MESA, Ariz. – About 30 miles from White Sox camp on Friday morning, the Cubs stood in a half-circle wearing party hats as Munenori Kawasaki gripped the microphone and sang “Happy Birthday” to David Ross and Dexter Fowler.
And then two pink crates stacked as a birthday cake rolled out in front of the weight room at the Sloan Park complex. Strength and conditioning coach Tim Buss popped out wearing a one-piece bathing suit, a cowboy hat and high heels.
Showing the kind of firm leadership that’s made him a three-time Manager of the Year, Joe Maddon had made the executive decision that Buss should wear a one-piece bathing suit — and not a bikini — because that would be funnier.