Tom Ricketts: Concerts At Wrigley Field Will Continue
(CBS) Cubs manager Joe Maddon created a mini-stir recently when he blamed an AC/DC concert at Wrigley Field for creating bad turf conditions after an untrue hop led to an error on infielder Starlin Castro. While Maddon made the comment in jest, it wasn't initially taken that way by all, leading to talk of what's best for the baseball team and respected Tribune baseball writer Paul Sullivan to write a column calling for the end of concerts in the baseball stadium.
Maddon clarified his comment a day later, saying he was joking and that he's cool with concerts at Wrigley Field. In an interview on the Mully and Hanley Show on Monday morning, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts admitted he gave Maddon some flak for his comment and made clear that concerts will continue to be showcase events at Wrigley Field every summer.
"I was talking to Joe this weekend," Ricketts said, "and I was like, 'Hey man, don't be down on my favorite band from high school man. That's not cool.'
"Joe was just kind of joking around. The fact is, when we do the concerts, we keep everybody off the infield. And so it shouldn't affect the play at any point."
The concerts create revenue that goes back to the baseball operation, Ricketts said.
"The concerts are revenue, and that revenue does go back to the organization, and that money gets spent, ultimately, on players," Ricketts said. "They're good for the organization, and on top of that, they're just magical. Concerts are Wrigley are special. The performers love it and obviously all the people love it. It's a great way to show the park and great way to give people a good time.
"So we're going to keep doing concerts, and we'll be extra careful to make sure there's nothing that ever affects the field of play."
The Cubs had four concerts at Wrigley Field this season, with Billy Joel, the Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band and AC/DC all playing there.