Wrigley Field

Home of MLB’s Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field is the second oldest Major League Baseball stadium in active use. Built in 1914 for approximately $250,000 dollars and originally named “Weegam Park” Charles Weegam was the first Cubs owner. Wrigley Field has been home to the Cubs since 1916. In 1920 the stadium name was changed to Cubs Park, in 1926 the name was changed to the current Wrigley Field name.

The double-decker grandstands were built in the late 1920’s; with the bleachers being constructed in 1937 along with the planting of the famous Ivy that covers the outfield walls. Under Wrigley Field ground rules if a ball in play is lost in the Ivy on the wall it becomes a ground rule double. Wrigley didn’t get lights until 1988; the lights were banned by city ordinance and Illinois state law. The city of Chicago and the state of Illinois had refused to consider the issue until Major League Baseball threatened to make the Cubs play postseason games at Busch Stadium in St. Louis unless lights were installed. The first game under the lights was August 8, 1988 against the Philadelphia Phillies and was rained out after 3 innings. The first complete game was August 9th against the New York Mets, the Cubs winning 6-4.

There were, and still are, numerous apartment buildings surrounding Wrigley when it was constructed and many used their rooftops as bleachers for people that couldn't afford the tickets to see ball games. Today the rooftops are all commercial ventures with liquor licenses, regulated by the City of Chicago and game day admission costing more than the average Cub’s game ticket.

Wrigley Field was home field to the Chicago Bears football team for 49 years until they moved to Solider Field on the Chicago waterfront of Lake Michigan.

Wrigley is currently owned by the Tribune Company, owners of the Chicago Cubs. The Tribune Company is holding discussions with the State of Illinois concerning the State's purchase of Wrigley Field. The sale of the stadium will completed prior to any sale of the Cubs baseball team. Fast Facts:

1. Location: 1060 West Addison St. Chicago, IL 60613 (map)
2. Broke ground: March 4, 1914
3. Opened: April 23, 1914
4. Owner: Tribune Company
5. Surface: Grass
6. Capacity: 40,198

Categories