Chicago Cubs Baseball

In case you haven’t heard there’s a new owner in town and he’s determined to drag Chicago Cubs baseball, Wrigley Field and Cubdom into the 21st Century whether we like it or not.

Sam Zell’s his name and money’s his game. And for now, Zell is owner of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and every nut, bolt, loose thread or corked bat associated with the franchise, including the naming rights to the Friendly Confines.

Which is exactly his plan - sell the good name of Wrigley Field to the highest bidder.

“Wrigley is an obvious world-wide icon and Wrigley Field is world-wide known. But, in the world of economics, when I bought the Tribune, I didn’t get a discount because I wasn’t going to use the naming rights that field represents,” Zell said earlier last week. “Perhaps the Wrigley Co. will decide that, after getting it for free for so long, that it’s time to pay for it.”

The audacity of those gum bums.

Since 1981, the year the Tribune Co. bought the Chicago Cubs, the Wrigley’s have had their name attached to one of the most recognizable and beloved franchises in all of sports. Free of charge.

So it’s about time to pay up. Isn’t it?

Which is what makes Cubdom’s reaction to Zell’s revelation so surprising.

The first hint of Zell’s intentions became clear last year when advertising began appearing amongst the ivy. At that point, we should have learned Zell’s motto easily could be, “Sam I Am, Greenbacks and Sam.”

Sam Zell is about making money. No bones about it. He didn’t become the $6 billion man by playing nice or having a soft spot for history - although he may very well know it.

In fairness to the Cubs owner, if and more like when, the Wrigley Field name becomes an asterisk in the annals of Chicago Cub history, it won’t be the first time. Prior to becoming Wrigley Field, the Friendly Confines also held the names of North Side Ball Park, the Federal League Ball Park, Weeghman Park, Whales Park and Cubs Park.

It was in 1926 the Wrigley’s attached their name to it after becoming majority owners six years earlier. By the way, William Wrigley Jr. described himself as someone who could sell “pianos to armless men in Borneo.”

My advice to Cubdom as we venture into this season of Zell, is take a big gulp of Old Style, say the Serenity Prayer and enjoy the ride. Cause I have a feeling this won’t be the last time you’ll need one or both to get you through this season. It’s going to be one Zell-uva year.