The Chicago Cubs may have experienced the turning point of their dreadful season on Saturday, and it came in the form of a furious dugout conniption from their starting pitcher.
Chicago led the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0 entering the bottom of the third, but a series of defensive mishaps from the Cubs led to Milwaukee tying the game before Cubs starter Justin Steele got out of the inning.
The unfortunate defensive display appeared to be business as usual for the struggling Cubs until suddenly it wasn't.
As Steele made his way off the mound and entered Chicago's dugout, he exploded into an angry, screaming fit, pounding his fists against his body and motioning violently in the direction of his teammates.
Steele's outburst drew the immediate attention of Marquee Sports Network's coverage of the game (Cubs' broadcast), with play-by-play broadcaster Jon Sciambi and color commentator Jim Deshaies describing Steele as "fired up" and "angry".
Steele's dugout explosion was universally embraced by Cubs fans, who have watched Chicago sleepwalk to a 38-45 record entering Saturday (last place in the National League Central).
Steele's fiery moment may have also galvanized his teammates, as the Cubs ended up defeating Milwaukee 5-3 thanks in large part to a two-run blast in the eighth inning from Ian Happ.
Steele addressed his dugout eruption with reporters following the victory.
"I love every single person in that locker room," Steele said. "I know how good we can be. I know what it takes ... (the outburst) definitely comes from a good place. It comes from a place of love and passion ... I want to win baseball games, and that's what I show up every day to do."
Steele delivered another solid start for Chicago on Saturday, allowing seven hits, zero walks, and three earned runs across six innings.
When the Cubs look back on this win, however, they'll probably remember Steele's passionate outbreak more than any pitch he threw.
