header-emailNEWSLETTER
header-email
BN downarrow Chicago Cubs downarrow Oh, Neat, Donald Trump Threatens....

Oh, Neat, Donald Trump Threatens to Attack Ricketts Family and Cubs and Other Bullets

Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
Mar 22, 2016
Chicago Cubs

tom ricketts wrigleyLots of hiking yesterday for the Taylor Family means the crew was still asleep when I dragged myself out of bed early to start typing these words. Today is a baseball day, though, as we’ll make our way out to Goodyear to see the Cubs take on the Reds. I can’t wait to see The Little Girl shouting, “Let’s go, Cubs!” over and over in the stands. And then, eventually, I suppose I’ll have to tell her that the game hasn’t started, and she needs to be quiet during the National Anthem.

  • Oh good. The Donald Trump versus Ricketts Family spat is back in the news, and in a way that implicates the Chicago Cubs, so I feel like I have to mention it. Swell. As you may recall, the presidential candidate recently threw a barb at the Ricketts Family because of some politically-inclined spending in which the matriarch of the family has participated. Cubs owner and Chairman Tom Ricketts responded as diplomatically and neutrally as possible, but now Trump is doubling down. In an interview with the Washington Post editorial board, Trump threatened to take out attack ads against the Ricketts Family “telling them all what a rotten job they’re doing with the Chicago Cubs.”

    • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • While I don’t doubt that this is mostly just political bluster, I have a sick, twisted desire to see what those ads might look like. After engaging in a necessary rebuilding program, the heart of which was the Ricketts’ move to bring in a top tier front office and then turn over the keys to them, the Cubs broke out to 97 wins last year, improved upon that team this offseason, and look like one of the best teams in baseball on paper (with an extremely bright long-term future). Furthermore, the Cubs are now spending among the upper teams in baseball, and Wrigley Field is being substantially renovated and developed. I would very much like to know what an attack ad against the Ricketts Family ownership would look like right now.
  • (I know it will be hard to resist the urge to talk about the political aspects of this stuff, but I do ask you to do your best not to. There are great places out there to discus politics, but this is not that place. I mention this particular item only because of the direct connection to the Cubs.)
  • Kyle Schwarber is a great guy, helping out a young baseball player when he had the chance.
  • By all accounts, John Lackey’s minor league outing yesterday went exactly as planned and expected, with him dominating the younger crew of players and continuing to feel good and ready for the season (Tribune, ESPN). While no one should expect the 37-year-old Lackey to duplicate his sub-3.00 ERA from 2015, expecting a solid, durable middle-of-the-rotation starter on a playoff-caliber team is absolutely a reasonable expectation (and very valuable).

    • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Starlin Castro is looking for a new walk-up song with the Yankees, because his extraordinarily catchy “Ando En La Verasace,” which got everyone in Wrigley Field (and the dugout) clapping when Castro took to the plate, is special to his time in Chicago. He told the New York Times, “It’s like a tradition in Chicago, so I’m going to keep it there. I can bring it, but I don’t want to. It was special. Leave it there, keep it in everybody’s mind.” I’m pretty sure that’s his way of saying he still loves the Cubs and Cubs fans. Same, Starlin. Castro, whom the Cubs traded to the Yankees in December to open up a spot for Ben Zobrist and to net Adam Warren, is hitting .444/.464/.741 on the Spring.
  • It’s very likely we’ll have a longer look at this at some point, but for now, you’ll want to read Joe Posnanski’s take on the Cubs’ evolution of the last couple years into a favorite this season.
  • Fun times:

  • Also, if you missed anything big in the Cubs’ world yesterday, here’s a mini-catch-up:

  • MiLB.com ranked farm systems.
  • Good vibes about how Hector Rondon’s Spring is coming along.
  • Cubs ticket prices are popping about 10% this year.
  • Bits from around the league, including the White Sox’s interest in (not) trading Chris Sale.
  • Jon Lester is not concerned about that chip in his elbow.
  • Joe Maddon has a dress code for his players.

    • Read More

    written by

    Brett Taylor

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Chicago Cubs

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 3, Cubs 0 – May 23, 2024

    The vibes are not good. For the 1,000th game in a row, the Chicago Cubs offense failed to do much of anything, wasting yet another (mostly) solid pitching performance from the entire staff. And it's especially a shame, because today...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    May 23, 2024
    Rob Manfred MLB
    Chicago Cubs

    Robo Umps, World Baseball Classic Sites, and More MLB Owners Meetings Nuggets

    It's clear that Major League Baseball needs to move to an automated balls-and-strikes system, and it's also clear that it will happen at some point. Unfortunately, it sounds like that system will not arrive in 2025. A report by the...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    AL MVP 2024 Updated odds MLB Notes
    Chicago Cubs

    MLBits: Yanks to Slash Payroll, Coming Up on the “Worst” Draft Class, Bogaerts, Skenes, More

    Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner is crying broke, the Padres' depth will be tested without Xander Bogaerts for the foreseeable future, and Keith Law has some strong words for the 2024 MLB Draft class in today's MLB Notes. Hal Steinbrenner Says Current...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    Pre-Gamin’: Braves at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — For as rough as it has felt at times against the Braves this season, the Cubs still have a chance to split the season-series with a win this afternoon. And while the Cubs are rolling with a...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    May 23, 2024
    Cubs Farm Report
    Chicago Cubs

    Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024: Horton’s Impressive Start Helps Iowa Down Indianapolis

    Cade Horton made his best start yet at Triple-A as the Iowa Cubs downed Indianapolis in 11 innings on Wednesday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs The Iowa...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    Steele is Feeling Really Good Overall, Offensive Lull, Pitcher Updates, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Little Boy has a special ceremony at school today, so the schedule is a little atypical for me. Hopefully the Cubs beat the Braves, take the series, and that'll put a great cap on the day. The 7th inning...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    Cade Horton Continues to Improve at Triple-A Iowa, and His Latest Start Was His Best

    I'd forgotten that, in addition to the talent and experience difference in jumping from Double-A competition to Triple-A competition, there are a couple logistical changes for players. First, there is the automated balls and strikes system (fully automated half the...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    Kyle Hendricks Takes His Bullpen Demotion Like an Absolute Champ

    Is there a more model Major Leaguer or better example-setter than Kyle Hendricks? I really don't think so. Two days ago, the Cubs bounced the veteran right-hander from their starting rotation. It was a true demotion, as his general ineffectiveness...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    At Least Porter Hodge’s Debut Was Incredible

    There's not a whole lot you're gonna want to take away from last night's loss to the Atlanta Braves, outside of the first six innings from Justin Steele, which were actually pretty good (just pretend in your mind that he...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 9, Cubs 2 – May 22, 2024

    If you didn't actually watch this game, you might be worried about Justin Steele. After all, how can anyone have been anything other than "really bad" with five earned runs to their name? Well, I'm here to tell you he...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    May 22, 2024
    More Posts

    Latest News

    Chicago Bulls

    Pistons Have Hired Their New Front Office Leader (And It’s Not Marc Eversley)

    The Detroit Pistons have reportedly settled on their next front-office leader. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, New Orleans Pelicans' Trajan Langdon will take over as the organization's new president of basketball operations. The decision comes after a seemingly extensive search,...

    Elias Schuster Elias Schuster
    May 23, 2024
    Dak Prescott NFL sports betting promos 12.17
    Chicago Bears

    Around the NFL: Dak’s Not About the Dollar, Rookie Sleepers, Leaner Lamar, More

    NFL Notes — Despite not having a contract extension in place (or even in sight), Dak Prescott doesn't plan on skipping any Cowboys offseason activities. Dak Prescott on Extension Talks: "I don't play for money" Despite entering the final year...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    Caleb Williams Bears
    Chicago Bears

    Bears OTAs: Tough Day for Caleb Williams and the Offense

    Are you ready for the premature panic on social media because Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense had a tough day in shorts and tee shirts on May 23? Prepare yourself because it happened. The word out of Lake...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    Rob Manfred MLB
    Chicago Cubs

    Robo Umps, World Baseball Classic Sites, and More MLB Owners Meetings Nuggets

    It's clear that Major League Baseball needs to move to an automated balls-and-strikes system, and it's also clear that it will happen at some point. Unfortunately, it sounds like that system will not arrive in 2025. A report by the...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    Betting

    NFL Futures: Latest 2024 NFC Division Winner Odds and More

    As the NFL season approaches, fans and bettors alike are eagerly analyzing the latest Division Winner Odds. With each division presenting its own set of challenges and potential surprises, the race for the top spot is more thrilling than ever....

    Andy Molitor Andy Molitor
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Cubs

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 3, Cubs 0 – May 23, 2024

    The vibes are not good. For the 1,000th game in a row, the Chicago Cubs offense failed to do much of anything, wasting yet another (mostly) solid pitching performance from the entire staff. And it's especially a shame, because today...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    May 23, 2024
    Indy 500 Lineup
    News

    Indy 500 Lineup: Starting Order, Pole Based on Qualifying Results

    The Greatest Spectacle in Racing returns this weekend as Indy Car hits the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy 500 lineup welcomes one of NASCAR’s top talents to the mix and is primed for another epic chapter...

    Brian Twining Brian Twining
    May 23, 2024
    Chicago Bulls

    A Door Could Reportedly Open for 76ers to Show Interest in Zach LaVine

    The moment Zach LaVine opted for season-ending foot surgery was the moment the trade market fell silent. What little action there was surrounding the two-time All-Star would be put on silent until at least the offseason. And, well, here we...

    Elias Schuster Elias Schuster
    May 23, 2024
    Picks

    Top Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 on May 23, 2024

    Jayson Tatum and Pascal Siakam are two of the top players with prop bets on the table when the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers play at TD Garden on Thursday (tipping at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Celtics vs....

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    May 23, 2024
    AL MVP 2024 Updated odds MLB Notes
    Chicago Cubs

    MLBits: Yanks to Slash Payroll, Coming Up on the “Worst” Draft Class, Bogaerts, Skenes, More

    Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner is crying broke, the Padres' depth will be tested without Xander Bogaerts for the foreseeable future, and Keith Law has some strong words for the 2024 MLB Draft class in today's MLB Notes. Hal Steinbrenner Says Current...

    Patrick K. Flowers Patrick K. Flowers
    May 23, 2024
    More Posts

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 3, Cubs 0 – May 23, 2024

    Rob Manfred MLB

    Robo Umps, World Baseball Classic Sites, and More MLB Owners Meetings Nuggets

    AL MVP 2024 Updated odds MLB Notes

    MLBits: Yanks to Slash Payroll, Coming Up on the “Worst” Draft Class, Bogaerts, Skenes, More

    Pre-Gamin’: Braves at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    Cubs Farm Report

    Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024: Horton’s Impressive Start Helps Iowa Down Indianapolis

    Steele is Feeling Really Good Overall, Offensive Lull, Pitcher Updates, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Cade Horton Continues to Improve at Triple-A Iowa, and His Latest Start Was His Best

    Kyle Hendricks Takes His Bullpen Demotion Like an Absolute Champ

    At Least Porter Hodge’s Debut Was Incredible

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 9, Cubs 2 – May 22, 2024

    More Posts

    Most Popular

    Most Popular

    Jed Hoyer on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Demotion-But-Not-Really-A-Demotion

    Adbert Alzolay Went for a Second Opinion on His Forearm Injury (UPDATE)

    More on the Kyle Hendricks Bullpen Transition

    NHL Mock Draft Roundup: A New 2-Round Mock To Consider!

    The Cubs’ Bullpen is on Quite a Roll, Leiter and Neris, Davis, Smyly’s Rehab, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Come Back Twice, and Walk It Off on the Braves

    New OL Shuffle, Fields Update, Rodgers Speaks, Taylor Swift and NFL Schedules, and Other Bears Bullets

    Updated Top-50 Rankings Feature Three Cubs Prospects

    Latest News

    Pistons Have Hired Their New Front Office Leader (And It’s Not Marc Eversley)

    Dak Prescott NFL sports betting promos 12.17

    Around the NFL: Dak’s Not About the Dollar, Rookie Sleepers, Leaner Lamar, More

    Caleb Williams Bears

    Bears OTAs: Tough Day for Caleb Williams and the Offense

    Rob Manfred MLB

    Robo Umps, World Baseball Classic Sites, and More MLB Owners Meetings Nuggets

    NFL Futures: Latest 2024 NFC Division Winner Odds and More

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 3, Cubs 0 – May 23, 2024

    Indy 500 Lineup

    Indy 500 Lineup: Starting Order, Pole Based on Qualifying Results

    A Door Could Reportedly Open for 76ers to Show Interest in Zach LaVine

    Top Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 on May 23, 2024

    AL MVP 2024 Updated odds MLB Notes

    MLBits: Yanks to Slash Payroll, Coming Up on the “Worst” Draft Class, Bogaerts, Skenes, More

    Guess Who Zach LaVine Was Spotted With at Bronny James’ Pro Day

    Cubs Farm Report

    Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024: Horton’s Impressive Start Helps Iowa Down Indianapolis

    Hornets 2024 draft picks

    Charlotte Hornets Draft Picks: List of 2024 and Future Draft Selections

    Orioles vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, May 23, 2024

    bears qb Caleb Williams

    Caleb Williams and Co. Head to the Southside, Claypool on His Time with Chicago, and Other Bears Bullets

    More Posts

    Most Popular

    Most Popular

    Jed Hoyer on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Demotion-But-Not-Really-A-Demotion

    Adbert Alzolay Went for a Second Opinion on His Forearm Injury (UPDATE)

    More on the Kyle Hendricks Bullpen Transition

    NHL Mock Draft Roundup: A New 2-Round Mock To Consider!

    The Cubs’ Bullpen is on Quite a Roll, Leiter and Neris, Davis, Smyly’s Rehab, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Come Back Twice, and Walk It Off on the Braves

    New OL Shuffle, Fields Update, Rodgers Speaks, Taylor Swift and NFL Schedules, and Other Bears Bullets

    Updated Top-50 Rankings Feature Three Cubs Prospects

    21 Play Responsibly
    Gamble Aware West Virginia
    Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.