Chicago Cubs' Maddon says always celebrate achievement

Party on, Chicago Cubs fans. So says Joe Maddon.

Worried if you are going over the top when the Cubs clinch a wild-card berth? Not possible, says the manager.

With the Cubs on the verge of their first playoff berth since 2008, Maddon isn't waiting for the World Series to start the party. Considering how the Cubs celebrate regular-season victories, it's no surprise Maddon's philosophy for when the postseason clincher comes.

"Biggest celebration possible," Maddon said of plans for when the Cubs clinch. "Celebrate achievement. I love the fact we celebrate every night. It has this bonding effect among the group."

Some managers might prefer a more low-key approach, waiting to pop all that champagne until the league championship or World Series.

Not Maddon. He said the party will only get bigger each round.

"When we go beyond that (winning a round) celebrate a little more," Maddon said. "You may never get to the end. Why miss all these opportunities to celebrate achievement? Always you should celebrate achievement.

"The word party has taken on a negative connotation. There's nothing wrong with having a good party. If you have an opportunity to have a good party, go out and have one. It's OK. Go out and have a good time."

Remembering Yogi:

Before Wednesday's game, the Cubs had a moment of silence for Yogi Berra who died Tuesday night at 90.

Maddon shared his memories of the Hall of Fame catcher. The two first met in 2006 when Maddon was in Tampa Bay, an introduction that came from Don Zimmer.

Berra and Maddon hit it off immediately. They attended each other's charity events and golf outings. Whenever the Rays came to New York to play the Yankees, Berra would visit Maddon's office and the two would talk - baseball, their childhoods, Berra's hitting and more.

"We just started talking," Maddon said. "The incredible thing is you got there the next time and he remembers everything from previous conversations.

"Not many people are recognized by only one name. All the stuff you've read about he says, he says. We miss him."

More animals:

A day after bringing a flamingo, snow leopard cubs, penguin, sloth, armadillo and civet to Wrigley Field for the players and their families, Maddon had a cheetah, named Bibi, on the field, courtesy of the Columbus Zoo.

"I was educated," Maddon said. "I really appreciate it. I'm a fan. I get it now. When you are able to meet the animals and meet the people who are doing this stuff, they have me on board. I was very impressed with what they did."

It's another way Maddon, who said he didn't know what the Cubs' magic number was before the game, is making sure his team doesn't feel any playoff pressure.

"I don't even know if our players know what it is," Maddon said of the magic number, which remained at 3 after a 4-1 loss to Milwaukee. "It's not necessary. I think our guys are in a good place mentally now. I can only mess it up by saying too much. This time of year things start to get tight,

"I don't want that at all. There's no reason for it."