Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts was asked this morning whether he learned any secret handshakes during his first Major League Baseball owners meeting at the O'Hare Hilton.
"No secret handshake," Ricketts replied with a slight grin.
Either way, Ricketts is in the club.
Ricketts attended this morning's session with commissioner Bud Selig and the other 29 MLB owners, calling it a "learning" experience. The Ricketts' family was introduced to their fellow major-league owners at a dinner Wednesday night and received a standing ovation.
"I think it is the tradition to get a standing ovation," Tom Ricketts said. "Nothing we did."
Ricketts said nothing newsworthy during a very brief session with the media after the two-day meetings ended. He said he's still exploring spring-training sites, and does not appear concerned that the economy will negatively affect the Cubs in 2010.
"I'm not going to make any predictions on the economy," he said. "But I think we're doing OK, as a team."
Selig said he was happy to welcome the Ricketts into the exclusive club. When asked about the difference between family and corporate ownership, Selig lauded Tribune Co. for its years of stewardship, and said he's confident the Ricketts will continue to keep the franchise strong.
"Look, I remember when the Tribune Co bought the Cubs in 1981, and there was a lot of concern," Selig said. "I remember that then-commissioner (Bowie) Kuhn was concerned. Others were concerned. I think it worked out well, I really do. I know some people say 'Well, they didn't win.' Well, OK, but that's another story.
"But the Cubs franchise is certainly a lot different today than it was in 1981. But to have a family like this family...and they're really fans. Tom and I have had a lot of conversations. The family is really into this thing. It's tremendous, it really is. It's one of our great franchises and we really wind up with a wonderful ownership situation. I said (to the owners) today that it was a long journey and had a very happy ending."
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