about baseball, character, creativity, life, and resilience. This book puts words to a defining moment for Chicago , Cub fans, and all sports lovers.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Verducci is brilliant

Great book. Tom did a great job of highlighting the Cubs history. Read it twice.

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Wow!

Looking forward to the sequels and the next World Series championship. Four more word remain.

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All the Feels again

I absolutely loved hearing the full, behind the scenes story of the greatest story in baseball history (yes, I am very biased...lol). The twists and turns of that World Series still made me nervous hearing it read to me...just wonderful.

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not a baseball fan, but good

enjoyed it. learned a lot. thought there might be more a leadership. but great what players go through

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Book filled with goosebumps.

This book is so well written, A great complement to the special 2016 Chicago Cubs season #FlyTheW

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Phenomenal

This is a must read/listen for any Cubs fan. Great inside look at the growth of the Cubs from “Lovable Losers” to WORLD SERIES CHAMPION!

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