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Wrigley Field Forever!!!!!

Nolan Thomas Written by Nolan Thomas, Thursday February 05 2009
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Wrigley Field, where throughout baseball history, there have been some classic moments and wonderful memories that have taken place. Nestled in a quaint urban setting in north Chicago, there is no place like it.

 

 

 

 In September of 1938, Cubs Hall of Fame catcher Gabby Hartnett hit his famous "Homer in the Gloamin’" against the Pittsburgh Pirates. No event at Wrigley Field is more famous than Babe Ruth's supposed called shot of his home run during the 1932 World Series. It has been written about, showed up in numerous movies and is engraved in American baseball folklore.

 

 Wrigley Field is where Ernie Banks hit his 500th homer in 1970 and Pete Rose got his 4,191st hit to equal Ty Cobb's mark in 1985. It is where as a rookie; pitcher Kerry Wood struck out twenty Houston Astros in one game. It is where in the 1960's and 1970's, the Bleacher Bums in their hard hats spent their summer vacations roaming the bleachers at Wrigley Field.

 

 It is also the best place in the world to watch a baseball game. Snuggled into a residential neighborhood on Chicago's northeast side, Wrigley Field has been Wrigley Field since 1920. Anywhere in the United States and to any baseball fan in the world, you mention Wrigley Field and people instantly know where and what you are talking about. The Cubs and Wrigley Field go together like hot dogs and baseball, apple pie and ice cream, and corn beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day.

 

 

 The ivy on the outfield walls, which was planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck and the people on the buildings rooftops across the street on Sheffield and Waveland avenues. Having a bar across the street from the park regardless of what exit you walk out of after the game either to celebrate a Cubs victory or to drown your sorrows for a Cubs loss.

 

 

 Wrigley Field is a beautiful and picturesque place to relax and enjoy a ballgame. There is arguably no better baseball field, anywhere in the world!

 

 Wrigley Field shares its name with the Wrigley Company, as the park was named for its then-owner, William Wrigley Jr., the CEO of the Wrigley Company. Yes, the chewing gum company. Not everyone always realizes this and usually does not even think about it. Ask any baseball fan what he thinks of when you say “Wrigley” and they will tell you, the Cubs and Wrigley Field in Chicago, not their urge to chew some gum or to date the Doublemint Twins.

 

 Now the Tribune Co., which currently owns the Cubs, has them up for sale. That is fine; maybe with a new owner the Cubs will finally get to, and win, a World Series in my lifetime. It has been 101 years this year since the Cubs have won a World Series.

 

 The thing that really bothered me was that they also wanted to sell the “naming” rights to Wrigley Field as well. That meant that some company with bug bucks could have actually bought the rights to name this wonderful ballpark something else. This ballpark is a landmark, name and all if you ask me.

 

 

  I just cannot imagine going to Taco Bell Park, or Verizon Field, or Hooters Stadium to watch a Cubs game. How would the wonderful big red sign out in front that reads “Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs” look reading “General Motors Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs?” How would you feel walking into the park and reading “Welcome to the Friendly Confines of Red Bull Park, Get Wings on the top of the dugouts?” It is a shame I tell you, just a crying shame.

 

 

 There had been talk that maybe the Wrigley Co. could buy the rights and keep the name, but even the CEO of Wrigley Company said that even if they bought the rights, they might want to rename it to “Big Red Field,” because that is their most popular selling gum. What is this Cincinnati? The Cubs play there not the Reds!

 

 I am a Cubs fan because I grew up on the north side of Chicago, taking the bus and the "EL" to the games since I was 12 years old. I love the Cubs because of my heroes when I was young, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and, because of Wrigley Field. I know it would be the same park; it would just have a different name. Nevertheless, regardless of that, Wrigley Field not being Wrigley Field just would not be the same.

 

It should be Wrigley Field forever and ever! Thankfully, the Ricketts family, true Cubs fans and traditionalists are poised to purchase the Cubs.  Therefore, our children, our children’s children, and even their children will have the joy of “Wrigley Field” and the Chicago Cubs.

 

Wrigley Field forever!

 

 

 


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3 comments


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Baseball FanBaseball Fan, over 3 years ago said:

I have been to a lot of MLB ballparks and I have to admit, Wrigley is what baseball is all about.

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Tommy BoyTommy Boy, over 3 years ago said:

Any baseball fan that has not been to Wrigley Field just doesn't know what they are missing!

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RichRich, over 3 years ago said:

Wrigley is one of the last holdouts of the old ballparks and is not just a Chicago icon, but an American classic. A lot of that status comes from the Cubs fans who love their team and the home they play in so much. There are few fan bases that I would apply this tag to, but the Cubs fans are among the best there is because of their loyalty and passion for the Cubs brand of baseball. I join you in your salute to Wrigley Field.