Before the Chicago Cubs took off for New York to battle the Mets, Cubs coach Maddon had dinner with this famous Chicago coach.

Cubs skipper Joe Maddon took a night off from preparing for the National League Championship Series vs. the New York Mets, and meet another legendary Chicago coach, Mike Ditka.

Mike Stobe, Getty Images
Mike Stobe, Getty Images
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Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
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Maddon and Ditka met each other for the first time on Thursday night at one of Ditka's restaurants and talked baseball, Pennsylvania roots, and more. Maddon is from Hazleton, and Ditka is from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

According to NBC Chicago, Coach Maddon said "Just two Pennsylvania guys hanging out. He's the kind of guy you feel like you know your whole life. Real easy conversation. Funny. Straightforward."

Maddon never met Ditka before dinner, but he was inspired by Iron Mike to grow his own beard like the one Ditka used to grown when coaching the Bears in hopes of winning it all.

No word on who picked up the check when it arrived. My guess it was Dikta since he was at his restaurant.

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