Let's remember all the wonderfully weird ways Joe Maddon helped the Cubs win the NL Central

It's been a pretty great season to be a Cubs fan. The NL Central is long since secured and the club's first 100-win season since 1935 feels like an inevitability. There were celebrations. There were walk-offs. There was even Munenori Kawasaki doing Munenori Kawasaki things. And, behind all that winning (and all that #winning), there was one man: Joe Maddon, Chicago manager/professional gentleman of leisure/future television megastar.
All year long, Maddon pushed all the right buttons, including some we didn't even know existed. So, in honor of his unique brand of genius, we've arranged a look back at the many ways he put the Cubs in a position to succeed this season.
He prepared his team for the long season ahead
Spring Training offers an invaluable opportunity to hone skills after a few months off. But Maddon also recognizes that preparing his players' minds is just as crucial. That's why, when the Cubs reported to Arizona last March fresh off an NLCS appearance, he made sure to keep things light. After all, what's the pressure of championship expectations in the face of actual live bear cubs:

#Cubs Rizzo and his new friends pic.twitter.com/MGLQFaBO0T

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) March 25, 2016

Still, Maddon knows how to light a fire when he needs to -- like when he hired an actual guitarist to shred during warmups.

And, when it's time to take the field and get in shape for the season ahead, he remembers to think outside of the box. Specifically, the box that has trapped this mime that Maddon invited to camp:

He knows that a team that looks good, plays good
On the field and in the clubhouse, Maddon's all about instilling confidence -- baseball is a game of instinct and reaction, and there's no room for doubt. Naturally, that starts in one place: the wardrobe. So, prior to the season, the skipper took it upon himself to establish an official dress code. The only rule? "If you think you look hot, wear it."
To facilitate said hotness, the Cubs turned each road trip into a fashion show. There was the "minimalist zany suit" road trip, which, well:

And who could forget the "Miami Vice" look:

One more. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/fu9K8Iza7z

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) June 22, 2016

Of course, no one could match Maddon, who officially established himself as the only man alive capable of rocking short shorts:

Here's #Cubs Maddon pic.twitter.com/8kOcYdA18B

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) March 22, 2015

He's a brilliant tactician
"Let's put three different pitchers in left field during one game" is not what most people would consider sound baseball strategy. Joe Maddon is not most people.
The Cubs found themselves in a tight game against the Reds back in June, which went all the way to the 14th inning tied at 2. In order to ensure he didn't run out of relievers, Maddon had an idea: He used lefty Travis Wood and righty Spencer Patton as a pitching/left-field platoon, because it's important to let your players know that you believe in them. Patton retired Brandon Phillips, then headed to the outfield as Wood got Jay Bruce, then came back to the mound to finish the inning against Adam Duvall.

All of which was mere prelude to the Cubs' win over the Mariners back in August, in which Wood again appeared in left field ... and saved the day:

Naturally, the game was won on a suicide squeeze -- by Jon Lester, with two strikes:

We all knew this Sunday night would end with a 2-strike #walkoff bunt by @JLester34. https://t.co/zHgFW0ed1L pic.twitter.com/ASPO4xMvaC

— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2016

The man is playing chess, while we're all just playing checkers.