MESA, Ariz. - Shane Victorino just got to Cubs camp Friday morning, but he's already pulling in the same direction as the rest of the organization.
Joe Maddon, Theo Epstein and the rest of the Cubs have all portrayed a unified message since arriving in spring training - World Series or bust in 2016.
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That's no problem for Victorino who, at age 35, is placing a premium on winning over money or his role.
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something hopefully that's going to be special," he said. "I've been blessed in my career to be a part of a couple special championships in special cities.
"Being a fan of the game, when there's a 100-plus year championship drought, you always want to be the first. That's the goal.
"At the end of the day, it's not about playing time. It's not about where things are. It's about winning. For me, I gotta win my job on the team and from there, whatever role I am, I gotta be the best player I can be to help the Cubs win the championship."
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Victorino has played 60 postseason games in his career, making it to three World Series. He won it all with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008 (beating Joe Maddon's Tampa Bay Rays team) and with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 (alongside current Cubs Jon Lester, John Lackey and David Ross).
Victorino said he's always respected Maddon from afar, admiring the way the manager has gotten the most out of his teams.
He's excited to get the band back together with Lester, Lackey and Ross and Victorino also trains in the offseason with Kris Bryant in Las Vegas.
This year, Dexter Fowler - who just signed with the Cubs Thursday - joined Bryant and Victorino taking some swings in Vegas.
Victorino has been talking to the Cubs for a while before agreeing on the minor-league deal with the invite to big-league camp this spring. The Cubs currently have four outfielders - Fowler, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward - in place, so Victorino wouldn't figure to get a ton of playing time if he were to make the team.
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Victorino said he doesn't want to start the season in the minor leagues - "I don't know if I'm at that point in my career" - but admitted he's not sure how things are going to play out in the next five weeks.
Victorino has plenty of connections to the Cubs beyond the guys in the clubhouse, too. Back in 2009, he was part of that infamous moment when a Cubs fan dumped a beer of his head in the bleachers while Victorino was trying to catch a fly ball.
"I understand the passion of Cubs fans," Victorino said. "My brother was childhood Cubs fan; [Ryne] Sandberg was one of his favorite players. Andre Dawson, guys like that.
"I've seen the Cubs logo since I was a child. To be able to put it on now, even if the situation is the way it is, I'm very excited for the opportunity in spring training."