Wrigley Field in Chicago

Written by Julie Greiner

1060 West Addison Street in Chicago the Wrigley Field continues to remain one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks and among most popular. Wrigley Field which was built in 1914 is now playing host to major league baseball for the 89th season in 2002. Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues behind Boston's Fenway Park.

History of Wrigley Field

The Park was originally named Weeghman Park and was built on the previous site of a seminary. Weeghman Park was the first Federal League Park in Chicago. The

Photography by Brian Merzbach

original building had a seating capacity of some 14,000 and was estimated to cost approximately $250,000. The infield and outfield consisted of more than 4,000 yards of soil and four acres of bluegrass. In 1914 the first major league game was played at the park. Weeghman purchased the Cubs and moved them to Weeghman Park at the corner of Clark and Addison streets, thus renaming the park as Cubs Park in 1920. In 1926 the Park was named Wrigley Field in honor of William Wrigley, Jr., the club's new owner. The scoreboard was constructed in 1937... the original scoreboard remains intact and the score-by-innings and the pitchers' numbers are changed by hand.

The Lights Went on at Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field added lights in 1988. The first night game was rained out

Photography by Brian Merzbach

on August 8, 1988. The Cubs have played 206 home night games. The Tribune Company purchased the Cubs in 1981 and many renovations have taken place since at Wrigley Field. New office space was created, a new clubhouse was completed under the third base stands in 1990. In 1989 private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level. There are now 63 private boxes and an elevator was added to the third base concourse in 1996.

Moments to Remember at Wrigley Field

Babe Ruth played the 1932 World Series and called his shot; Gabby Hartnett's famous "Homer in the Gloamin" on September 28, 1938; the famous May 2, 1917 pitching duel between Jim "Hippo" Vaughn and the Reds' Fred Toney; Ernie Banks' 500th career home run on May 12, 1970; Pete Rose's 4,191st career hit...

There have been songs written about Wrigley Field and sports heroes immortalized here. Ernie Banks' uniform number 14 is imprinted on the flag which flies from the left-field foul pole, Billy William's number 26 flies from the right-field foul pole. A flying flag bearing a "W" or an "L" atop the scoreboard after a game indicates victory - "W" or "L" denotes a loss. Truly deserving to be designated as an historic landmark - don't miss the chance to sit in these bleachers on your next visit to Chicago.