\u201cl admit it\u2019s been a theme of the summer for the fans here,\u201d a smiling Ricketts told the Tribune on Friday. \u201cBut we\u2019ll just pick up that at the end of the season. Kyle\u2019s had a solid season and we\u2019ve had a great year thus far. We\u2019ve got some more guys coming in<\/a> (from the trade deadline) to help us for the rest of the year, and I\u2019m just really excited about the next two months.\u201d<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s festivities at Wrigley Field were a mix of somber and celebratory.<\/p>\n The Cubs were officially awarded the 2027 All-Star Game<\/a> before their 1-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, and throughout the game they honored franchise icon<\/a> and Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who died Monday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Among the many ways the Cubs recognized Sandberg throughout the day: A pregame tribute video of his stellar career played on the video board, followed by 23 seconds of silence in honor of Sandberg\u2019s retired number, while \u201c23\u201d was painted on the field behind home plate.<\/p>\n The Cubs will wear their royal blue road jerseys \u2014 all with No. 23 and no name on the back \u2014 as another tribute to Sandberg<\/a> during Saturday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred formally announced the All-Star Game will come to Wrigley for the fourth time. Of course, that might require the 2027 season not being affected by a work stoppage after the collective bargaining agreement with the players union expires at the end of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Manfred has been meeting with every team this year in an effort to build a bridge between the sides<\/a>. But it hasn\u2019t been a completely smooth process.<\/p>\n Two-time MVP Bryce Harper recently confronted Manfred<\/a> during the Philadelphia Phillies players meeting with the commissioner, reportedly telling Manfred, \u201cYou can get the f\u2013\u2013\u2013 out of our clubhouse,\u201d if owners want to discuss a salary cap.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I don\u2019t talk about those player meetings,\u201d Manfred said Friday in Wrigley\u2019s home dugout. \u201cLet me say this: I think more has been made out of this than needs to be made out of it. Bryce expressed his views. At the end of the meeting we shook hands and went our separate ways. Just not all that significant.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an individual picking a particular way to express himself, and I don\u2019t think you need to make more out of that than that.\u201d<\/p>\n As much as Manfred seemingly has downplayed the possibility of a work stoppage in 2027, baseball fans\u2019 concern, and perhaps even resignation, over that looming possibility is undeniable.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is natural that when you get to the end of a collective bargaining agreement, people who are glass-half-filled people have trepidation about what\u2019s going to happen,\u201d Manfred said. \u201cI\u2019m optimistic that we\u2019ll find a way to make a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s events capped a busy week for the Cubs that started with a pivotal series in Milwaukee<\/a>, before which the team announced a multiyear extension<\/a> for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, who was in the final year of his contract.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thankful to be here for a long time,\u201d Hoyer said Thursday. \u201cObviously I\u2019m really happy to give stability to the staff. You guys always ask me those questions, but I\u2019m not the only person that was wondering about that. So obviously I\u2019m thrilled it got done. I couldn\u2019t imagine a better place to work.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoyer and Ricketts had been discussing an extension three to four weeks before it became official Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cJed\u2019s done a really nice job over the last few years in increasing our overall organizational health,\u201d Ricketts told the Tribune on Friday. \u201cIt\u2019s not just the wins on the field. It\u2019s the quality of our minor-leaguers. It\u2019s the quality of our draft the last handful of years. He and his team are committed to getting better every day, and I just feel confident he\u2019s the right guy to take us forward.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"MLB](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CTC-L-Chicago-Cubs-All-Star-Game-02_231944950.jpg\")
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, left, speaks to Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field before a ceremony announcing the ballpark will host the 2027 All-Star Game. (Eileen T. Meslar\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Cubs](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CTC-L-cubs-guardians-0701-9_230962182.jpg\")
Cubs President Jed Hoyer speaks with reporters before a game against the Guardians on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (Armando L. Sanchez\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n