Anthony Rizzo delivered naked motivational speeches before World Series games

The 2016 Chicago Cubs had arguably the most laid back clubhouse in baseball. With the team's backs against the wall facing a 3–1 World Series deficit, first baseman Anthony Rizzo took it upon himself to pump up the team.

After the team's Game 7 victory, it was revealed that Rizzo sometimes recited famous movie speeches to his teammates. In Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci's upcoming book, The Cubs Way: The Zen of Building the Best Team in Baseball and Breaking the Curse, he shares more insight into the clubhouse atmosphere and Rizzo's antics before Game 5 and 6. The book will be available from Penguin Random House LLC on March 28.

It all worked as the Cubs won the World Series in seven games over the Cleveland Indians.

SI.com published an excerpt from Verducci's book on Tuesday. A special opportunity to buy a signed copy is available here.