Feb. 29--Manager Joe Maddon knows he will have fewer chances to share a good laugh with his Chicago Cubs team with the exhibition season starting Thursday.
But one day after reliever Justin Grimm danced in front of his teammates, Maddon pulled off another stunt with the help of several members of the organization.
As the players lined up to start their workout, they were greeted by a 1970s van that drove onto the agility field.
The driver of the van was its owner -- Maddon -- dressed in a tie-dye t-shirt and a headband.
"When I saw that van coming around, I didn't know what to think at first," Grimm said. "But they just started rolling people out."
Accompanying Maddon was bench coach Dave Martinez, dressed in an outfit reminiscent of the '70s comedy group Cheech and Chong.
Infielder Munenori Kawasaki and catcher Taylor Davis and traveling secretary Vijay Tekchandani -- all dressed in various outfits -- participated to the music of Earth, Wind and Fire's "Shining Star."
"We had to take advantage of the vehicle in some form," said Maddon,who calls his van 'Cal State Fullerton' because he believes it represents an Orange County 1970s theme with orange and brown colors and a desert print on both sides.
"Whatever it takes to bring the group together, we'll do it. Their work was spectacular."
