Craig Counsell’s Message to Chicago Cubs After Clinching Playoff Spot

The Chicago Cubs have officially punched their ticket to the postseason. The celebration was as much about the journey as it was about the destination. In a clubhouse filled with smiles, cheers, and champagne, the team paused to reflect on the road that brought them here. This season’s been all about resilience, unity, and pushing through adversity. From emotional speeches to reminders of what’s still ahead, this playoff berth feels like both an achievement and a challenge for the North Siders. A Speech to Remember: Ian Happ Sets the Tone Ian Happ, the Cubs’ longest-tenured player, stood before his teammates and delivered a heartfelt address. His words really struck a chord, reminding everyone just how much this moment means to the organization and the fans. Happ’s seen the highs and lows of Cubs baseball. His message came from a place of gratitude, pride, and an unwavering belief in the roster’s potential. The Emotional Impact of Veteran Leadership For a team blending young talent with proven veterans, Happ’s message grounded everyone. His leadership off the field has mattered just as much as his production in the box score. Craig Counsell’s Message: Resilience Defines This Team Manager Craig Counsell didn’t waste time pointing out the resilience fueling this playoff push. He referenced the Cubs’ unique season opener in Japan—a trip that started with a sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Those early results stung, but the experience built camaraderie that would carry the team through the months ahead. Leaders on the Field and in the Locker Room Counsell singled out Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Happ as players who show up every day and put the team first. Their daily perseverance and unselfishness became this Cubs squad’s calling card. The Adversity That Tested Their Resolve The Cubs’ path to October hasn’t been smooth. Losing ace Justin Steele for the entire season could have derailed everything. Standout starter Shota Imanaga missed nearly two months with an injury. These setbacks forced the pitching staff to adapt and rely on their depth. They embraced the test instead of running from it. Bond Forged Through Challenges Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy echoed Counsell’s point about the bond that formed during those early struggles. The Cubs learned to lean on each other during the tough stretches, building the mental toughness that’s gotten them this far. Celebrating the Moment, Chasing the Goal While the champagne flowed, Counsell reminded everyone: making the playoffs isn’t the finish line. He talked about the significance of hosting playoff games at Wrigley Field—a milestone that would give the team and fans an unforgettable home-field advantage in October. The Cubs currently hold a five-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the top National League Wild Card position. Setting Up for Wrigley’s Postseason Magic That lead puts Chicago in position to open a best-of-three Wild Card series at Wrigley Field starting September 30. The chance to step onto their historic home turf with the season on the line? That’s a vision fueling their competitive fire right now. Key Takeaways from the Cubs’ Playoff Push This year’s Cubs team has proved that success comes from more than raw talent. They’ve leaned on leadership, grit, and a belief in something bigger. Emotional leadership from veterans like Ian Happ. Managerial vision from Craig Counsell, who keeps resilience and teamwork front and center. Adversity overcome even after losing key starting pitchers. A united clubhouse shaped during their tough opening stretch in Japan. Focused ambition on locking down home playoff games at Wrigley Field. The Cubs aren’t just happy to be in the postseason. They’re looking ahead, hungry for something bigger, and honestly, who could blame them? — If you’d like, I can also create a **click-worthy meta description** for this blog post so it’s fully optimized for search engines. Would you like me to do that?   Here is the source article for this story: What Craig Counsell told Cubs after MLB playoffs spot clinched