MESA, Ariz. (AP) Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts apologized to the team's players and coaching staff at spring training on Monday for any distraction caused by offensive racist emails written by his father.

"The emails that were in there were unacceptable and had no place. My father has no direct role or economic interest in the team. That doesn't represent what this organization is," Tom Ricketts said after addressing the team. "I also said: `Look, I'm sorry for the distraction this may have created the last couple days. We need to focus on baseball. We need to get back to our winning ways. We need to get off to a fast start.' The last thing the organization needs is more off-the-field distractions.'"

Joe Ricketts' emails were published by Splinter News and included Islamophobic comments, such as "Islam is a cult and not a religion." Other emails discussed conspiracies about former President Barack Obama's birthplace and education.