Cubs’ owner gives GM Hendry vote of confidence

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a tepid vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Ricketts, while saying he has the "highest level of confidence" in Hendry, also said, "The fact is right now Jim is our general manager. I support him. I think he does a great job, and we’ll just take it one day at a time."

Ricketts visited the Cubs in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading to Anaheim, Calif., for the All-Star Game.

Hendry and manager Lou Piniella are being criticized for assembling a team that’s mired in the middle of the NL Central, well behind leaders Cincinnati and St. Louis. Ricketts echoed Hendry’s recent support of Piniella, however, and was careful not to point fingers.

"Lou is a great manager, one of the best managers of all time, for God’s sake," Ricketts said. "Obviously the year hasn’t gone like we’d all hoped, but I don’t think the turning point is any one person."

"I’m not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," he said. "The fact is when we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Seems like the guys are putting it together now. Let’s just keep on winning."

Ricketts said that before the Cubs were shut out, 7-0, to end the first half.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a tepid vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Ricketts, while saying he has the "highest level of confidence" in Hendry, also said, "The fact is right now Jim is our general manager. I support him. I think he does a great job, and we’ll just take it one day at a time."

Ricketts visited the Cubs in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading to Anaheim, Calif., for the All-Star Game.

Hendry and manager Lou Piniella are being criticized for assembling a team that’s mired in the middle of the NL Central, well behind leaders Cincinnati and St. Louis. Ricketts echoed Hendry’s recent support of Piniella, however, and was careful not to point fingers.

"Lou is a great manager, one of the best managers of all time, for God’s sake," Ricketts said. "Obviously the year hasn’t gone like we’d all hoped, but I don’t think the turning point is any one person."

"I’m not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," he said. "The fact is when we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Seems like the guys are putting it together now. Let’s just keep on winning."

Ricketts said that before the Cubs were shut out, 7-0, to end the first half.

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