I'm off to Wrigley Field shortly, but wanted to share with you several quotes that I just received in an email from NPR -- there is going to be a full-length interview with Tom Ricketts on NPR News' Weekend Edition tomorrow at 9 am CDT.
You can find out more here and below the fold.
I'll have a full story posted late this afternoon after the news conference, which can be seen live on CSN Chicago at 11 am CDT. Some of the questions you wanted me to ask are at least partly answered in the quotes he gave NPR.
On why he wants Piniella to stay on as manager, Ricketts says: "We think Lou is one of the best managers in baseball. He has an option to return next year, and from what I understand, I think he is planning to."
Asked about the future of Wrigley Field, he states: "First of all, we want this to be the best franchise in baseball, and you can’t be a world-class franchise and have third-class facilities." He goes on to say that "there is land that is just adjacent to the stadium, along Clark Street, that the team owns and we intend to develop that into a part of the stadium, that will give fans more options on game day, but as importantly free up space inside of the stadium to build in some of the clubhouse functionality that other teams enjoy."
Even if park improvements cause higher ticket prices, Ricketts says one thing fans "should keep in mind is that with family ownership now, we intend to reinvest all the profits that we can get on the team and put that back into preserving Wrigley Field and to putting a better team on the field. So it's not like it's going away to some kind of corporation and never will be seen again."
On how he wants to build the team, Ricketts says: "Undoubtedly the way to build the long-term winner is through player development. You got to draft the right people and you got to have scouts and coaches that are coordinated and working together to turn the right players into real producers at the major league level. Free agency, I think, is something you look at when you got a hole to fill or when you haven’t been able to produce a player from your own system. The real key for consistent performance and trying to win the division every single year is developing our own players."
Asked whether any other sports franchise is a model for the Cubs, he responds: "I think obviously what they've done with Fenway is a good thing for us to look at in terms of how to improve the stadium. Because we really do want to preserve and keep improving the special experience that Wrigley Field is. On the field we also wouldn’t mind copying the Red Sox. I think it's time for the team to push forward and to win a World Series."
0 recs | 117 comments
Excellent.
If he can follow along with what he’s said in this interview, then the Cubs appear to be in the right hands moving forward.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
He sounds like a good guy, feeling like we are in good hands.
ctinsley12bsu - October 30, 2009 via mobile
He's 5 for 5 with those remarks as far as I'm concerned - especially this one:
Aw, hell yeah. I happen to be working from home this morning, so I’m looking forward to watching the press conference.
daver - October 30, 2009
That's nice...
… but I much prefer this quote:
Flatley - October 30, 2009
Yeah, that one is good, too - in the long-term.
From a more short-term perspective, I’d like to see the players on the team in the near future have better facilities to support their play on the field.
daver - October 30, 2009
No reason they can't both happen simultaneously.
I’m just saying that the team and club will be more positively impacted by a renewed focus on player development and scouting. Equipment is all well and good, but I’d appreciate no longer having to feel dread when I hear the opposing pitcher is making his major league debut.
Flatley - October 30, 2009
I like the fact that he denies curses immediately
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Here's a link to the Crain Chicago Business story
and I love what I read in it.
chilango2 - October 30, 2009
The best news of all is Ricketts
plans to fix the bathrooms for next season! Sounds fabulous to me!
cowsarecool220 - October 30, 2009
You mean Restrooms
Although I suppose you could take some kind of bath in the troughs.
StevenABQ - October 30, 2009
There is no word in the English language...
… to describe how horribly, horribly disgusting that is.
hip2bsquare - October 30, 2009
I don't go there to rest either ;)
DMCub - October 30, 2009
For live streaming of the press conference
here is the link to WGN’s coverage.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Um he does say ticket prices will INCREASE next season.
So much for our hopes that they would not.
Doggie Stalker - October 30, 2009
The good news is the exorbitant increases appear to be in the past.
According to the Crain’s article, ticket prices will go up in the future about the same as inflation which sounds reasonable.
cowsarecool220 - October 30, 2009
Not that I'm complaining about Ricketts...
but for what it’s worth, based off the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), we’ve actually had deflation since March. (See here). Of course, it’s very possible that with all of the stimulus spending, we’re in for horrible inflation in the not too distant future anyway…
(And anyway it’s more outragous that the cost of University admission continues to skyrocket irrespective of inflation than the fact that Cubs tickets might go up slightly. So I’m not complaining…)
CubsWin!Oregon - October 30, 2009
Actually, just for accuracy's sake I should probably amend that...
That website might be listing the marginal difference of month to month, though I’m not really sure. the WSJ lists the CPI in August as 0.1%, so now I don’t know what to think. Other than I think if we aren’t inflationary right now, we will soon be…
(I realize this all neither here no there…just wanted to correct myself.) :)
CubsWin!Oregon - October 30, 2009
If additional profits are reinvested in the team and park then I can live with that.
It’s not the best time to raise ticket prices, obviously, but if it helps build the triangle building and upgrade Wrigley Field, I won’t complain.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Obviously depends on the amount
but being unemployed and waiting for my $5,000 plus bill is not the best feeling. To be fair I sell off a lot of them since I don’t live in Chicago I only use a small portion ( ( I also sit in the bleachers) . Anyway the Cubs have me hooked. I would rather sleep in the streets and go without health insurance than give up my season tickets.
Doggie Stalker - October 30, 2009
There's someone with her priorities straight!
chilango2 - October 30, 2009
My family shares the same sentiment.
And if, as mentioned above, ticket costs rise only with the cost of inflation, I can handle that.
I think as long as Cubs fans can see tangible results of the ticket increase – nicer facilities for players/fans, triangle building, better team, etc., then they can live with it. When ticket prices go up without any of that happening, then I think there will be major issues.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Sounds Like Crane Kenney
Not necessarily good or bad, but I don’t think anything there is really breaking new ground.
08Cubs - October 30, 2009
Also from the NPR article:
Amen.
daver - October 30, 2009
Ah, simulatneous
Yeah, I liked that one a lot.
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
simulatneous?
simulation, stimulation, igneous, gelatinous?
vonde6 - October 30, 2009
something like that
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
I'm assuming somebody will post what is being said
but if nobody was planning on doing it, I would appreciate somebody doing it. Stuck in class right now.
nji232 - October 30, 2009
Ricketts
He is a good man. My Dad has had indirect dealings with him. He is a good man and runs a solid organization from everything my Dad has heard.
My uncle in law has had more direct dealings with him and said he is trustworthy and again a good man.
puckishcubsfan - October 30, 2009
To add
to that, when I was stationed at Offutt AFB near Omaha my wife worked for Ameritrade. The only bad things she had to say about working there revolved around the customers :) Seriously, she never once complained about working there, in fact that was one of her favorite jobs. Employees were treated well and working conditions were good. As to what the family is saying, they are hitting all the right buttons and saying the right things as any new owner should and would, but the fact that the entire family is involved and they plan to keep the team in the family for a long time and plan on re-investing profit into the team and facilities really makes me hopeful for the future.
snowyman28 - October 30, 2009
Another thing
Another thing is that I think from all I have read is that the baseball people will run the baseball side of the organization with Ricketts running the business end of things.
puckishcubsfan - October 30, 2009
Hopefully
I hope the weather today isn’t a harbinger of things to come.
puckishcubsfan - October 30, 2009
………
dtpollitt - October 30, 2009
Dan, you should know better . . .
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Wow, this really is a family affair.
daver - October 30, 2009
That comes on after the Spelling Nanny, right?
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Must see TV!
daver - October 30, 2009
MLB Link
cubbiebear316 - October 30, 2009
Fail
MLB
cubbiebear316 - October 30, 2009
"Slight increases in payroll and ticket prices."
daver - October 30, 2009
Ricketts, “we are going to win the world series”
drodd - October 30, 2009
That's what McDonough said
Still, I like it. Sounds a hell of a lot better than, “We’re going to play meaningful games in September.”
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Ricketts Hit a 3 run HR
in his first official AB. Finish it off Mr. R. Bring us that trophy.
mrcubsfan - October 30, 2009
He is sure saying all the right things
This answers the higher-level questions that I had. I guess that we’ll see how much more specific he is willing to be at the following news conference…
vonde6 - October 30, 2009
What's a PSL?
daver - October 30, 2009
Personal Seat License
A way of milking more money out of season ticket holders.
vonde6 - October 30, 2009
more common in the NFL
vonde6 - October 30, 2009
Ah, OK. Thanks.
daver - October 30, 2009
Same as the Bears
propheteer - October 30, 2009
Boy, Kaplan's adding a lot
What the hell does Joe Ricketts sitting on a roof have to do with the direction of the team?
They are Cub fans . . . we get it. Next question.
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
somebody invited Kaplan?
gross
nji232 - October 30, 2009
Isn't he on the team payroll?
Wait, he only THINKS he is
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
when was the last time Kaplan added anything?
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
PHENOMENAL QUESTION! JUST PHENOMENAL!
daver - October 30, 2009
EXACTLY right
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
You're killing me here
I was going to wait for the transcript later, but what was the phenomenal question?
I hope that a phenomenal answer followed.
vonde6 - October 30, 2009
I like...
…his comments regarding what it takes to be successful; concentrate on player development, scouting etc.
I also liked his comment in regards to holding personal to the highest standards and holding them accountable.
Neither one of these have been an organizational strength, so I think he is on the right track.
MPH73 - October 30, 2009
“the team is understaffed, and if we want a world-class team on and off the field, we may have to supplement.” Nice.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
That's definitely a key
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Maybe the biggest thing the Cubs need to upgrade, IMO.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Yep - and that goes back to Any Mac
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
*Andy
What a disappointment that era was.
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
thoughts of that era elicit a long sigh.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Yes
I was pretty encouraged when he was hired, but he didn’t seem to have a plan. A former minor league exec with the Twins that I know was really disappointed after 3-4 years; he’d expected more from MacPhail with the Cubs.
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
As was I.
He just never seemed to get rolling on a coherent plan for the franchise, unfortunately.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
And still thought he was running a small market team
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Agreed.
Hopefully the Ricketts have an organizational philosophy from the top-down. And based on this presser, it seems like they do.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
To be honest I'm more excited for his Boers and Bernstien interview this afternoon
They won’t give Kaplan softball questions. Bernstien will actually grill him, not just let him tell us what we want to hear.
nji232 - October 30, 2009
what time is that?
china423 - October 30, 2009
3:30
nji232 - October 30, 2009
Pretty good answer on how involved they will be
“Tom’s coaching first base and I’m coaching third.”
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Seems like they have a good sense of humor
When the wireless mic went out, he leaned over had his sister talk directly into his clip-on microphone.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
This is already many kinds of awesome.
dtpollitt - October 30, 2009
I WANT TO CRY
I’m SO EXCITED FOR 2010 and Beyond!!!!!!
stixball21 - October 30, 2009
With regards to ticket price increases
“It’s important for families to be able to come to Wrigley Field.”
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Interesting that they have no plans to shut it down for a year
Rennovations could be tricky without doing so.
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
The Packers managed to pull it off
Though I don’t know how similar the situations would be
nji232 - October 30, 2009
And they did it well
But as you suggest, it’s different.
8 regular season games per year vs. 81, plus a shorter season — and a spring/summer off season vs. winter
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
Yeah the day to day games won't help
That construction crew will have to be ready for some hard winter labor I guess.
nji232 - October 30, 2009
In a sense the Cardinals did it too -
and when they did it their season was extended because of world series
doofus cubs guy - October 30, 2009
I suppose that's true
But it wasn’t as big of a project; most of the work was done before the season began.
The W.S. was irrelevant to the construction.
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
That ship sailed long ago
nji232 - October 30, 2009
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
Love it
Shanghai Badger - October 30, 2009
I hope like hell
Al gets some face time!!
cubsluver22 - October 30, 2009
Guess it's over
Darn
cubsluver22 - October 30, 2009
Well he got Al's vote
with the comment about the bleachers being special.
Doggie Stalker - October 30, 2009
The guy "GETS IT."
How refreshing from an owner, not a corporation. I’m excited for the future. Now I’m really geeked to attend this year’s Cubs Convention as the kick-off to the season…
Zeke - October 30, 2009
This guy rules. Friggin awesome.
dtpollitt - October 30, 2009
He might make a good first base coach.
Doggie Stalker - October 30, 2009
I'll reserve judgement until I see him act on his plans
It sounds like he has a plan in place, and that its a good plan, but I want to actually see it in action before I celebrate.
nji232 - October 30, 2009
Direct answers to questions.
How refreshing.
BleedsbluinMI - October 30, 2009
Any news on Crane Kenney?
I haven’t heard a peep as to how this will affect him.
slocs55 - October 30, 2009
Looks like Kenney and Henrdy stay
based on this interview with Darren Rovell: http://www.cnbc.com/id/33550407
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
Yeah
but Kenney’s responsibilities were sort of that of an owner, well now there is an owner. I think Kenney might want to start networking…
slocs55 - October 30, 2009
We knew that before today...
…the question that remains is based on this; since Rickett’s said (and I paraprhase), the key to success is not signing that one FA, but is in developing players through scouting and coaching. He also said they are going to have world class standards to uphold and will hold people accountable.
This is what I wanted to hear and I am sure he meant it. Now, who will be the judge of whether the baseball organization is on the right track to meet the standards he mentioned today? Will it be Ricketts himself? Since he is not a baseball guy, I highly doubt it. Will it be Kenney? Don’t think so. Someone has to give Rickett’s an expert opinion on Hendry and his people, and I would bet that will be established in the next little while.
MPH73 - October 30, 2009
I'd be willing to bet that, too.
I can see a scenario in which Kenney handles many of the off-the-field matters for the Cubs, overseeing marketing, further development of the triangle building, etc., and the Ricketts bring in someone to oversee the baseball operations as well.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
I'd be shocked....
…if that doesn’t happen.
Furthermore, some of his comments today almost seemed to be a diss towards Hendry:
“short term solutions are nothing but fools gold”
“the key is to develop players through scouting and coaching through the system”
Hendry has been all about short term solutions, and he has also come up way short in the 2nd point as well.
MPH73 - October 30, 2009
Wow. Hadn't seen it that way.
Good catch. Wonder how that relationship will pan out.
chilango2 - October 30, 2009
In Hendry's defense, that appeared to be the mandate to him. Win now. Period. Damn the torpedos. Full speed ahead.
Pinella wasn’t hired as the long term solution. He was hired to “win now.”
If longer term was the case, Joe Girardi would have been the logical managerial hire.
Zeke - October 30, 2009
Could be...
…but it is also the comfortable approach for Hendry as well.
Remember, Hendry ran player development from 1994-2002 and yielded very little in regards to building a farm system that either scouted well or developed players (especially position players) worth anything.
I think we have seen enough of Hendry to know he is not a “builder” of quality baseball organizaitons. Hendry is much more of a reactionary type of guy who makes a lot of decisions based on whether he likes someone or emotions and not sound baseball objectivity. It takes a lot more energy (and smarts) to build it from the ground up, than it was from the top down with a checkbook in hand.
MPH73 - October 30, 2009
Yes, I do agree with your assessment here.
He is reactionary…
Zeke - October 30, 2009
Nice little intro
It was a good way to meet the family but I would have liked to hear a little more in terms of specifics. Does he anticipate any of the current front office being replaced or reorganized? Where specifically does he see “supplementing” the current organization personnel?
I
dmlichte - October 30, 2009
Was it really as good as it sounds here?
Eamus Catuli
eths - October 30, 2009 via mobile
It was pretty damn good, IMO.
Some additional details are needed, as dmlichte said, but overall, Ricketts provided clean, concise answers to the questions asked and seemed to have an idea for a top-down organizational philosophy.
Bill Potter - October 30, 2009
I'm looking forward to reading a detailed summary
Seeing as I couldn’t watch from Europe
eths - October 30, 2009 via mobile
It was streamed at Cubs.com. Mlb.tv might have it available to re-watch.
BleedsbluinMI - October 30, 2009
I saw the first part of it before I had to go to class
And I must say that I was really impressed with his answers, though I’m still not sold on the idea of the Triangle Building. I think that he really wants the Cubs to succeed and will do everything in his power to make sure that we win a World Series.
Pre - October 30, 2009
Extended coverage
For those in the Chicago area, CSN is now doing an hour long special with interviews with Ricketts and other Cubs personnel.
First question that was a big fail is that Ronnie Woo Woo will remain a part of the Cubs family.
dmlichte - October 30, 2009
I loved it
I loved it even if I screwed up my routine by taking lunch at 11 to watch it in the breakroom.
he said the right things but of course what is he going to say “We want to finish last and rake in the money, Wrigley needs to be blown up and the Cub fans are all ugly and their mothers dress them funny”
Oh and a side note Kerry Wood will be on Bob Sirrots Sunday night WGN radio show.
puckishcubsfan - October 30, 2009
Player development
The most important thing he uttered….we’re all obviously tired of our horrible, overpaid OF.
propheteer - October 30, 2009
Mr. Ricketts just sent me a letter
well ok he sent to all season ticket holders. Pretty much what he said in the press conference. Any season ticket holder with better skills can post it but nothing new there.
Doggie Stalker - October 30, 2009
What a good first impression!
I’m really excited. Except for the part about a slight ticket increase, I loved everything he said. Especially loved his response to the curse-priceless!
I was skeptical about how big of fans they were until they described it as being sucked in. Yes, the Cubs have a way of doing that to people.
katie casey - October 30, 2009
Encouraging to say the least.
I can’t wait to see his plan in action. Time will tell of course, but it appears he has a plan in place top-to-bottom for this franchise, which is excellent.
Tangled Up In Blue - October 30, 2009
I recorded it to
watch later and after reading the comments in here I can’t wait to watch.
sue369 - October 30, 2009
Definitely seems like a guy with his head on straight....
From this interview I feel like this team could will be headed in the right direction. When he says that we’re going to win the world series, I believe him because he’s in our shoes and knows how much we deserve it.
His bald bro, all the way to the left, can’t remember his name, doesn’t seem like he’s been as gung-ho on the Cubs as the rest of the family but, no doubt, he’s on board. Some of his remarks kind of puzzled me
I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to.
EJThunder - October 30, 2009
And Ricketts never once said anything about instituting a "College of Coaches"...
This is all new ground for everyone associated with the Cubs. A family owner who by all accounts, is on the ball.
Think about it. In my whole life (and everyone else’s), the Cubs have either been owned by the Wrigleys or the Tribune.
This is a whole new ballgame for all…
Zeke - October 30, 2009
That part about building the team through player development
and THEN filling holes through free agency is the best thing I’ve ever heard from anyone in Cub management.
Mapmaker - October 30, 2009
and
Not too expensive
vonde6 - October 30, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.