“Root, root, root for the Cubbies, if they don’t win it’s a shame.” This is what you would hear during the seventh-inning stretch if you ever go to a game at the historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. This past Wednesday, April 23, Wrigley Field turned 100 years old.
Why is this a big deal? Well, it may not be to every sports fan, but Wrigley is the oldest baseball park in the National League and the MLB’s second oldest. And personally, I am obsessed with the Cubs.
Here is a brief history of Wrigley: It was originally called Cubs Park, but the name was changed to Wrigley Field when William Wrigley, Jr., became the team owner. It only has a capacity of 41,009. That may sound like a big number, but it is one of the smallest in the MLB. The ivy-clad outfield walls, uncommon wind patterns from Lake Michigan and large red marquee sign at the entrance are all a part of what makes Wrigley Field such a special place.
You do not have to be a Cubs fan to enjoy a game at Wrigley. The experience will be more than enough to distract you from the game because, chances are, they will be losing.
Game-day traditions include the seventh-inning stretch, when a guest leads the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” fans who stand on Waveland Ave. to catch out-of-the-park home runs, and fans who throw the baseball back on the field after an opposing player hits a home run.
Wrigley Rooftops are the place to be if you want to have an outside-the-park game experience. These are located around the outfield perimeters. The owners of these buildings are now partnered with the Cubs organization after the Cubs tried to file a lawsuit saying they were infringing on their copyrights. So, the “Official Rooftop Partners” are a great location if you want to take a large group out to see a game, but have more of a private viewing.
I am not writing all of this to try and force you to see a game at Wrigley. I am simply saying that if you get the chance, do not pass it up. You might think the Cubs are awful (rightfully so), but trust me, you do not want to miss out on one of the most iconic fields in the history of baseball.
