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Wrigley Field
Home of the Chicago Cubs
Construction began on a new $250,000 stadium, now known as Wrigley Field, in March 1914. To this day, Wrigley Field remains one of the oldest parks in baseball history. Located in Chicago, Wrigley Field officially opened in April 1914 and hosted it's first Cubs National League baseball game on April 20, 1916 in which the Cubs defeated the Reds in a 7-6 victory.
Charlie Weeghman was one of 10 to purchase the Cubs baseball team before each owner finally sold all remaining shares to William Wrigley Jr., known for Wrigley chewing gum, in 1918. Weegham originally built the venue for his team, the Chicago Whales of the Federal League, which folded two years later. On opening day, the stadium was originally known as Cubs Park. However, in 1926, the venue was renamed Wrigley Field in honor of it's owner. Wrigley Field received the first permanent concession stand in baseball's history. Another baseball tradition, the permission of fans to keep foul balls that are hit into the stands, was started at Wrigley Field.
The bleachers and scoreboard, which is still manually operated, were constructed in 1937. Miraculously, the scoreboard has never been struck with a ball in play. Oddly enough, it has been hit by a golf ball teed off by Sam Snead inside the stadium. Bill Veek, who is responsible for construction of the bleachers and scoreboard, is also responsible for the beautiful landscaping throughout the park.
After the Chicago Cubs hosted more than 5,000 afternoon games, the lights were turned on at Wrigley Field during the venue's first night game in August 1988 against Philadelphia. Although that game was initially rained out, the New York Mets arrived the following night for the first official night game in which the Cubs defeated the Mets in a 6-4 victory.
Many of baseball's great historic moments occurred at Wrigley Field, including Ernie Banks batting his 500th homerun in 1970, Babe Ruth's "called shot" in the 1932 Game 3 of the World Series, Pete Rose tied Ty Cobb's record 4,191 hits in baseball history in 1985, Sammy Sosa's 60th homeruns in 1998, 1999 and 2001. In addition, fans witnessed Gabby Hartnett's famous "Homer in the Gloamin" against the Pirates' Mace Brown in 1938.
To this day, Wrigley Field remains one of the most traditional venues in baseball. In addition, it is the last Federal League park in existence. Through the years, it has remained mostly free of advertisements with only a few lingering ads throughout the park. Colored flags remind fans of the Cubs' standings and of a recent victory or loss. A flag bearing the letter "W" indicates a win while a flag with the letter "L" signifies a loss. Even though it is the current home of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field has hosted more professional football games than any other stadium in the United States. In 2005, Wrigley Field celebrated it's 92nd season hosting Major League Baseball and 90th year hosting the Cubs.
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