MLB, Cubs need Cuban’s enthusiasm, mouth
Word that multi-zillionair Mark Cuban has fomally applied to purchase the Chicago Cubs is great news for Major League Baseball. Surely, the game could use his outspokeness that — while occassionally sophomoric, mostly off-the-cuff and often times full of hot air — is nonetheless always entertaining, and always from the heart. While MLB is flourishing from a ticket perspective, off the field, it can use a presence like Cuban to mix things up, especially in a die-hard market like the Windy City. God knows that with George Steinbrenner aging quietly — he’s still alive, right? — Cuban can definitely fill a void currently exisitng in the game. Call it the Charlie O. Finley seat, if you will.
“He’s a character,” says current Chicago Cubs’ manager Lou Piniella. “He’s obviously got the resources. I do know he has a lot of charisma and he likes the competition and he likes to win, so certainly he’s a very viable candidate. There’s going to be a lot of people who want to buy this franchise.”
Two other bids are reportedly in the works for the franchise as well - but none as high-profile as Cuban’s.
Surely, Cuban would be a colorful addition to Wrigley - much like Al Capone and son were, seen here with Cubs’ Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnet
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful franchise in a wonderful city. There’s going to be a lot of demand and a lot of interest. It’s good to see that people like this are interested in buying the Chicago Cubs.”
No kidding. I mean, isn’t the only question remaining here fairly obvious: why would anyone want to own such a sad-sack franchise as the Chicago Cubs? For those keeping score, they are approaching — get ready for it, gang — 100 years without a World Series title. Yes, you read that right. 1908 folks, was the last time the Cubs won the World Series. Sure, they’ve been back seven times since (including losing twice the Detroit Tigers in 1935 and 1945) but, c’mon — 100 flippin’ years?!?! Egad, man!! Talk about a drought!!!
All told, Cuban may reportedly pay up to $1 billion for the Cubs, along with the sale of Wrigley Field and the Tribune’s quarter share of Comcast SportsNet Cable. The founder of HDNet, a DIRECTV all high-definition network launced in September 2001, Cuban also cofounded Broadcast.com, the leading provider of steaming and multimedia on the net. He sold it to Yahoo in July 1999. Prior to that, he cofounded Microsolutions, later selling it to Compuserve. He became owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks in January 2000. The sale is subject to approval of Major League Baseball, including the rubber stamp of Commissioner Bud Selig.
- The Heckler
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Photo used with permission of Early Era Baseball Photos.com