Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts: 'We're Built For Years Of Success'
(CBS) On a day in which his team will unveil its revamped roster and renovated ballpark, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts was buzzing.
Monday marks the home opener for the Cubs, who stand at 5-1 after a strong road trip in Anaheim and Arizona to begin the season. Chicago hosts the Cincinnati on at 7:05 p.m. Twelve hours in advance of first pitch, Ricketts spoke to the Mully and Hanley Show on 670 The Score, the radio home for Cubs baseball.
"Exciting start to the season," Ricketts said. "It should be a fun night."
As chairman, Ricketts oversaw the work of Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein in a roster revamping in recent years. The Cubs are now viewed as a World Series favorite in 2016, with aspirations well beyond this season.
Ricketts stated that this isn't the only year -- there are more to come, too.
"We're still young, we're still getting better and we're built for years of success," Ricketts said.
The Cubs got off to a promising start on the season, which saw the team outscore its opponents 42-15 on the road. Unfortunately, in the process, Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber was lost for the season with a torn ACL and LCL suffered in a collision with Dexter Fowler. Ricketts spoke of his sorrow for Schwarber and pride of the team's uplifting response.
Early Monday morning, the Cubs returned to Wrigley Field for the first time to their new clubhouse, which went from the most cramped home clubhouse in baseball to the second-largest, 30,000 square feet of room, ranking only behind the Yankees' clubhouse.
Ricketts was thrilled to deliver on a vow offered to Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and some of the team's longest-standing veterans like Anthony Rizzo.
"It's really gratifying to pay back on the promise now, even though it's been a few years," Ricketts said.
"The clubhouse is great. I'm sure it's the best in baseball. Everything a player could want."
Fans will enjoy the new look at Wrigley Field as well. The team spent the offseason in Phase 2 of a detailed renovation project to the 102-year-old ballpark, which this season celebrates a century of Cubs baseball.
The Cubs constructed a new facade for Wrigley Field's famed Clark and Addison gates, while ensuring the ballpark's infrastructure. Like William Wrigley nearly a century ago, Ricketts takes pride in building the storied ballpark better and keeping its appearance intact. Now, Wrigley Field will feature a look that resembles the 1935 appearance.
Finally, the Cubs get to reveal their offseason ballpark work to the baseball club and fans in a night long in the making for Ricketts, beginning a season of anticipation in Chicago.
"We're excited," said Ricketts. "We're off to a good start. It should be a really fun summer."
Listen to Ricketts' full interview below.
