Jul 1, 2026 · 1h 2m
Cubs teammates relive the road from rebuild to immortality
The Lovable Reunion - Surviving Cubs dark days + 2016 World Series comeback w/ Travis Wood & Mike Borzello | Ross & Rizzo
The reunion connects Chicago’s bleak rebuilding years to the pressure, improvisation, and lasting bonds behind the 2016 championship.
- 1The Cubs’ early losing seasons created the foundation for a clubhouse that eventually won the 2016 World Series.
- 2Mike Borzello’s scouting and catcher armband system show how detailed preparation reshaped game planning.
- 3Down 3-1, the Cubs leaned on a relaxed clubhouse, bullpen advice, and decisive Game 7 execution.
Don't miss
Travis Wood recalls the bullpen atmosphere and advice he gave Jon Lester during the tense final stages of Game 7.
The brief
Anthony Rizzo and David Ross reunite with Travis Wood and Mike Borzello, tracing the Cubs’ path from 100-loss rebuilding seasons to the 2016 World Series.
The conversation shows how Mike Borzello’s blunt coaching, meticulous scouting reports, and an early catcher armband system turned preparation into a competitive edge.
Travis Wood’s unusual versatility anchors the lighter side of the reunion, from his bullpen transition and heavy workload to playing left field and catching a ball in the ivy.
Joe Maddon’s position-shuffling “matrix” kept the Cubs loose while the team discovered it was special, even as the World Series tightened around them.
Down 3-1, the Cubs stayed relaxed enough to force Game 7; the standout story comes from the bullpen, where Wood advised Jon Lester before the final out.
David Ross
Mike Borzello
Anthony Rizzo
Travis WoodMentioned
Chicago Cubs
Theo EpsteinListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.