matthewweaver.com | mlb ballparks

Ballpark:
The "friendly confines" of Wrigley Field are one of the most famous landmarks in sports - not just baseball. Built in 1914, Wrigley is the second oldest park in the Major Leagues, behind Boston's Fenway Park (built in 1912). It is famous for an ivy-covered outfield wall, spectators on the neighborhood rooftops, beer-guzzling fans and celebrities singing the 7th Inning Stretch. The location in the hip and historic Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago is very unique and provides an intimacy that has been lost with the building of new ballparks.

The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908, but Wrigley Field is packed for most games...especially weekend and day games. Cubs fans are a special breed that seem to enjoy the ballpark more than the game itself. For most of its history, the Cubs played only day games, as Wrigley did not have lights. This made the park a destination for many Chicago business people wishing to entertain clients or just play hooky for the day. Since August 9, 1988, many games are played at night, but the fans still come out in force.

Wrigley Field was home to many famous broadcasters, probably the most famous being Harry Caray. The Budweiser gulping play-by-play man became famous for his "Holy Cow" exclamations and leading the crowd in the singing of the 7th Inning Stretch at every home game. Though he sometimes rambled unintelligibly, Caray was an icon that was known to many through the Cubs broadcasts on cable super station WGN-TV. In fact, I enjoyed many afternoon Cubs games on TV between my college classes at Miami University.

The park looks a bit dingy from the outside and the stands are rather unremarkable. However, the brick wall surrounding the infield and the ivy-covered brick wall in the outfield exude class and distinction. The truly unique thing about the park is the rooftop venues surrounding the outfield walls where paying customers sit in bleachers on top of the apartments. This happens no where else in baseball and is sanctioned by the Cubs, who receive a cut from every rooftop ticket sold. The rooftops have good food and flowing beer, but are quite expensive for the average fan. Besides the rooftops, the Wrigleyville neighborhood is historic and cozy and has landmarks such as the Budweiser House and the Chicago Fire Station and its fire truck complete with Cubs stickers and a large Cubs flag.

As for Wrigley Field itself, the amenities and sightlines are a bit poor for today's fans, but the history, the ivy-covered wall and other unique qualities of the park makes it a fan's paradise and worthy of an "A" grade.

How to get there:
From O'Hare International Airport, take Interstate 190 East to Interstate 90/94 East. (From Midway Airport, take Interstate 55 North to Interstate 90/94 West.) Exit onto Belmont Avenue and head East for 2 miles into the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Follow the signs to the park.

The parking in Wrigleyville is nearly non-existent, so taking the train is the best option. From downtown Chicago, take the Northbound Red Line Chicago Transit Authority train from The Loop to the Addison Street station. The park is about one block to the West of the station.

City:
Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and it is filled with endless things to see and do. It sits on the Southwest shore of Lake Michigan and is the center of Midwestern business and culture. Skyscrapers line Michigan Avenue for miles and the largest office building in the United States, Sears Tower, stands nearby. The parks by the lake shore are home to countless museums and events, such as the annual Taste of Chicago festival. From the Aquarium to Navy Pier to museums to the incredible nightlife, you will never be bored in Chicago.

Stuff to do while there:
I recommend doing at least these two things while in Chicago: 1) Visit the Sky Deck of Sears Tower, where you have a bird's eye view of the surrounding city and 2) Eat a thick Chicago Style pizza from one of the many area pizza joints...Giordano's is my favorite, though it is hard to go wrong anywhere in the city. 3) Check out the nightlife in the Division Street, Rush Street and Lincoln Park areas. 4) Browse the posh shops of the Magnificent Mile on upper Michigan Avenue. If that's not enough, you can find just about anything you want in Chicago.

Story:
In 2007, I was lucky enough to attend a bachelor party for my college friend Bob Dittrich held on the roof of 3643 N. Sheffield Avenue. We had a great view into Wrigley and enjoyed draft beer and food off the grill. The particular apartment we occupied had a dedicated bar in the third floor and was extremely well run. (Other rooftops are private or not quite as swanky.)

In 1998, I made a special effort to see the Indians play in Wrigley during a rare Interleague game. I flew in on a Tuesday afternoon, explored downtown for a few hours, took the train to Wrigley and caught the 1:15 PM game before returning to O'Hare airport and flying back to Cleveland the same day! Now that's a whirlwind trip. :)

During that 1998 game, I sat on the third base side of the field and, among other sites, saw the Cubs Band play up close.

Fun facts:
Wrigley's outfield lines are farther away from home plate - 368 feet each way - than any other ballpark in the Major Leagues.

The first night game at Wrigley was to be played on August 8, 1988 (8/8/88) but the game was rained out. Therefore, the first night game was actually on 8/9/88.

Other parks have brick walls in foul territory, but only Wrigley has one in fair territory.

Only Wrigley and Petco Park in San Diego have a significant amount of paying customers watching the game from outside of the stadium. Petco has a large amount of lawn seating past right center field.

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A 3-photo mosaic of Wrigley Field from a nearby rooftop
June 30, 2007

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The center field bleacher entrance on Sheffield and Waveland
June 30, 2007

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The rooftop apartment at
3643 N. Sheffield Avenue.
June 30, 2007

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Fans form long lines to get
a choice bleacher seat
June 30, 2007

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The rooftop bleachers & Wrigley
June 30, 2007

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Sean Marshall fires the first
pitch of the game
June 30, 2007

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The ivy-covered brick outfield
wall and the famous bleachers
June 30, 2007

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Matt with Bob during his
rooftop bachelor party
June 30, 2007

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Fans empty out of Wrigley at the Clark & Addison entrance
June 30, 2007

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The center field scoreboard
June 30, 2007

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The Wrigley infield from
the third base line
June 23, 1998

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The North side Chicago skyline towers about the outfield wall
June 23, 1998

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Matt in front of the famous
ivy covered outfield wall
June 23, 1998