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Mesa grabs big bats to swing for Cubs
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Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee takes batting practice during spring training on Feb. 23, 2009, in Mesa.
The Associated Press
When the new owners of the Chicago Cubs visit Mesa next week, they are going to be treated to quite a show to demonstrate just how much the community wants the baseball team to stay for spring training.
Mayor Scott Smith and a flock of supporters will hold a special reception and tours of the city for the Ricketts family. Several private landowners will explain their friendly competition for the privilege of hosting a new stadium complex for the most popular team in the Cactus League. Gov. Jan Brewer personally will be on hand. Sen. John McCain will send his endorsement via a video message.
Mesa is sending all of its players onto the field to fend off competing offers from Naples, Fla., and the Gila River Indian Community. A good thing, too. The Cubs and Mesa have 50 years of history together, but the new owners don't have any ties to the East Valley. As Smith points out, tradition and loyalty won't be nearly enough to keep the Cubs in town.
The Rickettses do have connections to Florida and a serious suitor there. What they don't have, yet, is a concrete proposal with guaranteed funding for a spring training facility, according to various media reports.
Mesa has released only a few details of what it's offering. But the willingness of several property owners to stand before the media Wednesday and explain their roles reveals that Smith's effort to build a public-private partnership for a new stadium complex is bearing fruit.
So far, Gila River is staying more low-key, but the tribe also has a serious interest. Despite Smith's protests, that's a good thing, too. Adding Gila River to the competition likely convinced some influential skeptics that Mesa really could lose the Cubs. And Gila River's bid substantially improves the odds of the Cubs remaining in the Cactus League and in the East Valley.
Sure, we want the Cubs to return each spring to Mesa. But no winning team goes into a game with only one pitcher. Gila River's offer could be the relief that the East Valley needs in the late innings.
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