If you write an article in a prestigious publication, readers generally give it credence because of the reputation of the publication. A recent short article in the Wall St. Journal shows that even the best newspaper in the country prints dumb things.
The author tries to connect two facts to glean an absurd conclusion.
He states that when the Tribune owned the Cubs, it treated the team as just another entertainment program. It sold the idea of the Cubs as loveable losers, a drama reality show before reality shows, on the national WGN Superstation. As a result, the author claims that Wrigley Field became a sell-out entertainment (party) venue for many people.
He then states when the Ricketts bought the Cubs, they changed the focus of the team from entertainment to a winning baseball operation. As a result, attendance has dropped dramatically over the years.
Anyone true Cub fan knows what has been going on with the team and new ownership.
First, Tom Ricketts only got his Dad to buy into buying the franchise when he remarked that the Cubs sell out whether they win or lose. That observation was placed at the height of the last economic boom when the 20-something city yuppies found out that spending a day in the bleachers was better than North Avenue Beach because Wrigley offered sunshine and beer.
Second, the party crowd left Wrigley when the financial crisis hit. Chicago has not recovered as fast as the rest of nation. Once the causal drinkers left, baseball fans were left to ponder what was happening to their team.
Third, the Ricketts have systematically cut the team payroll, which is not indicative of building a winning team. Fans realized that for the past three years the Cubs have tanked their seasons to get high draft picks. The Cubs traded away veteran quality pitchers for prospects, leaving the organization without many potential major league caliber starters. The Cubs are the midst of a historic season to season losing records.
Fourth, the declining attendance directly reflects two things: the high cost of Cubs tickets and the quality of baseball shown by the home team. Fans have been asked to pay premium prices for minor league caliber performance. It is not that hardcore fans are turned off by the new front office "trying" to build a winning team.
Sixth, there is a growing feeling that the public has grown tired with the excuses, the political snafus and the penny pinching by ownership. The no-shows have increased more than tickets not being sold. Over Ricketts ownership, the Cubs have lost 1/3 of their gate.
Seventh, the tourist fans who come to see the 100 year old ball park, with its manual scoreboard, ivy covered outfield walls, and landmarked vistas will soon be gone when Ricketts puts up seven outfield scoreboards and signs.
The idea that the Cubs are struggling because Ricketts has tacked the organization to try to win is a ridiculous conclusion. The real cause for the anti-Cub effect squarely points to the Ricketts themselves, who overpaid for the franchise, overplanned their real estate developments, are sidetracked by the fact they want to turn Wrigley from baseball field to a multipurpose entertainment complex and clueless on how to run a business in Chicago.
