Earlier this week, Cubs manager Joe Maddon brought a mime to spring training to keep his club loose and make sure they're having fun. Baseball is a kid's game, of course.
Maddon is no stranger to having fun in camp, and on Friday he may have brought in his most appropriate spring guest yet. He had actual cubs in camp. Literal bear cubs. Check it out (photo via Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune on Twitter):
Adorable. Anthony Rizzo and the cubs.
The two bear cubs are about three and a half months old. Friday was their first time on grass and they spent the day flopping around and playing with each other and Cubs players.
Here's some video of the cubs in action:
#Cubs and baby bears pic.twitter.com/OUgo5dnXwD
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) March 25, 2016
Props to Rizzo for staying calm and collected as the cub crawled between his legs. That's, uh, unnerving.
Now for some team photos:
First time on grass for them pic.twitter.com/O4Zs87HlWd
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 25, 2016
Ross: "Rizzo isn't going to give him up" pic.twitter.com/iO17wgSiBC
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 25, 2016
Let the record show: bear cubs > mimes.