October 2009 Archives

Ryan Dempster told the Chicago Tribune the players would give Milton Bradley another chance. The Cubs are not going to "give Bradley away for nothing and pay the majority of the $21 million left on his contract" according to the Tribune.

Friday was a big day for the Chicago Cubs ... The Ricketts Family is now in charge.

The Ricketts Family met the Chicago Media and fan base for the first time as owners of the Chicago Cubs on Friday morning. Mr. Ricketts began the press conference by saying, "After three long years, we are very excited to say today the Ricketts Family is the owner of the Chicago Cubs." Tom Ricketts, the Cubs' Chairman of the Board, introduced the rest of the family (Pete, Laura and Todd) and acknowledged his parents in attendance.

"We're going to win the World Series by striving every day in every way to be the best franchise in baseball. We're going to invest in the best facilities in baseball, world-class facilities where every player wants to play and every coach wants to coach. We're going to hire the best personnel and we're going to hold them to the highest standards of excellence and accountability."

One of Mr. Ricketts strongest statements of the morning press conference, "We are here for the long term and we are here to win."

Tom Ricketts and his family will be formally introduced Friday during a press conference at Wrigley Field that begins at 11:00am C.S.T. WGN TV, Comcast SportsNet and CLTV will carry the press conference live as Mr. Ricketts addresses the media for the first time as the Chairman of the Board of the Chicago National League Ball Club.

Updated - 10:18am C.S.T. - With Information from NPR

While the Phillies and Yankees battled in game one of the Fall Classic, the rumor mill continued to pickup speed for the Chicago Cubs. Jim Hendry and his staff will receive direction from Tom Ricketts next week in Mesa during the organizational meetings ... Mr. Ricketts is expected to reveal some of "his long-term and short-term plans" for his team during Friday's press conference.

The new owner of the Cubs is expected to be hands-on and many feel once Mr. Ricketts gives Hendry his payroll number, 'Trader Jim' will have to get to work and be a little creative in order to get the Cubs back in the post season next year.

Here's the latest, including a rumored deal for Milton Bradley that has been on the table for three weeks.

It took two years, six months and twenty-five days but the Chicago Cubs finally have an owner and today is the Ricketts Family first full day at the helm. Tuesday officially ended Tribune Co.'s 28-year run as the owner of the Chicago National League Ball Club ... on June 16, 1981 Tribune Co. purchased the Cubs from the Wrigley Family for $20.5 million.

Tom Ricketts will be formally introduced at a press conference Friday at Wrigley Field. WGN TV and CLTV will air the press conference, which begins at 11:00am C.T.

Not to long after the announcement, the rumor mill and other news began surfacing ... here is the latest a week before the Cubs' organizational meetings get underway in Mesa.

According to reports from the Chicago Tribune, the Ricketts Family officially took over control of the Chicago Cubs Tuesday morning. As expected, the final hurdle in the bankruptcy case passed through on Monday.

Tom Ricketts is expected to be formally announced during a press conference on Friday at Wrigley Field.

Updated 8:05pm C.T. - With Statement from Tom Ricketts

Starlin Castro has attracted a lot of attention in recent weeks. His play in the Arizona Fall League coupled with his 2009 campaign has moved the 19-year old shortstop up the Cubs' prospect list. A report from Cubs.com made the statement, "Starlin Castro is ready for the big leagues."

The week ahead will be a very exciting time for the Chicago National League Ball Club. Reports on Friday indicated the Ricketts Family would take control of the organization by the end of next week. Bruce Levine reported Saturday morning Tom Ricketts would assume control on Tuesday ... after the final hurdle of the bankruptcy filing takes place on Monday.

Tom Ricketts will be officially announced as the new owner of the Cubs during a press conference at Wrigley Field on Friday, October 30.

Here's the rest of the weekend update, including notes of Jim Hendry's time on Talkin' Baseball ...

According to the Cubs.com transactions wire, the Cubs outrighted Bobby Scales to Triple-A Iowa on Friday ... with the move the Cubs' 40-man roster was reduced to 38 players.

Scales made his big league debut in 2009 and played in 51 games.

Rudy Jaramillo and Jim Hendry joined Dave Kaplan for the first hour of Sports Central Thursday night. While the Angels and Yankees battled it out to see who faces the Phillies in the Series, the Cubs' new hitting coach and general manager talked Chicago Cubs Baseball.