An apology to Ricketts is in order
by tharr on Jul 11, 2010 1:13 PM CDT
Email
PrintWhen Zambrano recently went off the reservation and was subsequently suspended, Tom Ricketts was with his family in Africa. Many Cub fans were very critical of his trip and were incensed that he wasn't available locally to issue a statement about the events.
Now that Tom has returned, he's been available for interview as he travels to all the minor league teams in the system to meet with the managers, coaches and players. One of those interviews was with Barry Rozner of the Daily Herald.
For those that felt Ricketts failed them and the team, I'd strongly recommend they read the article and see if their opinion has changed. For everyone else, I also recommend the article. It speaks well of the character of Tom and his family. And while we all can have our opinion of the family's role as owner of the Cubs, it seems their character is admirable.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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It never bothered me that
he was in Africa and after reading the article I admire the Ricketts even more.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
Yeah and from looking at this poll so far,
I think it’s fair to say the ones opposing it were a vocal minority. Course it’s only 22 votes so far.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 11, 2010 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting the link to that Rozner article.
I hadn’t seen it, and I’m relieved that Ricketts addressed that situation.
I was never really opposed to their Africa trip; I just wish they’d made some sort of statement about the Zambrano incident at the time – just to reassure Cubs fans that they were paying attention.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Paradox
Cubs fans that need reassuring about something as dumb as that, don’t deserve one.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Jul 11, 2010 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Deserving's got nothin' to do with it.
I’m just saying it would have been nice – a good PR move. I think the honeymoon phase of the Ricketts’ ownership is now over and Cubs fans as a whole are starting to get a little edgy about exactly how they’re going to run the team. Big Z’s meltdown was a good opportunity for the Ricketts – at this early stage in their history as the team’s owners – to make it clear that they’re paying as close attention as they claim to be.
In any case, it’s all water under the bridge now. I will, however, be curious to see whether they handle future incidents (should any occur) differently.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
I never thought that
Ricketts was out of touch with the Cubs organization while in Africa. Just as I suspected this trip was planned long in advance.
IMO there was way too much angst about this from the fans. As was said in the article, this would have been a moot point if the Cubs were winning and in contention for the division. If they were, the fans wouldn’t have given a crap where in the world Ricketts was.
Fair enough.
I did not know about the other purposes of this trip at the time, and it’s clear that this must have been planned long in advance.
So — I agree with daver above; a simple statement would have sufficed about the Z incident, along the lines of “I was sorry to hear about the incident at US Cellular Field on Friday. I support Jim Hendry’s actions as general manager.”
Otherwise, yes, it was obviously much ado about nothing and I think people misrepresent my position as having made a huge big deal about this.
Let’s move on.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You're right, multiple comments do not equal "huge big deal"
And you didn’t introduce the topic to this board. But when you’ve posted enough on the same subject that you feel the need to write “I’m never going to convince you guys” it may be a sign that you’ve spent too much time on one issue.
Somebody take Aramis' bat off the restricted list, please.
I never understood the angst
that some people had about them going to Africa…if we chose the Rickets or elected them somehow then I could see the angst, however, this is their team, their business, and their lives…we are only but spectators on this great ride.
Sipping the Kool-Aid since 1982 - Kinda
Currently 34,839 on the Season Ticket Wait List - Expected age of being #0: 119
My God, are we still on this?
I think I’d rather see the Cubs move to Africa and be the Kenya Cubs than think about this asinine issue again.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
To Make Everyone Happy
The Cubs should move their Spring Training site to Africa.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on Jul 11, 2010 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions
They would still want Tom to twitter them personally every day during the season to show he cares.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 11, 2010 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Make me happy: ST in Naples, Italy
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
He's the owner, not the GM.
I find this whole thing ridiculous. Were he Mark Cuban and had said something, the same people complaining about a lack of statement would be bitching about him “interfering”.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 11, 2010 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Five years from now...
…I might agree with you. But, at the time of Z’s blowup, a simple statement on the matter would have been a good way to enhance their image with a fanbase that’s still getting a feel for how they’re going to handle the team.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Jul 12, 2010 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
well said
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 12, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Come on, where's someone who was pissy about the trip?
This is no fun. Speak up if you think a company’s owner can’t take a planned vacation in the 21st century.
Personally, I think that piece was soft. The entire Ricketts needs to be tagged with GPS devices and tracked at all times from a command center. We’ll take shifts.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jul 11, 2010 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
The family had this trip scheduled for 2 years, 21 family members went on this.
Do you people think he should have taken all the kids out of school for this? Has no one ever heard of the internet and email, or cellphones? Geez, some people think THEY own the team and the others should accomodate them. Silly.
The family is very tight knit and the Cubs aren’t the only thing they have in their lives, unlike many on this board.
this topic is stupid
and i agree with you 100%. so a rich guy/family who happens to own a business/ball team took a vacation and trusted that those who are in position to run the company/team would be able to do so. People here over react to almost anything
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
The trip was never really the issue.
The Ricketts’ silence as the team appeared to be devolving into total chaos was the issue.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
He's paying Hendry
to take care of this and Hendry did. What more would you have wanted him to say or do that Jim didn’t? I really don’t undedrstand the need on here by some for the owner to speak on this. Would you have expected the Trib to say something if they were still the owner?
Ricketts was in touch with the organization every day and knew what was going on. I just don’t see the need for him personally to comment to the fans on the this issue. I think because he’s made himself available to the fans and has asked for some input from fans some fans feel like he owes it to them to let them know what is going on with the club.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
by sue369 on Jul 12, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The point is...
… everyone (supposedly) wanted an individual as owner, someone who wouldn’t be a faceless corporate suit, and in this case we got a Cubs fan who is — whether he wants to or not — the face of the franchise.
How hard would it have been to issue a two-sentence statement like this:
“I heard about the unfortunate incident at US Cellular Field on Friday. I support Jim Hendry in the actions he has taken.”
That’s it. Really — could have been sent by text message and released as a statement. That’s all I would have wanted.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I just don't see the need for him to do so.
I guess we disagree.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
by sue369 on Jul 12, 2010 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
you cant disagree
you must fight, call names, and ban each other, with Al warning you both…
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
If you answer yourself that's when I get worried.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 13, 2010 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions
and if you fight with yourself
a temp ban, then you have to convince yourself that you will behave, then you can allow yourself to return
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
i wanted the Trib gone since
they were more worried about the shareholders and the red/black of the Tribune Corp, which had an affect on the Cubs over the years IMHO.
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
What Al said.
We don’t want faceless corporate ownership a la the Tribune. We want a real, warm-blooded human being owning the team. And the Z incident was a good opportunity for the Ricketts to reinforce that. And I’m not saying this was some irrevocable ownership failure. Just that it would’ve been nice.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Jul 12, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well now you know not to expect that
Now you know that the Ricketts are not going to respond to every Gatorade cooler tantrum and he’s going to let his staff do their jobs.
Personally, I’m glad that Tom Ricketts did not respond from Africa. I’m also glad that my friend ran into Tom at the Road to Wrigley game. And I’m glad to hear that he stayed at the season ticket holder event until at least 6:15 (when another friend called me from Wrigley).
I don’t need to be repeatedly assured that Tom Ricketts is a warm-blooded team owner. I think there has been enough proof of that – handing out hot coco at individual ticket sales, glad-handing at Opening Day, strolling through the bleachers, etc.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jul 12, 2010 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I understand, accept and appreciate all of that.
And I won’t make a big deal about this in the future.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Who cares if he went ot Africa?
My question is what he does with this team!
How long does he let things fester?
How long do certain people keep their jobs
Will salary be a major stumbling block to getting rid of some dead weight on the roster?
These things are much more important to me than his stupid trip. In these days there are multiple ways to comunicate around the world. If he wanted to do something about JH or Lou a month ago, he could have. Right from his hotel room or hut or whatever he was staying in.
I agree
other than the stuff about his foundation (which is great) the Cubs related comments were incredibly boiler plate.
by HuskerCorner on Jul 11, 2010 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know why his travels or non-availability to the media
Should even be an issue.
Why do we need a statement from of the owner of the team that concerns baseball management? He owns the team… he doesn’t manage it on the field.
Fans never expected statements from the Tribune on these type of issues, when they owned the team.
Do we need a statement from Virginia McCaskey every time a Bears player gets in trouble?
Let owners be owners, and managers be managers.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
by SackMan on Jul 11, 2010 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
people seem to believe Ricketts needs to be like Reinsdorf and always in the press
Unofficial Self Appointed President of the Player Formerly Known as Castro Blocker Fan Club
Bleed Castro Blue
Yes, but here's the difference.
Tom Ricketts is a professed Cubs fan and, whether he likes it or not, he is the face of the franchise (from a non-player standpoint). Many here — including some who think this was no big deal at all — keep saying “Ricketts should do this” or “Ricketts should fire this guy”.
Making a brief statement supporting his baseball management wouldn’t have been a bad idea.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You mean Virginia McCaskey is not a Bears fan?
Actually, that would explain a lot!
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jul 12, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Exactly SackMan
It’s hand-wringing like this that makes it embarrassing to be a Cubs fan some times. How smothering and intense do we have to be?
Give it a rest already. There are people in place to handle the day to day. If Ricketts starts micro-managing, I can already see the lengthy posts on this website criticising that as well.
Yes, we can debate whether or not this situation qualifies as “micro” but come on, he said he’s not going to activily run the team and he’s following through.
Making a two-sentence statement of support for his GM doesn't qualify as "micro-managing".
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If it's "only" a two-sentence statement, Al,
then what’s the big deal if he doesn’t make one at all?
Of all the tempests in teapots there have been this season, this is among the worst.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 12, 2010 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because it shows he's the owner and he cares.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So what?
Again, I don’t get why we have to hear missives from the owner. Are Cubs fans this emotionally needy, that they have to hear reassurances/declarations from the owner?
Handling this situation was Hendry’s job.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 12, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yes, it was.
Look at it another way: if you don’t have an owner who cares enough to make a two-sentence statement, why not go back to corporate ownership?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Overreacting?
Asking for a two-sentence statement is overreacting? Hardly.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Agreed.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 12, 2010 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure any owner
would respond the way you’re suggesting, Al. Maybe. But I’m betting most won’t.
They hire people who are supposed to fulfill that function.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 12, 2010 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly!
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
Amen.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 12, 2010 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree...
…I also believe if Ricketts released a statement, it would have sent a message of almost panic (because the owner has to chime in). The GM should have and did handle this and that is his job.
Now, at the end of the season, that is the time for Ricketts to make his presense felt.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Jul 12, 2010 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm guessing that if a White Sox player did this...
… after Kenny Williams did whatever he had to do, Jerry Reinsdorf would issue a brief statement backing up his GM. That’s all. Hardly a big deal, nor am I making one out of this.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He may...
…but I also think Ricketts has a different style than you will see from Reinsdorf. Jerry likes the attention and to show everyone he is involved and I don’t believe you are going to get that as much from Ricketts.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
You may be right about that.
At the same time, he professes to be a big Cubs fan. Look at all the bytes spilled here about this event by us, other big Cubs fans. A couple of quick sentences from him wouldn’t have been a lot to ask.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's the very opposite of this...
He may…but I also think Ricketts has a different style than you will see from Reinsdorf. Jerry likes the attention and to show everyone he is involved and I don’t believe you are going to get that as much from Ricketts.
How often do you hear or read Reinsdorf interviewed? Seldom.
Quite the opposite from your comment, from what I’ve observed IMHO Reinsdorf seems to shun the much of the attention and is rarely out front. IIRC even when the Jerry’s bought the Sox it was Einhorn who was more the public persona. In the last 10-15 years Einhorn has stepped back but it’s still not that Reinsdorf is out seeking or trying to “show everyone he is involved…” as you said.
And from what I’ve observed, so far at least Ricketts has very much been at the center of attention with the Cubs.
"Don’t belittle entire fanbases or neighborhoods…simply because they are within proximity to some people who don’t operate (or look) the same way you do." - AndrewJStone 6/29/2010
Oops
“the Jerry’s” should be Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einshorn. No Jerrys.
"Don’t belittle entire fanbases or neighborhoods…simply because they are within proximity to some people who don’t operate (or look) the same way you do." - AndrewJStone 6/29/2010
I doubt it
Jerry Reinsdorf only recently stepped in to put the Ozzie-Kenny feud to rest. But when Kenny had a feud with Frank Thomas, not a word from Reinsdorf.
Good owners know how to delegate and not step on their employees’ authority.
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jul 12, 2010 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
How is it "stepping on authority"...
… to issue a statement in SUPPORT of your general manager?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Look at it this way
Let’s say your kid has an issue with someone at school. He resolves it on his own. The next day, you see the kid or a parent somewhere around town – do you vocalize your support for what your kid did on your own volition, or do you just let him handle it?
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 12, 2010 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Perhaps not a perfect analogy, but why not comparable?
by Shanghai Badger on Jul 12, 2010 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Because the parent of the kid isn't a public figure.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Not issuing the statement is the support
Like Shanghai said, even a statement of support can undercut authority. It can say “Well, let’s see what the owner says.” But that’s really a matter of organizational philosophy.
I think the problem with a statement from Ricketts is that it would have added more fuel to the issue. It’s just one more thing for the media to dissect and discuss.
Plus, I don’t Ricketts wanted to be seen as jumping into a situation like this. Why? Where’s the upside of a statement?
"They come to see me strike out, hit a home run, or run into a fence. I try to accommodate them at least one way every game." - Gorman Thomas
by RiskyBusiness on Jul 12, 2010 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't see any reason why he should make any statement.
Jim is being paid to handle these situtations and he did handle it.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
by sue369 on Jul 12, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
We can debate micro-managing...
…its really not the point. Typically you assume the CEO supports his/her managers’ actions unless otherwise stated and even then, that should be handled behind the scenes. There would be no point in announcing agreeement/support all the time.
I struggle to understand what value a two-sentence statement would have added. Who needed Ricketts support of Hendry clarified?
Many of us want the Ricketts to be different from the Tribune.
That’s why their silence during the Z incident became an issue.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Jul 12, 2010 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ricketts says Hendry has his full support in todays trib......
I know he has to say this, but it pretty much says it all.
Right now, he is Phil Wrigley.
An African sojourn
… in the middle of the season was such a PKW move. I remain incensed that he thought the season was insignificant enough to basically take a month off.
The McCaskeys, the Rooneys, the Steinbrenners, Cuban – they watch the games. Offseasons were made for vacations.
by bourbon_and_branch on Jul 12, 2010 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
NO
An owner should be doing most of his work IN the off-season — meeting with free agents; executives; sponsors; season-ticket holders; city officials; etc.
There is literally nothing an owner can do during the season — other than approve trades — that helps the team.
The Cubs did not suffer one loss because Ricketts was gone. They would not have gained one win if he was here.
This entire argument is an embarrassment to all that is good and pure in the world. The Baby Jesus is crying right now because of this argument.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
by Worf on Jul 12, 2010 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ricketts could have taken care of the whole group long ago......Like when the manager gave up 2 months ago.
He has all kinds of power.
That you do not see this is what is embarressing…..and making everyone cry!
Careful.
You’re deviating from your theme.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
The Cubs are going all the way this year Dave!!!!!!!!
Ricketts has given his full support to JH and Lou! That’s all he needs to do because all his work is done in the offseason anyways!
I see a 25 game winning streak to start the 2nd half!!!!!!!!!
We will win the division by 9 games! Take it to the bank!!!!
When the team is going well the owner hopefully is never needed....But when it is not, the owner needs to step up and do whats needed for the team.
Not wait for the offseason, when his job is supposedly most busy.
I guess he should just sit back and enjoy his bad team and laugh at the fans while continue to pour money into his pockets in the meantime.
If that’s the case he is Phil Wrigley and and has Worf’s total support!
Reinsdorf got what he wanted...
…a conservative, “stay the course” type of guy on the other side of town (as opposed to a Mark Cuban type who wouldn’t have tolerated failure and mediocrity).
Welcome to the second coming of P.K. Wrigley.
by bluekoolaide on Jul 12, 2010 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I hate to rip on you specifically, because it seems this thought process is all too common of a theme...
But really? There is not one single person in the business world who would buy a company and completely gut it without first taking a full review of each and every employee, from the GM down to the interns. This is not a light process, it is not something that is done in a month, or in a quarter – it takes a lot of manpower and a lot of paperwork. Ricketts can not, and should not be expected to walk in and make wholesale changes like so many here are asking – it’s a recipe for disaster!
by bdlugz on Jul 12, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
In the business world, many times when a new owner is brought in it does not take long for the top dogs to be let go if they had let things go in the toilet and it was not getting any better.
Example-MSNBC has low ratings and is about to be bought by Clear Channel.
Do you not think they know what they are buying and will make appropriate changes to turn the network around? Or will they wait a year and continue the slide?
I would expect them to take time in reviewing where the issues come from.
If they are able to do that while in the discussion of a buyout, they will do so, which would cut down on the time spent in this awkward ground.
Also – quite a bit of a difference between a publicly traded company and a privately held company. Having recently been in the middle of a buyout of two privately owned companies, I can tell you that our process was by no means quick, and we reviewed every aspect of the company we bought.
Not only that, but
perhaps the owners don’t think things are as dire as some of the fans do. Nor maybe do they think the current decision-makers are incompetent.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 12, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Rickett's feeling on the latter...
…will likely shape how the team does over the next 5+ years.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Actually one of the owners
was here all that time. Laura didn’t go on the trip.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
People need to apologize to a baseball owner for saying things he most likely never read...
by posting the apology he will most likely also never read.
You’re smurt.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 11, 2010 11:17 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
And buried among the mea culpas...
is the happy news that Jim Hendry isn’t going anywhere. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Out of all the things to worry about with this team
This is brought up? unbelievable.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 12, 2010 6:44 PM CDT reply actions
It's not unbelievable.
The Cubs have a long history of absentee landlords, stretching back to Phillip K. Wrigley in the 1930s. That may not be a perfect metaphor in his case – P.K. did tinker with the team in a variety of odd ways – but he was also often greatly detached from it from a competitive perspective. And, after him, we had a third Wrigley, William Jr., who very few Cubs fans even remember, then the faceless Tribune and the cartoonish Sam Zell.
Every day the Ricketts own this team they’re writing history – and some of us are interested in reading and evaluating that history as it unfolds. The subtle ways ownership does and doesn’t insert itself into the team’s actions on the field (or, in this case, in the dugout) are important and worthy of discussion.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Jul 13, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
100% correct.
Tom Ricketts may not have wanted to be the face of the franchise — but he is. And that’s what many here wanted, a fan owner who would be passionate about winning, not faceless corporate suits.
We have one now. And that means he’s going to be asked about things regarding the team on the field, whether he’s prepared for that role or not.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
100% correct huh.
According to you that is. I don’t need the owner writing history everyday during the season…I could care less about his vacations, PR statements or whether he has his toenails clipped or not. Actions are what matters. Steinbrenner did not assemble winning teams by ranting and raving in the media about what it takes to win. He won championships by having more money than God, hiring those who would sign the best players money could buy, and firing those who didn’t perform the way he wanted them to. I like my owner being a good guy and making nice statements about caring, being charitable, but at the end of the day all those things are meaningless to bringing a WS.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 13, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
There have also been owners
who showed up to pick up the World Series trophy and 99 percent of the sports fans said, “Who is that?”
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Of course I want a winner.
But we have an owner who is a professed Cubs fan and presumably passionate about winning. Thus, I’d expect him to have a higher public profile than someone who isn’t.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I could have stated that
opening better. I don’t really care about his public persona. And I don’t think that everyone thinks that the owner being a self professed Cubs fan means he needs to issue PR statements while on vacation to be doing his job well. I know very well you want a winner like everyone, we just differ that a PR statement about this would mean something.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 13, 2010 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
That's not what I meant.
I’m not advocating that Tom Ricketts try to write history every day by doing or saying anything. I’m simply saying that every day he and his siblings own the team is a day in the history of their family’s ownership of the team. And some of us are paying very close attention to that history and are interested in discussing certain aspects of it. Whether you agree with it or not, the Ricketts silence immediately following the Z incident was a widely discussed issue and clearly important enough for Tom Ricketts himself to comment on.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
by daver on Jul 13, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't understand this.
You say Ricketts is writing history everyday, but he doesn’t need to do something everyday, but some of us are paying very close attention to that history. Whatever that all means, I’m concerned about the actions he takes and not some PR statements that make the fans feel better. If he states policy, talks about actions being taken sure I’d read that.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 13, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
You and certain others on this thread...
…seem intent on driving the home the point that this topic isn’t worth discussing. Clearly it is. That’s all I’m saying.
Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!
Fair enough.
We’ll have to agree to disagree about this…it’s not clearly worth discussing to me.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 13, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
This isn't too dissimilar to the people who get all over Lou
because he allegedly shows no “fire” or passion or whatever.
I really think fans need to chill a bit if their heroes don’t outwardly show the same level of enthusiasm they seem to have. That means nothing.
Remember, folks, it’s their jobs. How much fire and desire do you display every day at your job?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 13, 2010 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't need Lou to show fire and passion.
Being awake would be a good start.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think everyone can agree about that.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves." - Da Coach
by Sandberg's evil twin on Jul 13, 2010 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't
I think a lot of people project their ennui about this team on Lou.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jul 13, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually this thread is more like the DLee doesn't care thread
almost criminally goofy
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 14, 2010 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions
By many Cubs Fans does that refer to some
that post on this site?
But if he was busy in Las Vegas it wouldn’t have bothered me. In any event, everything happens for a reason and Zambrano is finally getting that long ignored professional help that only a carefully selected team of scientists can provide. But if Zambrano went on a similar trip to Africa right now, it would do far more good for him and the world than any help he might receive from his team of specialists.
Team Selected Physician: " Well, to borrow from Axl Rose, Zambrano is just another asshole millionaire."
MLB Union Physician: “Hey! That’s multi-millionaire—get it right! And the owners are all assholes, too!”
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