Cubs hurl suit at rooftop owners

Chicago — After months of fruitless negotiations, the Chicago Cubs have filed suit against the owners of the 13 rooftop businesses bordering Wrigley Field, charging that they steal the team’s product, infringe on its copyright and “unjustly enrich themselves to the tune of millions of dollars each year.”

The action in U.S. District Court on Monday came three days after the Daley administration decided to forge ahead with landmark status for the ballpark, thus putting the brakes on a bleachers-expansion project proposed by the Cubs.

The two sides sought to negotiate a deal in which the business owners would pay the Cubs in return for a bleachers-expansion design that would not block the view of their customers. But the bargaining came to an end after team officials concluded that the owners’ most recent offer was worse than the one before.

Former St. Louis Browns first baseman dies at 80

St. Louis — Henry “Hank” Arft, a first baseman for the old St. Louis Browns, has died. He was 80.

Arft, who after his playing days joined his wife’s family funeral home business, died Saturday of cancer.

He played for the Browns from 1948-52. He batted .253 for his career.