Memorable Moments at Wrigley Field All Star Game Site: 1947, '62, '90  World Series Site: 1918, '29, '32, '35, '38, '45 3,000th hit by Stan Musial on May 13, 1958. 512 homeruns by Ernie Banks. 1987 MVP Andre Dawson. Kerry Wood's 20 strikeouts on May 6, 1998. Babe Ruth's called shot in the 1932 World Series. 1971 Cy Young winner Fergie Jenkins. No hitter by Fred Toney on May 2, 1917. 190 RBI's by Hack Wilson in 1930. WRIGLEY FIELD 1060 West Addison Street Chicago, Illinois 60613 Ballpark Store More Ballpark Items

   Today, with almost every team in major league baseball wanting a new ballpark, the Cubs continue to play at Wrigley Field without wanting a new stadium. Nestled in the streets of Chicago, Wrigley Field continues to remain one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks. Beginning in 1914, Charles Weegham, decided to build a ballpark for the Chicago Whales of the Federal League. The ballpark would be located at the corner of Addison and Clark Streets. To be called Weegham Park, construction began on the 14,000 seat ballpark on March 14, 1913. The ballpark had only one deck of grandstands in a V-shape with wooden bleachers in the outfield. Construction on the $250,000 ballpark was completed on April 23, 1914. Original dimensions at Weegham Field were 310 ft. (left), 440 (center), and 356 (right). Weegham Field was home to the Chicago Whales for two years, until the Federal League went bankrupt.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs, played at West Side Grounds until Charles Weegham bought the club and moved them to his ballpark in 1916. The first Cubs game at Weegham Field was on April 20, 1916. In 1920, Weegham Field was renamed Cubs Park, and Weegham sold the club to Charles Wrigley. Beginning in 1922 and 1923, Cubs Park underwent renovations. The grandstands were moved back 60 feet, and wooden bleachers were added, thus increasing the capacity to 20,000. Major renovations began in 1926, when Cubs Park was renamed Wrigley Field. The grandstand was double decked, the playing field was lowered, and the bleachers in left field were removed. The capacity increased to 38,396. More renovations were done at Wrigley Field in 1937. Bleachers were added in the outfield, and a 27 by 75 foot scoreboard was placed behind the bleachers in centerfield. The most distinct feature was the planting of ivy at the base of the outfield wall. Before World War II, the grandstand in left field was circled so all the seats faced home plate instead of centerfield. Lights for Wrigley Field were originally suppose to be installed for the 1942 season, but because of World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Phil Wrigley donated them to the government.

Wrigley Field continued to look the same until the 1980’s. In 1982, an electronic message board was placed under the scoreboard in centerfield. In 1981, the Tribune Company bought the Cubs. The company began talking about installing lights after the 1981 season. However, a fan group fought to keep night baseball away from Wrigley Field. On May 13, 1982, Illinois legislatures made baseball after midnight a violation in a facility that had not had night sports played before July 1, 1982. But in 1984, when the Cubs made the playoffs, they were threatened that if the team made the postseason in the future, games would be moved to a location that had lights. Finally on February 23, 1988, it was decided that Cubs could install lights at Wrigley Field. The first night game scheduled for Wrigley Field was on August 8, 1988. However, it rained after four innings of baseball, and the game was postponed until the next day. In 1989, private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level, which were originally occupied by the press box and broadcasting booths. A press box and broadcasting booths were constructed in the upper deck directly behind home plate

Today, Wrigley Field is the last Federal League ballpark still standing. Even with lights, Wrigley Field remains one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks. Wrigley Field has remained advertisement free, with only advertisements on nearby buildings. The area outside Wrigley Field, called Wrigleyville, is filled with fans on game day. Ballhawks as they are called wait on Waveland Avenue to catch homeruns during the game. Fans sit atop buildings behind Wrigley Field and watch the game. Ivy still covers the brick walls in the outfield, the scoreboard is still manually operated, and bleacher bums still sit in the bleachers in the outfield. Flags atop the scoreboard still remind fans whether or not the Cubs won the day before, and where they are in the standings. The one thing missing from Wrigley Field today, is the former broadcaster of the Cubs Harry Carey, who used to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". Following the 2001 season, the Cubs plan to construct more bleacher seating, add club seating behind homeplate, and add many other amenities.

          
  
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Name: Wrigley Field 
Location: Chicago, IL
Tenant: Chicago Cubs
Capacity: 14,000 (original), 38,765 (current)
Surface:  Grass 
Construction Began: March 14, 1913
Opened: April 23, 1914
Cost: $250,000
Dimensions: 355-L, 368-LC, 400-C, 368-RC, 353-R
Architect: Osborn Engineering
Seating Chart

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