Ricketts press conference: 11:00 AM CDT, October 30, 2009

[jstraw]

Does anyone think that a business owned by four siblings is LESS complicated to run than one ruled by a corporate CEO?

[Butcher]

"There is no curse. Any player who thinks this team is cursed can be moved to a less 'accursed' team."

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=67622:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Does anyone think that a business owned by four siblings is LESS complicated to run than one ruled by a corporate CEO?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
As long as Tom is the main go-to guy, and he delegates to real baseball people, I don't think it is a problem.

[Butcher]

Well, I'm glad that they're all real fans. At least there's that. Other than that, nothing they said filled me with a whole lot of hope for anything different in the next few years.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=67624:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:35 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Oct 30 2009, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=67622:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Does anyone think that a business owned by four siblings is LESS complicated to run than one ruled by a corporate CEO?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
As long as Tom is the main go-to guy, and he delegates to real baseball people, I don't think it is a problem.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I just hope they're a family that gets along well. I'd have been happier if Tom had handled the presser alone.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=67626:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:37 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 30 2009, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=67624:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:35 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Oct 30 2009, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=67622:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Does anyone think that a business owned by four siblings is LESS complicated to run than one ruled by a corporate CEO?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
As long as Tom is the main go-to guy, and he delegates to real baseball people, I don't think it is a problem.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I just hope they're a family that gets along well. I'd have been happier if Tom had handled the presser alone.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why (to the second statement, not the first)?

[ColoradoCub]

<!--quoteo(post=67625:date=Oct 30 2009, 10:37 AM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Oct 30 2009, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Well, I'm glad that they're all real fans. At least there's that. Other than that, nothing they said filled me with a whole lot of hope for anything different in the next few years.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I sort of wish the reporters would have pressed them about whether they intend to change the direction of the team, or just to kind of stay the course.

[jstraw]

Between the lines:

He's not interested in buying a championship in the FA market.

Mesa better make the Cubs sweet offers.

Hendry isn't going anywhere for now but I expect he will be under a layer of management that represents someone that could step into his job.

Wrigley is going to get a major makeover.

Nothing was said that increases the likelihood of Bradley leaving. He didn't jump on the 'hypothetical' to say, yeah, we'd eat some salary to improve the team.

[1060Ivy]

<!--quoteo(post=67622:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 30 2009, 11:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Does anyone think that a business owned by four siblings is LESS complicated to run than one ruled by a corporate CEO?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Depends on the aspect?

It is probably easier to run a baseball operation rather than a media company which owns a baseball operation.

In addition, some other question: Are the 4 siblings "under control" or are they 4 individuals who don't give a crap about the organization or each other? Are all siblings equal owners are are they very minor owners?

[jstraw]

Is the Chicago media just too respectful to ask if Tom expects Hendry to work out the remainder of his contract, with Hendry in the room? That you might get a bullshit answer is not a reason to avoid the question.

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=67623:date=Oct 30 2009, 11:35 AM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Oct 30 2009, 11:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->"There is no curse. Any player who thinks this team is cursed can be moved to a less 'accursed' team."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I love that attitude. I'm hoping they keep pushing that line as well as furthering themselves from the lovable loser tag.

[Coach]

Here is an interview with Ricketts by Darren Rovell of CNBC

[Butcher]

Just got this letter from Tom:

Dear Mr. Stone,

On behalf of the Ricketts Family, we are thrilled to be the new majority owners of the Chicago Cubs. We
share your passion for the team and Wrigley Field and are eager to begin working towards our primary goal
- bringing a World Series championship to the Friendly Confines.

Like you, my family and I are Cubs fans. Over the past 25 years, it is very likely we have been sitting near
you, cheering on the team -- celebrating Cubs wins and suffering their losses. My parents, siblings and I
appreciate the great responsibility we have as stewards of this historic franchise. It is also a great
opportunity to bring a championship to the most deserving fans in sports. From the beginning, we will
promote excellence and accountability within the organization at every level.

Equally important to our family is the preservation and improvement of Wrigley Field. We understand that
Wrigley Field is unique and special. As the media has reported, it is true that I met my wife in the bleachers
and I lived across the street from the field. Like many of you, we are raising our children to respect the
traditions and history of Wrigley Field. As stewards of our beloved ballpark, we will not disturb those
important traditions, even as we explore avenues to maintain and improve the park. We will also expand
on the recent tradition of soliciting your feedback on how to enhance your experience at Wrigley Field.
Building a consistent winning tradition on the field, while at the same time improving our 96-year-old
ballpark will not be easy and it won’t happen overnight. Our family is committed to this endeavor for the
long-term and we will reinvest all of the club’s profits into the team and the ballpark for the foreseeable
future.

As we look forward to a great season in 2010, we would like to thank you for your continued support. We
truly believe that Cubs fans are the best in baseball. We look forward to meeting you at Wrigley Field and
to working with you as we turn the page to the next chapter in the history of the Chicago Cubs.

See you Opening Day,

Thomas S. Ricketts
Cubs Chairman

[1060Ivy]

<!--quoteo(post=67648:date=Oct 30 2009, 12:37 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Oct 30 2009, 12:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Just got this letter from Tom:

Dear Mr. Stone,

On behalf of the Ricketts Family, we are thrilled to be the new majority owners of the Chicago Cubs. We
share your passion for the team and Wrigley Field and are eager to begin working towards our primary goal
- bringing a World Series championship to the Friendly Confines.

Like you, my family and I are Cubs fans. Over the past 25 years, it is very likely we have been sitting near
you, cheering on the team -- celebrating Cubs wins and suffering their losses. My parents, siblings and I
appreciate the great responsibility we have as stewards of this historic franchise. It is also a great
opportunity to bring a championship to the most deserving fans in sports. From the beginning, we will
promote excellence and accountability within the organization at every level.

Equally important to our family is the preservation and improvement of Wrigley Field. We understand that
Wrigley Field is unique and special. As the media has reported, it is true that I met my wife in the bleachers
and I lived across the street from the field. Like many of you, we are raising our children to respect the
traditions and history of Wrigley Field. As stewards of our beloved ballpark, we will not disturb those
important traditions, even as we explore avenues to maintain and improve the park. We will also expand
on the recent tradition of soliciting your feedback on how to enhance your experience at Wrigley Field.
Building a consistent winning tradition on the field, while at the same time improving our 96-year-old
ballpark will not be easy and it won’t happen overnight. Our family is committed to this endeavor for the
long-term and we will reinvest all of the club’s profits into the team and the ballpark for the foreseeable
future.

As we look forward to a great season in 2010, we would like to thank you for your continued support. We
truly believe that Cubs fans are the best in baseball. We look forward to meeting you at Wrigley Field and
to working with you as we turn the page to the next chapter in the history of the Chicago Cubs.

See you Opening Day,

Thomas S. Ricketts
Cubs Chairman<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Nice letter. Good sentiment. At least it appears that Cubs will be able to continue to market themselves well.

[1060Ivy]

Here's ESPN's take on the news conference. Rickett's no hurry for Cubs overhaul.

Not quite my take away but if that's they way they want to spin it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/ne...id=4608487