Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field. Located in the Lakeview neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, it is the home of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). One of the oldest and most iconic ballparks in the United States, it is renowned for its ivy-covered brick outfield wall, hand-operated scoreboard, and vibrant neighborhood atmosphere. The stadium's history, unique features, and central role in Chicago culture have cemented its status as a beloved national landmark.

History

The stadium was originally constructed in 1914 for the Federal League's Chicago Whales by entrepreneur Charles Weeghman and architect Zachary Taylor Davis. When the Federal League dissolved after the 1915 season, Weeghman led a syndicate that purchased the National League's Chicago Cubs and moved them to the park, then called Weeghman Park, in 1916. In 1920, the Wrigley family, led by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., bought controlling interest, renaming it Cubs Park before officially dubbing it Wrigley Field in 1926. The park remained under the ownership of the Wrigley family until 1981, when it was sold to the Tribune Company. In 2009, the Ricketts family purchased the Chicago Cubs and the stadium, initiating a major period of restoration and modernization.

Features and renovations

Wrigley Field is celebrated for its distinctive, old-fashioned ballpark characteristics. The most famous feature is the lush Boston ivy and Japanese bittersweet vines planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck that cover the outfield's brick wall. A manually operated, center-field scoreboard, installed in 1937, remains a cherished anachronism. For decades, the stadium was notable for its lack of permanent light fixtures, hosting only day games until lights were finally installed in 1988. The 1060 Project, a multi-phase renovation launched by the Ricketts family in 2014, added modern player facilities, expanded concourses, and the Budweiser Bleacher video boards, while carefully preserving the park's historic charm and integrating new structures like the Hotel Zachary and the Park at Wrigley.

Baseball at Wrigley Field

As the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916, the stadium has been the site of countless historic baseball moments. It hosted the 1932 World Series, famous for Babe Ruth's "called shot," and the 1938 World Series against the New York Yankees. The park was the setting for the 1945 World Series, after which the Chicago Cubs entered a long championship drought. That drought famously ended when the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, with the final out of the 2016 National League Championship Series clinched at the stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Legendary players like Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Billy Williams became icons there, and the tradition of flying a white flag with a blue "W" or a blue flag with a white "L" after games is a beloved ritual.

Other events and uses

Beyond baseball, the stadium has a rich history of hosting other major events. It was the home field for the National Football League's Chicago Bears from 1921 until they moved to Soldier Field in 1971. The venue has also staged numerous concerts by major artists, including The Beatles in 1965, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Pearl Jam. It has been used for college football games, soccer matches featuring teams like A.C. Milan and the U.S. men's national soccer team, and even served as a temporary site for DePaul University basketball in the 1950s. The surrounding area, known as Wrigleyville, thrives with bars, restaurants, and residences that engage with the stadium's event schedule.

In popular culture

Wrigley Field's iconic status has made it a frequent backdrop in film, television, and music. It was prominently featured in the 1986 comedy "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and the 1989 film "Back to the Future Part II." The stadium has appeared in television series such as "Married... with Children" and "The Simpsons." In music, it is referenced in songs by artists like Steve Goodman in "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" and Fall Out Boy in "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)." The park's recognizable marquee at the corner of Clark and Addison streets is one of the most photographed landmarks in Chicago.

Category:Baseball venues in Chicago Category:National Register of Historic Places in Chicago Category:Chicago Cubs