Wrigley Field: Past and Present

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Blocks away from Lake Michigan on the corner of Clark and Addison,

Wrigley Field is the center of a bustling community of diehard Cub fans. Wrigley

field was built in 1914 and can hold up to 41,000 spectators. Outside the ballpark

on any given game day there are beer-guzzling, hotdog eating fans around the park

and in surrounding neighborhoods. Wrigley Field has been the center of baseball

for the north side of Chicago and will be for many years in the future.

Wrigley Field was built in 1914. Wrigley Field was designed by Zachary

Taylor Davis for a federal league team, the Chicago Whales. When the park was

first built it was called Wheeghman Park because the owner of the whale’s last

name was Wheeghman. The ballpark originally held 20,000 spectators in 1914. In

1915 the Federal League ended and in 1918 Wheeghman purchased the Chicago

Cubs and moved his new team to the three year old stadium. Later that year

William Wrigley Jr. bought the team and renamed the stadium Cubs

Park. In 1926, Cubs Park was renamed Wrigley Field and the grandstand was

double decked, the playing field was lowered, and the bleachers in left field were

removed. The new park capacity was 38,396.

More renovations were added in 1937. Bleachers were constructed in the

outfield and the storied 27 by 75 foot high manual scoreboard was built behind the

bleachers in centerfield. Ivy was also planted on the walls by Bill Veeck to add

padding to the brick wall. “Lights for Wrigley Field were originally to be

constructed for the 1942 season. However because of World War II and the

bombing of Pearl Harbor, “Wrigley donated the lights to the government” (Wrigley).

The Tribu...

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...ons are not

necessary, “The ballpark is constructed to the safety code and most of the additions

would be luxurious, but would not be necessary to accommodate new fans to

Wrigley Field” (Vineline). The renovations of Wrigley Field are very controversial

and may need to be thought over by the Cub’s organization.

In conclusion, Wrigley Field is the center of baseball in the north side of

Chicago and will be for many years to come. The history that Wrigley Field has

is extraordinary and will be remembered for many years to come. Zachary Taylor

Davis would be proud to see that what he created is now a local and national

treasure.

Works Cited

Blythe, Bruce. “Vineline: Meet the Ricketts.” Vineline Dec. 2009

Jacobs, Mark. Wrigley Field : A Celebration of the Friendly Confines Oct. 2007

King, James. “New Phoenix Times” Dec. 2009

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