While fans argue about Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell’s proposal to sell the naming rights for Wrigley Field, the people who actually call the ballpark home are monitoring the situation with varying degrees of interest.
Most Cubs asked about the controversy said they understood Zell’s position, though few actually cared whether the name stays or not.
“I’m kind of caught on the fence about it,” Ted Lilly said. “Really, I see both sides, both perspectives. … I wouldn’t think of [a change] in any way as being disrespectful of the Cubs’ tradition. This franchise has a great tradition, and it still will be there. … I imagine if other people were in his position, it would probably make sense for them to do the same thing.”
Scott Eyre agreed that Zell is only doing what any red-blooded capitalist would do in the same situation.
“He’s trying to get all the money he can — he doesn’t care about the name,” Eyre said. “Well, not that he doesn’t care, but it’s like everything else in this world: The almighty dollar rules. I played at San Francisco, and there are still road signs saying ‘Candlestick Park to the right.’ It hasn’t been Candlestick Park in [13] years.”
Some players won’t be there when the change takes place and don’t believe their opinions matter anyway.
“When you think of the Cubs and Chicago, you think of Wrigley Field,” Bob Howry said. “It’s hard to think of playing at it by some other name. It’d be different, but as players, we have no say in the matter. … If they change our names to the Bears or the Sharks, we have no say in that either.”
Matt Murton doesn’t think it’s the players’ business to tell the owner what to do with the ballpark, but he trusts the Cubs will do the right thing.
“Wrigley Field has historical value,” Murton said. “The fans and the city have embraced the team, and part of that is because of Wrigley Field. At the same time, it is a business.
“The ultimate solution would be to find a way to preserve a portion of that name but still be able to find a way to make a little money at the same time. [Maybe] ‘Something at Wrigley Field.’ Somehow you could keep it legit.”
Derrek Lee said it’s up to the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. to pony up the money for the naming rights.
“Obviously there’s a lot of tradition at Wrigley, but they’re getting that [exposure] free, right?” Lee said.
Of course, the Wrigleys owned the park for decades without having to pay anything to rename the original Weeghman Park.
“I’m not attached to ‘Wrigley,'” Lee said. “I’m sure there are fans who are, but it always will be called ‘Wrigley,’ so I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
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psullivan@tribune.com
