by Tom Verducci
First published 2017
Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci chronicles how the Chicago Cubs ended their 108-year championship drought. He focuses on team president Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon, who transformed a struggling franchise into World Series winners. Epstein created "The Cubs Way," a manual that prioritized mental preparation and team chemistry alongside traditional statistics. Maddon brought unconventional leadership methods, organizing themed road trips and encouraging late arrivals to reduce player stress. Verducci gained exclusive access to both leaders and key players including Rizzo, Russell, Lester, and Arrieta. He documents their playoff journey through Game Seven of the World Series. The book examines how clubhouse culture proved as vital as statistical analysis in building a championship team. Verducci also explores Chicago's baseball history and the loyalty of Cubs fans during decades of disappointment.
Genres: biography, history, business, sports, non-fiction, baseball
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: transformation, underdog
Setting: Chicago, Wrigley Field
Period: 2016
375 pages · Hardcover · Crown Archetype