I dont mean to interject seriousness into this non serious thread, but its time to stop assuming the worst about Donald Trump. The guys has acted like a buffoon, but he could end up being a great president. At this point, we just dont know.
“I appreciate you throwing your credibility away. Go Cubs”
My take on this?
Like Yuengling Beer, the Cubs are the Cubs, the owners of the product I enjoy are just that, the owners. I’m not liking or living the Cubs less today, nor do I not like a Yuengling when the opportunity arises.
The Ricketts were smart to hire Theo and leave him alone.
–I dont mean to interject seriousness into this non serious thread, but its time to stop assuming the worst about Donald Trump. The guys has acted like a buffoon, but he could end up being a great president.–
Don’t worry, you didn’t “inject any seriousness.”
It’s okay to observe what Trump says and does and form opinions based on that, is it not?
When it comes to Presidents, you just never know. History has multiple examples of major fails, good people failing under adverse conditions, and of men rising to the circumstances of the times.
It usually takes the perspective of 30 to 50 years hindsight before you can somewhat accurately judge a President.
If a president-elect asks you to serve in a high-profile post and you are in a position to accept it with no consequences then what is the issue? Mr. Ricketts is not a current officeholder. He would not be required to give up a Senate or Congressional seat, and he has enough money and a position to return to after he leaves or after Trump’s time as president ends.
Are people really going to boycott the Cubs because of this?! I hope not. Theo maxed out to HRC and very publicly supported her. These guys are grown-ups. They can do what they want.
Having a connection and input between high influence non-politician Chicagoans and any White House is good for the city and region. Was true with Pritzkers is true with Ricketts.
Word - not to be too argumentative and not to get into the business side of things but a boycott of a sports team and a hit musical are not equal. The Cubs have TV revenues/ratings and merchandising, so more casual fans could legitimately boycott the team by not watching games or buying team gear. Hamilton fans can do what - buy tickets? I have never heard of anyone buying and wearing a Lin-Manuel Miranda official on-stage jersey.
The question is legit. How would Red Sox fans react NOW if Curt Schilling were still pitching? He came out big for Trump. They put up with his politics in 2004 but how would that go over in 2016?
Wow. Theo maxed at $2700. By comparison, the Ricketts family controlled “a big-money outfit to elect Trump. The outfit is comprised of a super PAC called Future45 — which would eventually run the ad during the NLCS — and a linked non-profit group called 45Committee.
Joe and Marlene Ricketts donated at least $1 million to the groups, while Todd Ricketts reportedly has helped the groups raise nearly $30 million from other donors.”
Soccermom and Soccerdad nearly came to blows about this issue this morning. I have spent my last cent on the Cubs until the end of the Trump Administration. I’ll miss Wrigley, but they’ve spent enough of my money on this horrible, horrible threat to our American democracy.
Charles W. Murphy another owner of the Cubs was also conservative, but his links to the GOP are less clear from what I know. Owners of baseball teams are not generally poor people or even middle class, they tend to be rich and historically they have more often gravitated towards the GOP.
Soccermom - you just proved my point. Unless every single seat/space at Wrigley is a season ticket then people can express disdain with their wallets.
I use sports as an escape. I wish more people did. Just my opinion.
I love the Red Sox and have for over 20 years. John Henry donates a decent chunk of KNOWN money to Democratic entities but I still buy Sox hats, shirts, jackets, trinkets, etc. Who cares?! It is none of my business how a wealthy man spends his money. As long as the Sox are competitive he can dole out cash to whomever he wants. http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/01/boston-sports-owners-political-contributions/
Amen. Those who were unaware of the Republican leanings of successive generations of Cubs’ owners simply were not paying attention. Charles Taft was the brother of President William Howard Taft for goodness sake.
Nobody seemed to concerned that Charles Comiskey was the son of a Chicago alderman (”Honest John” Comiskey) who helped his son choose a future location for the old ballpark by tipping him as to future plans for street car lines.
–Owners of baseball teams are not generally poor people or even middle class, they tend to be rich and historically they have more often gravitated towards the GOP.–
In praise of the great Bill Veeck:
Broke the color line in the American League, brought in Hank Greenberg as a partner when anti-semitism was still rampant among owners, testified on behalf of Curt Flood in his anti-trust case.
Got his leg blown off in the Marines, installed an ashtray is his wooden leg. Drank a case of beer and read at least two books a day, mostly at Miller’s, where he did his business from a phone at the bar.
Sat in the bleachers with his shirt off at Wrigley.
Planted the ivy and built the scoreboard at Wrigley, installed the exploding scoreboard at Old Cominskey, took the Sox to the pennant in ‘59.
It’s weird that we’re pretending that pretty-visible Clinton supporter Laura Ricketts doesn’t exist.
- Chicago_Downstater - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
Meh, as so many other commenters pointed out Laura is a good balance to Todd, so I don’t feel guilty for bleeding that Cubbie Blue. Still pretty interesting.
Republican leanings are one thing. When I spent a few days in Ohio knocking on doors for Hillary, Future45 was running ad after ad. I think those ads had a real impact on the election.
I felt differently about this before the election. But now I can’t stand the idea of Future45 getting another dime of my money.
White Sox fans go for the game, the noise, the ballpark food, the camaraderie with total strangers of unknown politics who are also Sox fans, and the nice bathrooms. The main thing we care about with respect to team ownership right now is that he opens his wallet for a good new center fielder and a decent catcher. I have no idea who Jerry voted for or may have contributed to. I don’t want to know and I couldn’t care less.
–White Sox fans go for the game, the noise, the ballpark food, the camaraderie with total strangers of unknown politics who are also Sox fans, and the nice bathrooms.–
Nice bathrooms? That’s what Cub-hatin’ “real” Sox Sout-Siders are into these days? Who knew?
Seems like a niche selling point. I guess that’s why Sox were 26th out of 30 in attendance?
Wouldn’t you rather watch the ballgame, instead of hanging out in public restrooms, no matter how “nice.”
That so few Sox fans go to the games shows that the game, the noise, the ballpark food, the camaraderie with total strangers of unknown politics who are also Sox fans, and the, ahem, nice bathrooms, ain’t that great a draw.
- Don't Call Us, Will Call You - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 7:08 pm:
Following the election, Cubs pitcher, Jake Arrieta, winner of two World Series games, tweeted:
“Time for Hollywood to pony up and head for the border #illhelpyoupack #beatit
- Dan Johnson - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:33 am:
We’ve still got Laura!
- Anon - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:34 am:
I dont mean to interject seriousness into this non serious thread, but its time to stop assuming the worst about Donald Trump. The guys has acted like a buffoon, but he could end up being a great president. At this point, we just dont know.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:39 am:
Caption?
“I appreciate you throwing your credibility away. Go Cubs”
My take on this?
Like Yuengling Beer, the Cubs are the Cubs, the owners of the product I enjoy are just that, the owners. I’m not liking or living the Cubs less today, nor do I not like a Yuengling when the opportunity arises.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:39 am:
The Ricketts were smart to hire Theo and leave him alone.
–I dont mean to interject seriousness into this non serious thread, but its time to stop assuming the worst about Donald Trump. The guys has acted like a buffoon, but he could end up being a great president.–
Don’t worry, you didn’t “inject any seriousness.”
It’s okay to observe what Trump says and does and form opinions based on that, is it not?
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:40 am:
Ewwww.
And Anon, it’s less an assumption that a presumption. It ain’t based on nothin’.
- Totally not anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:41 am:
@anon, maybe not, but I have a pretty good guess based on his tweets and the majority of his appointments…
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:43 am:
Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts was a bundler for Hillary and if I’m not mistaken, Theo maxed out to her as well. Good balance.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:43 am:
“At this point, we just dont know.”
We know what he has been and we know what he is today. The evidence suggests he will not be a great anything.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:55 am:
When it comes to Presidents, you just never know. History has multiple examples of major fails, good people failing under adverse conditions, and of men rising to the circumstances of the times.
It usually takes the perspective of 30 to 50 years hindsight before you can somewhat accurately judge a President.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:56 am:
Well said Word! You too JS Mill.
To the post - Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 10:57 am:
Sorry, I meant “dear old dad” and I certainly wouldn’t joke about that. No offense intended.
- d.p.gumby - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:22 am:
Gee, Anon. 10:34, if that is so, why are you anonymous?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:26 am:
If a president-elect asks you to serve in a high-profile post and you are in a position to accept it with no consequences then what is the issue? Mr. Ricketts is not a current officeholder. He would not be required to give up a Senate or Congressional seat, and he has enough money and a position to return to after he leaves or after Trump’s time as president ends.
Are people really going to boycott the Cubs because of this?! I hope not. Theo maxed out to HRC and very publicly supported her. These guys are grown-ups. They can do what they want.
- a drop in - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:29 am:
Nobody boycotted the team over the previous owners.
- Archiesmom - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:30 am:
Laura Ricketts 2018!
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:31 am:
Having a connection and input between high influence non-politician Chicagoans and any White House is good for the city and region. Was true with Pritzkers is true with Ricketts.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:33 am:
–Are people really going to boycott the Cubs because of this?!–
Who said that? Did I miss it?
And just like “Hamilton,” can you really “boycott” something that’s going to sell out now for years to come? A full house is a full house.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:34 am:
===Nobody boycotted the team over the previous owners===
If you’re referring to the Tribune, I did.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:35 am:
Trump: Thanks for joining MY team, Todd! I need you to plant the ivy along my Wall.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:39 am:
“I dont mean to interject seriousness into this non serious thread…”
Don’t worry, you didn’t.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:50 am:
Word - not to be too argumentative and not to get into the business side of things but a boycott of a sports team and a hit musical are not equal. The Cubs have TV revenues/ratings and merchandising, so more casual fans could legitimately boycott the team by not watching games or buying team gear. Hamilton fans can do what - buy tickets? I have never heard of anyone buying and wearing a Lin-Manuel Miranda official on-stage jersey.
The question is legit. How would Red Sox fans react NOW if Curt Schilling were still pitching? He came out big for Trump. They put up with his politics in 2004 but how would that go over in 2016?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 11:55 am:
11:50 was me. My auto fill option on Chrome must have been shut off.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 12:00 pm:
Wow. Theo maxed at $2700. By comparison, the Ricketts family controlled “a big-money outfit to elect Trump. The outfit is comprised of a super PAC called Future45 — which would eventually run the ad during the NLCS — and a linked non-profit group called 45Committee.
Joe and Marlene Ricketts donated at least $1 million to the groups, while Todd Ricketts reportedly has helped the groups raise nearly $30 million from other donors.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/donald-trump-chicago-cubs-ricketts-230424
Soccermom and Soccerdad nearly came to blows about this issue this morning. I have spent my last cent on the Cubs until the end of the Trump Administration. I’ll miss Wrigley, but they’ve spent enough of my money on this horrible, horrible threat to our American democracy.
- Rod - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 12:26 pm:
Rich there is a history of the Cubs and Republican politics going back at least to William Wrigley if you want to know more read this http://sabr.org/research/why-did-wrigley-lasker-and-chicago-cubs-join-presidential-campaign
Charles W. Murphy another owner of the Cubs was also conservative, but his links to the GOP are less clear from what I know. Owners of baseball teams are not generally poor people or even middle class, they tend to be rich and historically they have more often gravitated towards the GOP.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 12:34 pm:
Soccermom - you just proved my point. Unless every single seat/space at Wrigley is a season ticket then people can express disdain with their wallets.
I use sports as an escape. I wish more people did. Just my opinion.
I love the Red Sox and have for over 20 years. John Henry donates a decent chunk of KNOWN money to Democratic entities but I still buy Sox hats, shirts, jackets, trinkets, etc. Who cares?! It is none of my business how a wealthy man spends his money. As long as the Sox are competitive he can dole out cash to whomever he wants. http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/01/boston-sports-owners-political-contributions/
- W Flag - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 12:36 pm:
@ Rod:
Amen. Those who were unaware of the Republican leanings of successive generations of Cubs’ owners simply were not paying attention. Charles Taft was the brother of President William Howard Taft for goodness sake.
Nobody seemed to concerned that Charles Comiskey was the son of a Chicago alderman (”Honest John” Comiskey) who helped his son choose a future location for the old ballpark by tipping him as to future plans for street car lines.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 12:37 pm:
–Owners of baseball teams are not generally poor people or even middle class, they tend to be rich and historically they have more often gravitated towards the GOP.–
In praise of the great Bill Veeck:
Broke the color line in the American League, brought in Hank Greenberg as a partner when anti-semitism was still rampant among owners, testified on behalf of Curt Flood in his anti-trust case.
Got his leg blown off in the Marines, installed an ashtray is his wooden leg. Drank a case of beer and read at least two books a day, mostly at Miller’s, where he did his business from a phone at the bar.
Sat in the bleachers with his shirt off at Wrigley.
Planted the ivy and built the scoreboard at Wrigley, installed the exploding scoreboard at Old Cominskey, took the Sox to the pennant in ‘59.
That was a Chicago original.
- W Flag - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 12:49 pm:
“Veeck as in Wreck” is one of the most entertaining reads imaginable. I am rereading now.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
It’s weird that we’re pretending that pretty-visible Clinton supporter Laura Ricketts doesn’t exist.
- Chicago_Downstater - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
Meh, as so many other commenters pointed out Laura is a good balance to Todd, so I don’t feel guilty for bleeding that Cubbie Blue. Still pretty interesting.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 2:55 pm:
Republican leanings are one thing. When I spent a few days in Ohio knocking on doors for Hillary, Future45 was running ad after ad. I think those ads had a real impact on the election.
I felt differently about this before the election. But now I can’t stand the idea of Future45 getting another dime of my money.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 3:53 pm:
White Sox fans go for the game, the noise, the ballpark food, the camaraderie with total strangers of unknown politics who are also Sox fans, and the nice bathrooms. The main thing we care about with respect to team ownership right now is that he opens his wallet for a good new center fielder and a decent catcher. I have no idea who Jerry voted for or may have contributed to. I don’t want to know and I couldn’t care less.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 4:04 pm:
–White Sox fans go for the game, the noise, the ballpark food, the camaraderie with total strangers of unknown politics who are also Sox fans, and the nice bathrooms.–
Nice bathrooms? That’s what Cub-hatin’ “real” Sox Sout-Siders are into these days? Who knew?
Seems like a niche selling point. I guess that’s why Sox were 26th out of 30 in attendance?
Wouldn’t you rather watch the ballgame, instead of hanging out in public restrooms, no matter how “nice.”
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 4:08 pm:
Word—see item 1 on my list above , please.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 4:25 pm:
Responsa
That so few Sox fans go to the games shows that the game, the noise, the ballpark food, the camaraderie with total strangers of unknown politics who are also Sox fans, and the, ahem, nice bathrooms, ain’t that great a draw.
- Don't Call Us, Will Call You - Wednesday, Nov 30, 16 @ 7:08 pm:
Following the election, Cubs pitcher, Jake Arrieta, winner of two World Series games, tweeted:
“Time for Hollywood to pony up and head for the border #illhelpyoupack #beatit