The Chicago Cubs didn’t have a big celebration when they clinched the National League Central five years ago.

COVID-19 protocols prevented them from having a clubhouse blowout, and with all they went through in the pandemic-shortened season, it was more of a relief that the 2020 regular season was over and the playoffs were finally in sight.

“Just a huge exhale to win the division, especially the way it’s been the last couple of years,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said that day.

Little did anyone know that it would be their last postseason appearance for quite a while, or that most of the players — and manager David Ross — would be gone the next time it happened.

While the 2020 season had nothing to do with this year’s Cubs, who were on the verge of clinching a postseason spot with t

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