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Hamels hopes to defeat idol Pettitte

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Cole Hamels(notes) grew up watching Andy Pettitte(notes) pitchimportant playoff games and still tries to imitate his icy glare on the mound.

When the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees play Game 3 of the WorldSeries on Saturday night, Hamels will try to beat one of his boyhood heroes.

The young kid vs. the old October pro could be another classic pitchingmatchup.

“Andy Pettitte and Tom Glavine(notes), those were the guys I emulated growing upwhen I was a little kid,” the 25-year-old Hamels said of two fellowleft-handers Friday. “They were always in the playoffs. I always got to watchthem. They always pitched big games and they won.

“Andy Pettitte has been very effective for a long time, and he’s always thekind of guy I’ve looked at and hoped to be one day in his shoes. Now I’m hereand I’m going to be able to face him in the World Series and he’s on the Yankeesagain. So it’s just kind of a big game.”

It’s important for plenty of reasons. The defending champion Phillies splitthe first two games with New York at Yankee Stadium. There’s a chance they’llface Yankees ace CC Sabathia(notes) again in Game 4. That puts more pressure on Hamelsto win Game 3. Pettitte, obviously, is no slouch.

Pettitte has more postseason victories than any pitcher in major leaguehistory. He has four championship rings. The 37-year-old earned his 16thpostseason win in the ALCS clincher against the Los Angeles Angels, breaking atie with John Smoltz(notes). It was his fifth victory to close out a postseason series— another major league record.

Overall, Pettitte was 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA this year. He’s 2-0 with a 2.37ERA in three postseason starts.

Last October, Hamels looked like a young Pettitte. He went 4-0 with a 1.80ERA in five postseason starts, helping the Phillies win the second World Seriestitle in franchise history. Hamels earned MVP honors in the NLCS and the WorldSeries. Those awards and his dominant performance raised expectations.

The tall, slender Hamels never was shy about discussing his lofty goals. Histo-do list includes winning Cy Young Awards, starting All-Star games andpitching no-hitters. Hamels didn’t check any of those off this season.

Instead, he struggled from the start. A minor elbow injury slowed him downin spring training and he wasn’t ready to go on Opening Day. Hamels then raninto some bad luck in April when he was forced to leave early in two straightstarts because of freak injuries.

Hamels finished 10-11 with a 4.32 ERA, numbers that resemble a journeymanpitcher; not someone who hopes to end up in Cooperstown. He hasn’t come close toduplicating his postseason success this year, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in threestarts.

“I think that some of it was I wasn’t able to locate as well earlier in theseason,” Hamels said. “Then it’s the mental burden which can kind of wear youdown week after week of not being able to go out there and do what you’reexpecting yourself to do. And then what everybody else expects you to do, too.So it’s been a growing process.”

Outsiders look at Hamels and think he’s pitching hurt. After all, he’s tootalented to struggle, right? But he’s not injured. Hamels wouldn’t hesitate topull himself from a game for health reasons. His problems are more mental andsystematic. Hamels breezed through his first three seasons, relying on a sharpfastball and an outstanding changeup. Hitters have figured that out. Pitchingcoach Rich Dubee stressed to Hamels the importance of throwing a curveball. He’sworked it into his repertoire, and his success often depends on how well he’sthrowing the hook.

“You need to be able to throw quite a few pitches in the big leagues,”Hamels said. “I know I can throw my fastball and changeup for strikes any dayof the week. But being able to throw a curveball and mixing that in changes theeye level, and with that, it’s a different speed than my other two pitches.”

Recently, Hamels has looked visibly frustrated when things don’t go right.In Game 1 of the NLCS at Los Angeles, Hamels showed up teammates Jimmy Rollins(notes)and Chase Utley(notes) when they failed to turn what should have been an inning-endingdouble play.

Perhaps Hamels could take a page from Pettitte, who doesn’t let anythingbother him. Pettitte pulls his cap low over his eyes, blocks everything out andhas tunnel vision with the catcher.

“I just wanted to try to simplify it as much as I can and just see the mittand try to see my ball going to where I want it, almost visualizing the pitchesbefore I throw them and stuff like that,” Pettitte said.

Mariners complete 2010 coaching staff

SEATTLE (AP)—The Seattle Mariners have hired Mike Brumley as their new thirdbase coach, completing the team’s 2010 staff. He replaces Bruce Hines.

General manager Jack Zduriencik announced the hiring of the former bigleague utility player on Friday.

The 45-year-old Brumley spent the 2009 season overseeing all aspects ofinstruction in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system.

Brumley joins six returning coaches: bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitchingcoach Rick Adair, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, first base coach Lee Tinsley,bullpen coach John Wetteland and performance coach Steve Hecht.

The Mariners were 85-77 in 2009.

Giants sign 2B Sanchez for 2 years, $12M

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Freddy Sanchez(notes) wanted a chance to make a better impressionon the San Francisco Giants.

That’s why the three-time All-Star infielder was quick to sign a $12million, two-year contract extension with the Giants on Friday.

“I’m glad I got it done early enough in the offseason so now my focus is ongetting stronger and getting better,” Sanchez said. “I feel like I have a lotof unfinished business on the field. A lot was riding on me going out there andplaying every day … and it hurt not being out there.”

The Giants held an $8.1 million option for 2010 for Sanchez, who wasacquired from Pittsburgh on July 29 in exchange for a minor league pitcher. Hewill make $6 million in each year of the deal.

Sanchez hit .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 111 games for the twoteams this season but played in just 25 games with San Francisco due to anagging shoulder strain that landed him on the disabled list. He also hadsurgery earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

The Giants, who were in contention for the NL wild-card spot until the lastweek of the regular season, are convinced Sanchez’s health issues are over.

“One of our goals and priorities this season is to get a more consistentlineup out there on a daily basis, and Freddy does that,” manager Bruce Bochysaid during a conference call. “His history is that he plays every day. To havehim at the top of your order pretty much every day is going to do a lot for thislineup.”

Sanchez is expected to bat second for the Giants, though Bochy said he willoccasionally use Sanchez in the third slot.

Wherever he bats, Sanchez understands the importance of getting his offenseback on track. He hit just one home run after being traded to the Giants whilehis on-base and slugging percentages both dipped significantly.

“I know I didn’t do what I wanted to do when I came here,” Sanchez said.“After my knee and shoulder acted up, I didn’t drive the ball like I expectmyself to but I’m not going to pin it on injuries. I know it’s going to comeback next year when the season gets going.”

Signing Sanchez was the first player move made this offseason by the Giants,who signed Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean to extensions on Oct. 13.

Sabean said the Giants have had discussions with some of their own freeagents, such as catcher Bengie Molina(notes) and shortstop Juan Uribe(notes). Molina is a fanfavorite who hit 20 home runs this past season but turns 35 next July, whileUribe provided San Francisco a much-needed boost to their lineup late in theyear, batting .347 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in September.

Sabean didn’t comment on Molina but believes Uribe will listen to offersfrom other teams.

“I get the sense that he’s probably going to test the market first,”Sabean said.

The Giants are also facing a potentially complicated and expensivearbitration process with ace Tim Lincecum(notes), the 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner whowent 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 225 1-3 innings this year.

Giants sign 2B Sanchez for $12M, 2 years

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Freddy Sanchez(notes) wanted a chance to make a better impressionon the San Francisco Giants.

That’s why the three-time All-Star infielder was quick to sign a $12million, two-year contract extension with the Giants on Friday.

“I’m glad I got it done early enough in the offseason so now my focus is ongetting stronger and getting better,” Sanchez said. “I feel like I have a lotof unfinished business on the field. A lot was riding on me going out there andplaying every day … and it hurt not being out there.”

The Giants held an $8.1 million option for 2010 for Sanchez, who wasacquired from Pittsburgh on July 29 in exchange for a minor league pitcher. Hewill make $6 million in each year of the deal.

Sanchez hit .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 111 games for the twoteams this season but played in just 25 games with San Francisco due to anagging shoulder strain that landed him on the disabled list. He also hadsurgery earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

The Giants, who were in contention for the NL wild-card spot until the lastweek of the regular season, are convinced Sanchez’s health issues are over.

“One of our goals and priorities this season is to get a more consistentlineup out there on a daily basis, and Freddy does that,” manager Bruce Bochysaid during a conference call. “His history is that he plays every day. To havehim at the top of your order pretty much every day is going to do a lot for thislineup.”

Sanchez is expected to bat second for the Giants, though Bochy said he willoccasionally use Sanchez in the third slot.

Wherever he bats, Sanchez understands the importance of getting his offenseback on track. He hit just one home run after being traded to the Giants whilehis on-base and slugging percentages both dipped significantly.

“I know I didn’t do what I wanted to do when I came here,” Sanchez said.“After my knee and shoulder acted up, I didn’t drive the ball like I expectmyself to but I’m not going to pin it on injuries. I know it’s going to comeback next year when the season gets going.”

Signing Sanchez was the first player move made this offseason by the Giants,who signed Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean to extensions on Oct. 13.

Sabean said the Giants have had discussions with some of their own freeagents, such as catcher Bengie Molina(notes) and shortstop Juan Uribe(notes). Molina is a fanfavorite who hit 20 home runs this past season but turns 35 next July, whileUribe provided San Francisco a much-needed boost to their lineup late in theyear, batting .347 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in September.

Sabean didn’t comment on Molina but believes Uribe will listen to offersfrom other teams.

“I get the sense that he’s probably going to test the market first,”Sabean said.

The Giants are also facing a potentially complicated and expensivearbitration process with ace Tim Lincecum(notes), the 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner whowent 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts and 225 1-3 innings this year.

Bats look to break out as Series shifts

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Derek Jeter(notes) almost seems to delight in the way thisWorld Series is playing out.

Forget all those power hitters. Pitching is priceless.

“I told you,” he said with a smile.

Without any offense from Alex Rodriguez(notes), Jeter and the New York Yankeestotaled four runs in the first two games and still eked out a split at home.Now, the Series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Saturday night, with ColeHamels(notes) set to start for the Phillies against fellow lefty Andy Pettitte(notes).

Three wins from a second consecutive championship, Philadelphia could wrapit up at home. Chase Utley(notes), Jimmy Rollins(notes) and crew can’t wait to play beforetheir fervent fans in the second-ever World Series game on Halloween.

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Oct 26, 6:46 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies reliever… AP – Oct 26, 6:45 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies second b… AP – Oct 26, 6:42 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies starter … AP – Oct 26, 6:31 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies manager … AP – Oct 26, 6:30 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies pitcher … AP – Oct 26, 6:25 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies outfield… AP – Oct 26, 6:20 pm EDT Philadelphia Phillies first ba… AP – Oct 26, 6:18 pm EDT FILE – In this April 16, 2009 … AP – Oct 26, 4:43 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 96; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = 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“We’re back in our own ballpark. It’s going to be hostile. It’s going to beloud,” Shane Victorino(notes) said.

Nothing new, according to the Yankees.

“Because of the team we are, we get booed and yelled at everywhere we go,”Johnny Damon(notes) said. “Even coming off the train.”

Citizens Bank Park is approximately 108 miles from Yankee Stadium, with allthose New Jersey Turnpike tolls in between. Both teams zipped down on the trainin a little more than an hour—the Phillies after their 3-1 loss Thursdaynight, the Yankees on Friday afternoon.

During batting practice, as one slugger after another sent balls ricochetingaround Philadelphia’s cozy ballpark, it was hard to fathom how Cliff Lee(notes) andA.J. Burnett(notes) looked so dominant on the mound the previous two nights.

“I can’t say enough about our advanced scouting and our reports. They’reright on,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Sooner or later, though, some of these big bats are bound to break loose.

Mark Teixeira’s(notes) only hit in seven at-bats is a solo homer. Phillies bopperRyan Howard(notes) is hitting .222 with six strikeouts. A monster in the playoffs,Rodriguez is 0 for 8 in his first World Series, also with six strikeouts.

“I feel pretty good. I mean, it’s only been eight at-bats, but I felt likeI’ve had a lot of good swings,” he said. “I fouled a couple of pitches offthat I should have put in play.”

A-Rod was mostly an October bust before this year, but Jeter insisted he’snot worried.

“No, the guy’s been killing the ball for three weeks,” Jeter said. “It’skind of hard to sit here and overanalyze things. If pitchers make their pitches,they’re going to get you out.”

Damon said the rest of the Yankees need to pick up the slack for Rodriguez.But with offense at a premium, they’ll be missing a dangerous bat during thenext three games.

Because World Series rules do not allow a designated hitter in the NationalLeague park, New York must decide whether to put Hideki Matsui(notes) in the outfieldor on the bench.

“As productive as he’s been for us this year, you don’t want to lose hisbat,” manager Joe Girardi said.

Matsui hit a go-ahead homer off Pedro Martinez(notes) in Game 2 and it might seemtempting to start him in right field in place of slumping Nick Swisher(notes). Slowedby knee surgeries, however, Matsui hasn’t played the outfield since June 15,2008, at Houston. He appeared in right field only three times that year, all inApril.

Matsui was stationed in right during batting practice and jogged after a fewfungos, but it was hardly an intense workout.

“I don’t see any major issues,” he said through a translator. “At thispoint, the way I feel, I think it should be fine. I mean, again, you really haveto try and then see how it feels.”

Speaking before his team took the field, Girardi didn’t disclose his plans.

“I’m going to look at some things today, watch a little bit, see how hemoves around and see if we think that it’s physically possible for him to doit,” he said. “If we can’t do it, we’ll use him in a role to pinch hit when wefeel that he can be most valuable to us. It might be a situation where you mightthink about a double switch at high time, but you don’t want to lose his bat.”

Manuel, who acknowledged that several Phillies are fighting flu symptoms,did announce a decision. He picked Joe Blanton(notes) to start Game 4 rather than Leeon short rest or rookie J.A. Happ(notes), who will stay in the bullpen.

Lee tossed a six-hitter with 10 strikeouts and no walks for a 6-1 victory inthe opener at Yankee Stadium, improving to 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA in four startsthis postseason. But he’s never pitched on three days’ rest.

First, the Phillies turn to Hamels, last year’s World Series MVP againstTampa Bay.

A sure thing last October, the 25-year-old Hamels has struggled this season.He went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three NL playoff starts.

“It’s been a growing process,” Hamels said. “It’s just coming back anddelivering, and I still have an opportunity to help this team out and win somebig games.”

Saturday will be a big one, indeed. Nine of the last 10 teams to win Game 3when the World Series was tied 1-all went on to take the title.

Hamels said that when he was growing up he emulated Pettitte, who set amajor league record with his 16th postseason win when he beat the Los AngelesAngels to clinch the AL championship series.

The 37-year-old Pettitte is 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA this postseason and 3-4 witha 3.82 ERA in 11 World Series starts.

“He doesn’t seem fazed by anything,” Jeter said. “He’s pitched in everykind of big game you can think of.”

Indeed, Pettitte sounded perfectly relaxed one day before his outing,detailing how upset his daughter is that he won’t be home for Halloween.

“My wife is flying up here to be with me, but my kids, they want to be homefor Halloween and go around trick-or-treating and do the things that theynormally do,” he said. “I’m not going to mess with that with them if that’swhat they want to do.”

The Yankees, of course, had some World Series luck on Halloween in 2001,when Jeter’s 10th-inning homer capped a Game 4 comeback against Arizona.

“I remember that,” Pettitte said. “That was special.”

World Series TV ratings up big from 2008

NEW YORK (AP)—Television ratings for the World Series are rebounding fromlast year’s record lows.

The Yankees’ 3-1 win over the Phillies on Thursday night on Fox earned an11.7 fast national rating and 19 share. That’s up 44 percent from the 8.1/13 forlast year’s Phillies-Rays Game 2.

The network said on Friday it’s the highest-rated Game 2 since the RedSox-Cardinals in 2004.

Ratings represent the percentage of all households with televisions tunedinto a program and shares represent the percentage of all homes with TVs in useat the time.

Giants sign 2B Sanchez to 2-year deal

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Freddy Sanchez(notes) has signed a two-year contract extensionwith the San Francisco Giants.

Terms of the deal were not announced Friday but the Giants held an $8.1million option for 2010 for the three-time All-Star second baseman. Sanchez wasacquired from Pittsburgh on July 29 in exchange for a minor league pitcher.

He hit .293 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs in 111 games for the two teamsthis season.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said in a statement, “Sanchez providesa steady veteran presence and professional approach.”

Sanchez played in 25 games with the Giants. He spent time on the disabledlist with a strained left shoulder and had surgery earlier this month to repaira torn meniscus in his left knee.

Jays manager Gaston inks consulting deal

TORONTO (AP)—Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has signed a four-year consultingcontract with the team that will begin when his managerial deal expires at theend of the 2010 season.

The Blue Jays announced the deal Friday. Gaston is expected to advise theteam in all areas, including spring training, minor league operations andscouting.

The 65-year-old Gaston and his staff drew criticism from Toronto players inthe final weekend of the season for the way they were being treated.

Also, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is leaving the Blue Jays to take the samejob with the Houston Astros. He will be replaced by former bullpen coach BruceWalton. Hitting coach Gene Tenace is retiring. Former first base coach DwayneMurphy will assume Tenance’s role.

Blanton to start Game 4 for Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Joe Blanton(notes) was picked to start Game 4 of the World Seriesfor the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Manager Charlie Manuel said Friday he will go with Blanton against the NewYork Yankees rather than ace Cliff Lee(notes) on short rest. Lee, who has never pitchedon three days’ rest, is slated to start Game 5.

“I don’t think he’s ready for it on three days’ rest,” Manuel said. “Ithink you’re taking a chance on really pushing him.”

The World Series was tied 1-all as it shifted to Philadelphia for Game 3 onSaturday night. Manuel said if the Series goes seven games, Lee could beavailable for the finale.

“That would be on his bullpen day, and he might be able to pitch,” themanager said.

Manuel also could have turned to left-hander J.A. Happ(notes) in Game 4, but therookie will stay in the bullpen.

“I think Blanton fits for us because I think we want to keep Happ right nowin the bullpen, especially kind of in the middle where he could do someinnings,” Manuel said. “And also, Joe pitched last year in the World Series,and he’s got a little bit more experience.”

Blanton started Game 4 against Tampa Bay last year and combined with fourrelievers on a five-hitter in a 10-2 win that gave the Phillies a 3-1 Serieslead. Blanton homered off Edwin Jackson(notes) in that one, the first Series home runby a pitcher since Oakland’s Ken Holtzman in 1974.

Blanton was 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA this season. He got a no-decision in hisonly postseason start, allowing three earned runs over six innings in Game 4 ofthe NL championship series against the Dodgers. He made two relief appearancesagainst Colorado in the first round.

The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in four career starts against theYankees. He has allowed 22 hits, including five homers, and 12 walks in 22innings.

Eric Hinske(notes), 4 for 18 (.222) with two doubles and two homers againstBlanton, could play right field for New York in Game 4 over slumping NickSwisher(notes) (1 for 3 against Blanton).

Mark Teixeira(notes) is 9 for 27 with three homers off Blanton, and Alex Rodriguez(notes)is 4 for 7 with two homers.

Ricketts promises Cubs fans Series title

CHICAGO (AP)—The new owner of the Chicago Cubs knows what fans want to hearand he didn’t wait long to deliver.

Tom Ricketts was only a few moments into his first news conference as ownerof the storied franchise Friday when he said the Cubs will win the World Seriesand end an infamous drought that dates to 1908.

When, who knows? How? Well, Ricketts said, there is no “magic bullet” butconsistent talent will get the Cubs to the top.

Ricketts said there are plans to improve Wrigley Field but also preserve thefeel of the venerable ballpark on Chicago’s North Side.

The family of billionaire Joe Ricketts, the founder of Omaha, Neb.-based TDAmeritrade, this week closed a deal to buy a 95 percent controlling interest inthe Cubs, the ballpark and 25 percent of Comcast Sportsnet, which broadcasts anumber of Cubs game. The Tribune Co. retains a 5 percent stake.

The price tag was $845 million.

“It is a dream situation, a dream job. It’s the best franchise in sports,”Ricketts said earlier this week in an interview with The Associated Press.

“And I don’t know any fans who wouldn’t want to end up in the situationwe’re in today. The good news is that even though it’s a dream job, it’s still abusiness. It’s a great team, but the challenges of managing business will besimilar to the challenges of managing other businesses.”

Tom Ricketts was a market maker at the Chicago Board Options Exchange and afinance executive before starting investment bank Incapital LLC in 1999. He willserve as chairman of the board, one that will include brothers Pete and Todd andsister Laura, who joined him Friday.

Business principles will apply to baseball, Tom Ricketts said.

“You got to watch your expenses, you got to be careful with your payroll,you’ve got to look for ways to improve, improve your relationship with the fansand to keep growing the business,” he said. “I think those are challenges thatwe’re all ready for.”

He said his management style will be to hire qualified people, let them dotheir jobs and yet hold them accountable.

“You’re not going to see me or anyone else in this family calling thedugout during the game,” he said.

General manager Jim Hendry, criticized for offseason moves after the Cubsfailed to make the playoffs for the first time in three years, has earned thechance to lead the team into next season, Ricketts said. Hendry has a contractthrough 2012.

“Everyone was disappointed with the performance of the team in 2009.Expectations were very high and they weren’t met,” Ricketts said. “In the bigpicture, Jim has taken us to the playoffs three times in the past seven yearsafter a team that only went three times in the previous 57 years. So I think hehas a track record that affords giving him the chance to take us into nextseason.”

Ricketts said he also wants manager Lou Piniella to return for the 2010season, which would be the final year of his four-year contract.

“I’m not going to speculate about 2011,” Ricketts added. “I think we’lljust take it one year at a time.”

The Cubs had a payroll of approximately $135 million this past season andRicketts said he anticipates it increasing slightly this year. He wouldn’tcomment on the future of mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley(notes), who was suspendedby Hendry for the final two weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to theteam after he criticized the atmosphere surrounding the Cubs.

Bradley, who struggled mightily in his first season in Chicago, still hastwo years left on his contract for $21 million.

“It’s Jim’s decision, it’s his responsibility to put the best team on thefield next year and that will be his decision on what to do with all theplayers,” Ricketts said.

He also confirmed that Crane Kenney, who was the team’s chairman underTribune’s ownership, will stay on as team president and be responsible for thebusiness of the team.

Tribune announced on Opening Day in 2007 that the Cubs and Wrigley Fieldwould be sold at the end of that season. But the process was slowed by therecession and Tribune’s 2008 bankruptcy filing. At one point, a second bidderemerged late, fueling speculation that the Ricketts family would not be the newowners.

Ricketts said he never negotiated directly with Tribune CEO Sam Zell.

“Just with people from his organization and they were fine. They are hardbargainers, I suppose, but it was just a complicated negotiation,” he said.

Did Ricketts ever have second thoughts?

“I would say it was a little more difficult than we imagined and certainlythe environment that existed when the transaction began was not the environmentthat we had when the transaction closed,” he said. “It was a very volatilecapital market that also led to months of delay as we worked through the issueswe had with the financial side of the transaction.”

Ricketts called the work ahead “daunting,” particularly the work onWrigley.

One option is to build a building next to the stadium with more food choicesand chances to learn about team’s history. Improving the clubhouses is alsopossible, and he wants to immediately improve things like the restrooms andconcourse congestion.

In the long term, Ricketts said the family is exploring several options andwill try to make an improvement each year at Wrigley, which opened in 1914 andis the second oldest park in the majors. He said that plan will last about fiveor seven years.

Any changes, Ricketts said, will not tread on the atmosphere that makesWrigley Field unique. He knows that from being a fan himself, and he met hiswife at a Cubs game long ago.

“We can’t mess with that special feeling,” Ricketts said.

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