Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts credited both the baseball side of the organization, led by Theo Epstein, and the business side, led by Crane Kenney, for putting together a plan that resulted in the team's first World Series championship in 108 years. Appearing on "CBS This Morning" live from Progressive Field just hours after the conclusion of Game 7, Ricketts said, "The key is finding good people, letting them do their jobs." He added, "It took a few years, and our fans are very patient, but we go through it" ("CBS This Morning," 11/3). Ricketts last night said, “Give all the credit where it’s deserved. The guys who put together this organization. The guys who played on the field, the manager (Joe Maddon). They all did a great job. All I did was do everything I could to support them and keep the ball moving forward." In Chicago, Mark Gonzalez reports Ricketts last night "reiterated his appreciation" for the fans who stuck with the franchise during a rebuilding process that began with Epstein's arrival in '11 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/3). Also in Chicago, Bruce Miles writes last night's victory over the Indians "validates the rebuilding program set forth" by Epstein, GM Jed Hoyer and Senior VP & Scouting Dir Jason McLeod. It also is a "feather in the cap for the Ricketts family, which completed its purchase of the Cubs" in the fall of '09. Ricketts: "In terms of validation, this is the goal. I think our guys made the right decisions to move forward and actually put a little hardware in our trophy case" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 11/3).
MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jared Diamond writes Epstein's ingenuity, coupled with Ricketts' "deep pockets, helped transform the Cubs from a laughingstock into a juggernaut." By steering the Red Sox and now the Cubs to a championship, Epstein "solidified his place among the greatest baseball executives of all time, almost certainly punching his ticket" to the HOF (WSJ.com, 11/3). In Boston, Evan Drellich writes Epstein's HOF resume has been "burnished, bringing not one but two desperate, major franchises out of title droughts" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/3). FOXSPORTS.com's Dieter Kurtenbach notes Epstein has "now taken the two most suffering franchises in professional sports to long-sought World Series championships." To do it once is an "incredible feat," but to then "take on an even tougher challenge and succeed is astounding" (FOXSPORTS.com, 11/3). In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes Epstein has "punched his ticket to Cooperstown as the man who killed two curses" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/3). In N.Y., Ken Davidoff writes under the header, "Next Stop For Theo Epstein: Cooperstown." No one has "ever witnessed the sports double-whammy that Epstein now has on his résumé." It would have been "unfathomable to anyone, say, 15 years ago that one person could check both of those colossal boxes" (N.Y. POST, 11/3). ESPN's Mike Greenberg: "The only question is what hat he wears to the Hall of Fame" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 11/3). The AP's Ronald Blum writes there is a "good chance baseball’s drought-buster will be flying to Cooperstown one day" (AP, 11/3). CSNCHICAGO.com's Patrick Mooney writes this "already looked like a Hall of Fame resume, no matter what happened in Game 7" (CSNCHICAGO.com, 11/3).
BELIEVING THE UNBELIEVABLE: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes the "baseball miracle of all miracles finally happened" with the Cubs winning the World Series (USATODAY.com, 11/3). In Chicago, Mike Imrem writes the Cubs last night "achieved the impossible." Imrem: "What's next for baseball, the Yankees filing for bankruptcy?" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 11/3). Also in Chicago, Rick Morrissey writes under the header, "Cubs Win The World Series, And Charlie Brown Kicks The Football" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/3). The GLOBE's Shaughnessy: "No more Bartman, Billy Goat, or poison ivy at Wrigley Field. Pigs can fly, there is intelligent life on Mars" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/3). In N.Y., Mike Puma: "Call it what you might: Wile E Coyote catching the Road Runner, pigs flying, apocalypse now” (N.Y. POST, 11/3). In S.F., John Shea: "Our country and culture changed [last] night. They’ll never be the same. The punchline is gone. The curse is lifted” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/3).
AT LONG LAST: In Chicago, David Haugh writes "decades of suffering ended" with the final out last night, “officially marking the greatest moment in Chicago sports history.” Haugh: “The last great American sports story now has an ending, the happiest one ever, pleasing baseball romantics and fulfilling the lives of so many Cubs fans” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/3). MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger said, “It's almost bigger than Chicago that the Cubs won the World Series. People all over this country are captivated by this. … The Cubs are celebrating one of the biggest, most emotional moments for sports fans in the city of Chicago" ("MLB Tonight,” MLB Network, 11/3). In Chicago, John Kass writes, “Chicago needs this, too, needed it desperately.” The city has “seen plenty of bad news and pain, with all the shootings and all the young people dead on the streets.” Kass: “So Chicago welcomes, finally, some pure joy” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/3). A CHICAGO SUN-TIMES editorial: “The Cubs gave Chicago something to cheer about at a time when, let’s face it, our town really needed it” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/3).
I LOVE A PARADE, BUT WHEN? ESPN's Michele Steele notes the Cubs' victory parade "is going to be a big one" and could be the "biggest the city has ever seen for any championship." The city of Chicago wants to hold the parade Monday, though the Cubs' front office is "pushing for tomorrow." That is because the MLB GM meetings "are next week" ("SportsCenter,” ESPN, 11/3).
