Cubs President Tom Ricketts apologizes for distraction in his father's e-mails

MESA, Arizona – Chicago Cubs President Tom Ricketts apologized to players and coaching staff during Monday's spring training for any distraction caused by racist e-mails written by his father.

"The e-mails that were there were unacceptable and had no place. My father has no direct role or economic interest in the team. That's not what this organization is, "said Tom Ricketts after addressing the team. "I also said," Look, I'm sorry for the distraction it has been creating these past two days. We need to focus on baseball. We must return to our ways of winning. We must start quickly. The last thing the organization needs is more distractions off the field. "

Joe Ricketts' e-mails were published by Splinter News and included Islamophobic comments, such as "Islam is a religion and not a religion". Other e-mails were about plots about the birthplace and education of former President Barack Obama.

Tom Ricketts said he was surprised by the emails because "our family has never been raised this way. I never heard my father say anything that was even racist. It's just not our family values. "

Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade, is excused. Tom Ricketts said in a statement that his father's e-mails did not reflect the values ​​of the Cubs.

"The fact is that he acknowledged that it was unsuitable emails and expressed his regret." He apologized. These are not the values ​​that my family grew up with, "said Ricketts. "His statements, both, are good and fair. He recognizes that such statements cause pain. But I like it. That's my father. That's a great man. He did incredible things. He has helped children around the world through his charities. "

Tom Ricketts insisted that he could not do anything for e-mails now, but that he could use this situation as an opportunity to take concrete action.

The Cubs and the Council Office on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago announced that Tom Ricketts had met with leaders of several Muslim groups in order, according to the team, to take "concrete, meaningful and visible steps to fight against Islamophobia, bigotry and racism. "

"We will follow all that. The fact is that it's just a little cool. We want to make sure we do things correctly. We will ensure that our actions reflect what we are saying, "said Ricketts.

Ricketts described the decision to disclose emails as unfortunate.

"I'm not sure what anyone will get out of it," he said.

In his annual spring speech on the Cubs, Ricketts said the shortstop Addison Russell "did well" when he publicly discussed the behavior that led to a 40-game suspension under the policy. domestic violence of baseball. Russell has missed the last 11 games of the regular season, in addition to a loss to Colorado in the playoffs.

Although Russell generally dealt with the allegations of his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy, he did not detail the actions that led to the discipline.

"From the beginning, we contacted Melisa and tried to think," What is the best possible answer for everyone involved? Ricketts said. "We all hope that it will be an experience from which he will learn lessons and that he will never be in the same situation again."

Janie McCauley is an associate editor of Press.