Since the Chicago Cubs won it all a decade ago, owner Tom Ricketts has gone from beloved bankroller of the organization's first championship in more than a century to a controversial figure, often criticized for small-market thinking even as his Wrigleyville business empire grows ever larger.
After postseason baseball returned to Wrigley Field last fall for the first time with fans in attendance since 2018, the vibe around Cubs camp is understandably different than it has been in awhile. Even Ricketts acknowledged a different energy - and set of expectations - surrounding the team heading into 2026.