Now we're getting somewhere: Cubs sold

The Tribune Co.'s sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family should be cause for celebration by Cubs fans worldwide. It's time to make progress on two major obstacles possibly keeping the Cubs from winning a World Series: Wrigley Field's night-game limit and its cramped, overcrowded, antiquated main grandstand.

Wrigley Field is a geyser of cash that comes up short. Limiting the Cubs' home schedule to just 30 night games is no way to bring the Cubs to its national following of fans. (Most teams play about 55 of 81 home games at night. The 30-game limit is due to Chicago law specific to Wrigley Field.) Tom Ricketts must get to work immediately on convincing Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) to tell the City Council and Hizzoner Da Mare Richard M. Daley that the time for limiting night games has passed, and that the ban on Friday-Saturday night games is absurd.

The other problem is the aging grandstand. Oh, it looks lovely on television. Attending a game and sitting there is another experience entirely. Thousands of seats are limited-view due to the skyboxes overhead that block fans from seeing fly balls. The men's rooms are beyond disgusting: communal troughs instead of individual urinals. The overcrowded concourses make post-game fans' departure resemble a cattle call. And the Cubs miss out on thousands of dollars of concessions revenue every game because there is not enough space to sell food or Cubs gear. It must irritate the Cubs no end to see unauthorized vendors outside the park profit from fans who can't spend enough money inside Wrigley Field.

So the main grandstand needs to go. It will be replaced by a modern edifice with wide walkways, clear sight-lines, spacious gift shoppes, numerous food options, luxury suites, a club level....and clean restrooms. Please.