Cubs co-owner calls Mets fans ‘really, really obnoxious’
There were several notable news items to come from this weekend’s Cubs Convention in Chicago.
We learned that Ryne Sandberg will return to the team in an ambassador role this season. We learned the Cubs will be increasing security in and around Wrigley Field. We then confirmed that Cubs fans love having their favorite player’s likeness shaved into their heads. But above all else, we learned that co-owner Todd Ricketts and wife Sylvie really can’t stand Mets’ fans.
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Or maybe we should say, ‘really, really’ can’t stand Mets’ fans.
Not surprisingly, the ill feelings stem from this past season’s NLCS, which New York swept 4-0. However, it is somewhat surprising to learn Ricketts had a better experience dealing with fans in Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Not that those cities are necessarily obnoxious themselves, but because they’re home to Chicago’s toughest NL Central competition and biggest current rivals.
“So in any case, we go to Pittsburgh and we have a great time. The energy level is great. We go to St. Louis and the fans there — they were a little more confident — but still friendly and hospitable.
“And then there was New York.”
That’s where Ricketts leaves it, leaving us to wonder what exactly separated New York’s behavior from the others. Well, aside from the obvious, which would be Mets fans had a field day trash-talking on their way to the World Series. Perhaps that’s even the extent of it.
Regardless, Ricketts was still holding a grudge during the World Series and is apparently still holding a grudge now.
“Obviously, that series ended disappointingly for everyone, but we continued to watch baseball,” Ricketts said, fast forwarding to the World Series and the Mets leading the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning of Game 5.
“My wife and I are sitting in our living room. It’s 10:30 at night. We’re in our pajamas. I don’t know if you guys remember — Matt Harvey refused to come out of the game.
“He did a show on TV. He did his own little drama on TV to show that he was the tough guy and he was going to win this game for the Mets. He went back out on the mound — and I think three batters later the Royals had scored two runs.”
Sheesh, this is pretty serious.
“When Hosmer’s left hand went across home plate,” Ricketts said, “my wife jumped up, pointed at the TV and she said: ‘Screw you, Matt Harvey! Screw you, Mets fans!’
Well, we shouldn’t be too surprised that was the reaction given what we’ve learned here. What is surprising though is that Ricketts was so anxious to share said reaction. I mean, he knows this is getting back to New York, and he has to figure he’ll be accompanying the team there again in the future. Does he really know what obnoxious means, or is he just trying to find out when that trip comes?
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With that said, we don’t really know what Ricketts and his family experienced during that trip, so we don’t know where this is coming from. It’s just surprising to hear it expressed so openly and worded so boldly.
Maybe we’ll learn more in the days and weeks ahead.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
