The Plan: Epstein, Maddon, and the Audacious Blueprint for a Cubs Dynasty

On October 12, 2011, Theo Epstein became the new Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations, flipping a switch on the lovable-loser franchise and initiating a plan to accomplish in Chicago what he'd succeeded in as general manager of the Boston Red Sox: ending a World Series drought. It would require a complete team tear-down and turnover, a new farm system foundation of young talent which Epstein and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer gradually added to with gutsy trades and timely signings. After years of rebuilding, Epstein's crystalline vision has been unquestionably realized in the form of one of the most exciting and talented teams in baseball, led by heavyweights like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant as well as visionaries like manager Joe Maddon. In The Plan, David Kaplan of CSN Chicago and ESPN Radio goes behind the scenes with the Cubs and their front office, walking the steps of their captivating rise to becoming 2016 World Series champions. Featuring exclusive interviews with Epstein, owner Tom Ricketts, and other team insiders, this is the definitive account of a new era on the North Side.

• The Cubs Way: The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball and Breaking the Curse
• Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages
• Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages
• The Cubs Way: The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball and Breaking the Curse
• The Chicago Cubs: Story of a Curse
• Let's Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub, the Life of Ernie Banks
• If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Cubs: Stories from the Chicago Cubs Dugout, Locker Room, and Press Box
• Fly the W: The Chicago Cubs' Historic 2016 Championship Season (Cubs World)
• Smart Baseball: The Story Behind the Old Stats That Are Ruining the Game, the New Ones That Are Running It, and the Right Way to Think About Baseball
• Theology: How a Boy Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land