First Signing for 2010 Cubs Must Be Owner

The 2009 Cubs were a major disappointment by nearly any measure. They didn’t hit, they didn’t field, even the Cubs vaunted pitching staff faltered. The team sustained major injuries, fought on and off the field, and was generally unlikeable. One of the main causes of this (that is controllable) is the lack of leadership at the top.

Remember back to grade school when a substitute teacher would step in for a day or two – it was mob rule in the classroom. The sub was basically a caretaker, a placeholder until the leader returned and everyone had to fall into line or else. When there is no leader, accountability goes out the window. GM Jim Hendry and manager Lou Piniella can only do so much when lacking the authority and support from above. Yes, Crane Kenney was there in name, but seemingly had no authority to make any bold moves. There was no payroll flexibility, and when a few players stepped way out of line, there was no one at the helm that really could do much about it. The Chicago Cubs were run by what amounts to a substitute teacher last year.

It seems the legal matters have been all but settled, the procedural mishegas has been satisfied, and most of the hurdles have been cleared – finally - the Ricketts family is ready to take the helm of the listless ship moored (beached?) at Clark & Addison.

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