Who Runs Wrigleyville Now? Unveiling the Mystery of the Chicago Cubs' Current Captain
Ah, the Chicago Cubs. A team steeped in history, heartbreak (mostly in the past, we swear!), and the occasional World Series victory (we'll never forget 2016!). But who calls the shots these days? Who decides if the hot dogs are extra juicy and the outfielders wear oven mitts? Let's untangle the ownership yarn, shall we?
From Chewing Gum to Ivy Walls: A Brief History of Cubs Ownership
The Cubs have seen a kaleidoscope of characters at the helm. We're talking chewing gum magnates (William Wrigley Jr., ring a bell?), newspaper tycoons (the Tribune Company, anyone?), and even a guy who once owned a rival league team (Charles Weeghman, that's you!). It's been a wild ride, folks.
Enter the Ricketts Family: Stewards of the Friendly Confines
Fast forward to 2009, and the Ricketts family swoops in, becoming the majority owners. Tom Ricketts, the family frontman, isn't your average billionaire. Sure, he's got the money, but this guy bleeds Cubbie blue! Or maybe it's just the stadium lights reflecting... either way, the Ricketts family has overseen a new era for the team, complete with renovations to Wrigley Field (don't worry, the ivy is safe!) and, well, the occasional controversial decision (hey, being an owner is tough!).
So, Who Exactly Are the Ricketts?
Think of it like a family business, baseball style. Tom Ricketts is like the CEO, but he's got his siblings, Peter, Laura, and Todd, backing him up. They all share ownership through a family trust, which basically means they're all in this Wrigleyville thing together.
Fun Fact: Tom Ricketts is also a minority owner of the Chicago Bears. Maybe he's just a sucker for punishment (or loves the city that much)?
FAQ: You Ask, We Answer (Cub-Style!)
- How to become a Cubs owner? Unless you have a billion bucks lying around, this might be a tough one. But hey, you can always buy a share of the team... metaphorically speaking. Cheer loud enough, and they might feel like you're part of the family.
- How to get Tom Ricketts' autograph? This might be even harder than becoming an owner. But hey, you never know! Maybe you'll bump into him at a hot dog stand outside Wrigley. Just be prepared to explain why you want an autograph from the guy who makes the call on the hot dog quality.
- How to convince the Ricketts to bring back a fan favorite player? This one requires some serious social media magic. Start a #BringBack hashtag campaign and hope it goes viral. But be warned, the Ricketts family makes the final calls (and they have a lot of data to consider).
- How to get free tickets to a Cubs game? Well, this isn't exactly something you can plan. But hey, if you find yourself with some extra cash and a hankering for a hot dog, who knows, maybe you'll get lucky!
- How to know if the Ricketts family is reading this? If Wrigley Field suddenly starts dispensing free hot dogs with every ticket purchase, you'll know they saw this.
