The Cubs on Saturday "announced the addition of a patio in the right-field bleacher section at Wrigley Field, which will be ready for the 2012 season and create a rooftop-like atmosphere," according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. The Budweiser Patio "will include a 75-foot LED sign installed above the right-field wall with the capability to display game information, such as pitch count, photos of players and statistics." It will "not have video replay because of the size." The new right-field configuration "can handle a group of 150 people, or three groups of 50 each, or may be sold on an individual basis." Each section of 50 tickets "will include both seated and standing-room-only tickets, and an all-inclusive food and beverage package." Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said that fans "have asked for more statistics and in-game information, and the new LED board will provide that." The Cubs also announced Saturday that they "will experiment with dynamic pricing on bleacher seats." Kenney said more than 90% of Cubs season-ticket holders renewed for '12 (MLB.com, 1/14). In Chicago, Gordon Wittenmyer noted the patio deck "should be the most dramatic aesthetic change to the ballpark's interior in years." Kenney said, "What we’re finding is that people want to be able to circulate. Certainly, you see it on the rooftops. Places where you can bring clients, move around in the space, and not just be fixed" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/15). Kenney also said that the Cubs "remain committed to renovating Wrigley Field rather than building a new ballpark." Kenney: "We're here for good" (AP, 1/14).
RIGHTING THE SHIP: Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein Saturday at the 27th annual Cubs Convention said his team "might just have the ability to really surprise some people, do some damage in the National League Central." But the AP's Andrew Seligman noted the Cubs are "undergoing a major overhaul, and a quick turnaround appears unlikely." There is a "big sense of optimism surrounding the Cubs as they try to break a championship drought that dates to 1908." They see a "roster getting overhauled," and they "see reason to have hope, and right there with them are the owners, the Ricketts family" (AP, 1/14). Epstein said, "We’re trying to change the direction and it’s not easy. It’s like turning around an ocean liner at sea. It happens little by little, and slowly but surely you start to actually see the change." But in Illinois, Barry Rozner wrote what Epstein "must remember as he tries to convey his message is that Cubs fans are all too familiar with the ocean liner making that long turn," and they "also know from their experience that it usually tips over" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 1/15). In Chicago, Joe Cowley wrote Epstein "is the star," and "the face" of the Cubs. And considering the "power he wields, he’s the reason Cubs fans have any sort of hope." Epstein said of the hype surrounding his arrival in Chicago, "I think it will die down. The players are the show. That's why we're all in this profession." He added, "The big part of our winter -- the big part of the next few years -- is just going to be scratching and clawing, trying to figure out any way we can to acquire assets.’’ Cowley noted collecting assets "means the fan base will have to keep being patient." Considering the "ovation Epstein received Friday, Cubs fans can accept that" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/15).
UNCONVENTIONAL STAR: The SUN-TIMES' Wittenmyer noted for the "first time in years, the players were virtually afterthoughts during the longest, busiest day of the annual Cubs Convention." This time around, "all the passion was saved" for Epstein, "by far the star of Saturday’s heavy schedule of events." Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts said of Epstein's effect on the fans, "Obviously, there’s a lot of excitement and a lot of optimism. People are excited about the direction on the baseball side. That’s probably helped us with season-ticket renewals, which was very, very, very high. People want to be part of this new team, which should be heading in the right direction" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/15). In Illinois, Bruce Miles writes, "If I were to rate the rock stars, using guitars for the weekend, it would go like this: Epstein: 4 guitars. [Cubs P] Kerry Wood: 3 1/2 guitars. ... Ricketts: 3 guitars" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 1/16). In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano "received the most boos of any player introduced at the Cubs Convention, apparently because he represents the old culture the Cubs are hoping to change" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/16).
SUPPORTING THE FRONT OFFICE: ESPN CHICAGO's Bruce Levine noted Ricketts said Saturday that he would "continue to be supportive of his front office if they thought moving a veteran player would be best for the team's future." Ricketts said, "First of all, it's really up to the baseball guys to decide who fits on the team. If there is a player they think doesn't fit and they think it's better for the team to move him, then I'll support it 100 percent, even if that means eating some salary" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 1/14).
