No longer lovable losers, Cubs have 8 new antics as reigning champs
"Building a new tradition" was a Cubs slogan of the early 1980s - a mantra to remove the shroud of losing that blanketed the team.
But now they're not the lovable losers but the defending World Series champions, and those "new traditions" now might refer to the fun antics and amenities associated with the Cubs.
During this year's playoff run, you'll see these new things during the games, on social media and at Wrigley Field.
1. Bullpen dancing
After a Cubs player homers at Wrigley, cameras pan to the bullpen where relief pitchers have a "Charlie Brown Christmas"-like dance party. They'll do Russian dance kicks, jigs, The Worm, break dancing and more - sometimes while wearing masks and using other props. During a long rain delay in August, the Cubs had an epic dance-off against the Arizona Diamondbacks' bullpen.
2. Faux dugout interviews
It's said Tommy LaStella found a microphone in the clubhouse and it became a prop for his teammates, usually Ian Happ, to conduct mock dugout interviews after home runs. Javy Baez has jumped in by pantomiming a filming of the interview.
3. No more heckling opposing teams' pitchers
Since the bullpens were moved off the field to under the stands at Wrigley this year, Cubs fans can no longer heckle the opposing teams' pitchers as they warm up. Maybe that's a good thing, considering the ugly 2000 incident when a few Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers jumped into the stands and started brawling with Cubs fans.
4. Waving to the dugout
When a Cubs player reached base, he used to put his hands on his head or clench his fists like he was revving a motorcycle. The move this year? Waving to teammates in the dugout.
5. Posing with the World Series trophy
Fans can take free photos in The Trophy Room at The Park at Wrigley, next to the ballpark, even on nongame days.
6. The Park at Wrigley
The space along Clark Street, which last year was a parking lot with trailers, is now a lovely new park. People can sit on the grass and watch the game on a big screen alongside Wrigley Field, parents can play catch with their kids, and food and drinks are available from the new restaurants surrounding the park.
7. Great social media videos
The Cubs stepped up their video and social media game this year, even doing an entire comedy skit, "Bryzzo Souvenir Co.," starring Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. To get fans fired up for the playoffs, they've done inspirational and heartwarming "#Fly the W" videos. Among other improvements, they debuted a popular #ThatsCub hashtag and post many well-done, quickly created GIFs from games on social media.
8. Cubs cereal
Since the Cubs won the World Series, three players have debuted their own cereals - Anthony Rizzo (RizzOs), Ben Zobrist (Zorilla Crunch) and David Ross (Grandpa Rossy Crunch). Rizzo also has his own Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, Rizzo Wrap.