Fresh off their NL Championship season in 1935, the Cubs are at Catalina Island for spring training. This is a great clip showing the basics of baseball and some great video of the 1936 Cubs.

New Tribune Co. owner Sam Zell has been out and about this week trying to make friends with the great people of Chicago and all fans of the Cubs.

Poor Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion), bought an “investment” and now would like to make money on that “investment.” Sounds pretty beign correct? The only problem is part of the “investment” includes one of the most storied franchises in sports - the Chicago Cubs and their place of business Wrigley Field.

Poor Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion), seems like a decent guy. He spoke to CNBC earlier this week about the Cubs and selling the naming rights to Wrigley Field.

“Excuse me for being sarcastic, but the idea of a debate occurring over what I should do with my asset leaves me somewhat questioning the integrity of the debate. . . . There’s a lot of people who would like to buy the Cubs and would like to buy the Cubs under their terms and conditions and, unfortunately, have to deal with me.”

Click to watch Video of Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion on CNBC)

Ok Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion), you’re a deal man, a Donald Trump with less hair. Let’s make a deal.

Let’s get everyone together on this - Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion), William Wrigley, Jr. and William Perez, CEO Wrigley Company and the Fans. I am also appointing outside observers Dutchie Cary and Chip Caray.

Here is how this is going to work.

Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion) you agree to sell the naming rights to Wrigley Field to Mr. Wrigley and Mr. Perez and the Wrigley Co. These rights are lifetime rights. You buy Wrigley Field, you get Wrigley Field. Done.

Mr. Wrigley and Mr. Perez you agree to pay one day of sales to Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion) for the naming rights.

The fans, as usual you get the hard work. On the Cubs opening day, March 31, 2008, all Chicago residents and Cubs fans are requested to purchase one pack of Wrigley’s gum.

Total sales of gum for that day are “paid” to Sam Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion) for the naming rights. Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion), you then donate that amount to Ron Santo’s Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Mr. Wrigley and Mr. Perez you transfer the naming rights to an outside holder - Dutchie Caray.

Everybody wins.

Mr. Zell (Net worth $4.5 billion) you help out a great charity, get a huge tax write off and endear yourself to the city of Chicago.

Mr. Wrigley and Mr. Perez your company name is still attached to one of best known buildings in the US.

The fans you get to keep Wrigley Field as Wrigley Field and you get a tasty pack of Wrigley’s gum.

Let’s get this plan rolling. Pass this along to all parties. All I could find was their marketing contacts, but they should be able to forward your emails to the correct parties.

Tribune Company:
Gary Weitman
gweitman@tribune.com

Wrigley Company
Jennifer Jackson-Luth
Manager, Marketing Communications
jennifer.jacksonluth@wrigley.com

More seats and more signs. Today the Cubs received permission from the City of Chicago to add 70 bullpen box seats along the third base line and install additional signage inside the park.

Cubs vice president Mike Lufrano says in addition to the seats, the club will be extending digital signage on the sides of the grandstand.

Now if only they could sell those seats in late October and November.

The Cubs burned the Padres this morning have agreed in principal with Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, to a four-year, $48 million deal. Pronounced “koh-skay foo-koo-DOUGH-may”, Kosuke was a first round draft pick of the Chunichi Dragons in 1999. Last year he was named Central League MVP, hitting .351 with 31 homers and 104 RBI.