Theo Epstein’s eyeballs rolled like a slow dribbler toward the back of his head Tuesday morning.
The Cubs president’s mouth didn’t know which way to go when he was asked about comments made by Donald Trump about the “rotten job” the Ricketts family is doing with the Cubs.
Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, made the remark while meeting recently with the editorial board of the Washington Post.
“I have no comment on that,” Epstein said with a grin and a sigh. “I think that speaks for itself, as does our season last year and the turnaround of the franchise.”
Epstein wasn’t about to swallow any hooks with that bait on it. He preferred to let his team’s results – and his body language – speak for him.
The Cubs advanced to the National League Championship Series last season and are considered by many this season to be the favorite to win the World Series.
Trump said if elected, he wouldn’t spend any money while president to push his message of dislike of the Ricketts family, which reportedly has $3 million with Our Principles PAC, a company that sent out mailings and ads that opposed Trump.
Trump tweeted earlier this year that the Ricketts family was “secretly spending $’s against me. They better be careful, they have a lot to hide.”
Trump clarified to the Post’s editorial board what he meant: “I actually said they ought to focus on the Chicago Cubs and, you know, stop playing around. They spend millions of dollars fighting me in Florida.
“I’ll start spending on them. I’ll start taking ads telling them all what a rotten job they’re doing with the Chicago Cubs.”
Cubs manager Joe Maddon was equal parts amused and muted, though he added that he has voted and has been very entertained this political season “to the point where I prefer watching FOX and CNN over ESPN any day of the week.”
“Wow, I don’t want to get in a battle with Mr. Trump,” Maddon said. “I have no idea what this is all about. … Maybe Mr. Trump didn’t follow the season last year. I have no idea.”
Twitter @ChiTribSkrbina
