Cubs Take Victory Celebrations To Dedicated Party Room

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Don't ever let the pressure exceed the pleasure.

Joe Maddon's message to the Cubs last season instantly resonated with his new ballclub. Fun followed every step of the Cubs' run to the NLCS, with Maddon's madness making for great memories. Part of the manager's request was for his players to enjoy every victory -- to savor them.

Following Maddon's lead, Anthony Rizzo covered the bill for equipment to turn the Cubs' cramped clubhouse into a nightclub, purchasing a smoke machine, strobe lights and anything else deemed necessary.

Now, the Cubs have 30,000 feet of state-of-the-art clubhouse real estate to their own, a space that's perhaps too nice for crazed parties. So the team stepped up and created a party room. Veteran catcher David Ross isn't sure if he likes Rizzo's or the Cubs' parties better.

"Rizz had a good one, but that (new) one there has got TVs, lights and smoke," Ross said. "There's something to be said about the original. It's like Die Hard 1. You can't replace that. Die Hard 2, it's just different."

Naturally, Ross then apologized for dating himself with the Die Hard reference, but the 39-year-old known as "Grandpa Rossy" is often leading the charge in the Cubs' postgame celebrations.

Similar to the Cubs, the Astros last season turned their clubhouse into a nightclub. But no team in baseball does it like the Cubs, with a raucous celebration for every victory, home and away. The organization created a large space out of an old groundskeeping area, bringing in the technology for a good party.

The Cubs' party room has an elaborate collection of fog machines, lights, plus televisions and better sound. More importantly, it's compatible with the beverage showers for the game's heroes.

"They got the right flooring in there, and they have drainage in there, too," Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said. "They told us we can do whatever we want to it.

"We just all live for that moment in there. We have a lot of fun getting everybody soaked. It's a lot of fun."

Jason Heyward came to the Cubs from the straight-laced, businesslike Cardinals organization, finishing his lone season in St. Louis looking on as Chicago celebrated its NLDS victory at Wrigley Field. Now, he's in the home clubhouse.

While some might judge the Cubs' ways, Maddon made it clear that it's all in good nature. Heyward has enjoyed the parties with his new team.

"We want to get used to that," he said.

What started as a Rizzo-created ritual has taken a life of its own at Wrigley Field, with the Cubs bringing their postgame parties to new digs.

Despite the dedicated party room with extensive features, the Cubs are still celebrating with the same intentions.

"We're not going to win every game," Heyward said. "But, when we do, we don't take it for granted."

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.