Cubs owners hear Mesa's pitch

The family that took control of the Chicago Cubs came to Mesa on Tuesday as business and political leaders from across the state urged the team to keep its spring training operations here.

The Ricketts family met 100 people at the Red Mountain Ranch Country Club for a perfectly timed presentation that took advantage of an unusually colorful Arizona sunset.

The welcoming delegation included so many key Arizona figures that Gov. Jan Brewer joked a deal could probably be signed on the spot if the owners were willing.

"You will have my support and my full commitment," Brewer said.

The visit comes as the Cubs are reviewing an offer from Florida to build new facilities for the team, and the family has already made a visit to that state. Meanwhile, Arizona leaders are working to keep the most popular team in the Cactus League from leaving with a new spring training facility.

Tom Ricketts said his family's top goal is to see the Cubs win the World Series and the team's notorious drought of title spanning a century. Ricketts has been a lifelong Cubs fan and has pledged to develop the best facilities possible for the players and the fans.

"You can't tell everyone you are a world-class team and not have world-class facilities," Ricketts said.

Mesa's presentation featured a video selling the team on Arizona's scenery, sports venues and resorts where guests were pampered. Political leaders emphasized government and businesses will fight for the Cubs. Even Sen. John McCain spoke in a recording made in Washington, D.C. McCain wished the team a World Series victory and emphasized, with a comically timed cough, how much fans would appreciate that.

"Please stay with us," McCain said.

Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill noted his team has sold out every home game in the last year. Bidwell is also president of the Phoenix Greater Economic Council and said its members see the Cubs as an anchor to Arizona tourism.

"We're really committed to make sure we can address all your issues," Bidwill said.

The Ricketts family was in Arizona for annual Cubs management meetings, and the reception was the first part of the sales pitch they're getting. Today, the family will get a tour of several east Mesa sites along the Loop 202 freeway where several landowners want the Cubs on their properties. Each of the landowners will have 10 minutes with the family.

Mesa officials plan a press conference this afternoon, though it wasn't known if the Ricketts family would attend.

Tom Ricketts said he wouldn't announce any timeline on a decision, except to say he's looking to act "in a very short period of time."