Changing Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field remains a hot topic amongst Cub fans, including those at the Convention. I think we have to accept several inalienable truths about the deal, including the following:
- The Cubs - or their future owner - will sell the naming rights to everything they can think of. Don't be surprised if you'll someday find yourself sitting on the Monster.com Presents Seat 102 in the WGN Radio Aisle 219 of the Budweiser Upper Decks at the Target Presents Wrigley Field on the Old Style Grounds in Chicago. But, c'mon, would you - or anybody - call it such? Nah. You'd call it Wrigley Field. So, stop yapping about it and just accept the fact that, when the Cubs win 110 games in a year based on their incredibly well-built squad, the advertising dollars will be the reason why.
- Wrigley Field is old. Really, really old. You know how the Cubs haven't won a World Series in about 100 years, but it feels like an eternity ago? Well, Wrigley Field is almost as old as our championship draught. What does that mean to mere mortals such as you and I? Well, it means that, as the ballpark crumbles and concrete falls on fans like heavy snow-flakes, we will have to deal with a prolonged rebuilding project which may land us in The Cell for one or more years. I know, I know, neither you nor I want to deal with the prospect of developing a crack addiction by having to watch baseball games in that hole of a ballpark - and, knowing the Cubs, that's the year they'll win it all - but it will be to our benefit to see Wrigley rebuilt and refortified.
If and when it happens, the Cubs should go all out and make it a bit more of a modern ballpark. They could figure out a way to own the street behind the ballpark and make it a part of the attraction. They could erect statues to all of the greatest Cub legends in the boulevard behind the bleachers. They could build one - or two! - super jumbo trons in that same area, while maintaining the hand-operated board, as well. They could add even more seats. They could even build a roller coaster or something back there! In other words, they could totally rape the greatest sports cathedral of our childhoods, and turn it into an efficient money-making tool. And, y'know, while there should certainly be a few restraints involved, maybe they should a little. So long as the dimensions of the playing field remained the same, so long as the walls were brick and ivy, and so long as there's a big, green man-operated scoreboard to look at while being serenaded by the ballpark organ, they can do whatever they want to the rest of the grounds that Wrigley sits on.
- Wrigley Field will not always exist. Enjoy it in any form while you still can. Keep that in mind, as they tack on ugly names and build ridiculous seats further onto the playing field.
And what are your thoughts?




Something About Nothing
I don't know. There is something nice about going to Wrigley Field. Where all there is to do is watch baseball. We live in a world totally connected to the internet, e-mail, TV, jumbotron replays whatever. It's nice I think to go to Wrigley Field, sit down and just watch a baseball game. Not that there aren't people all on their iPhones, texting and whatever, but it's their choice to do that. Really, I don't want to look out over the park and see a roller coaster and jumbotrons, I just want to see the ball park and the game. Just my opinion. I hope they make it a landmark so they cant' change any of it.
And wouldn't the lose the
And wouldn't the lose the whole "guaranteed sellout" thing if they raped the ballpark? Would it really lead to more money for the Cubs (other than the naming rights which would obviously make money)
Nah
I doubt it ... so long as it's tasteful. I'm not serious about a rollercoaster, but I think a lot of other things are within reason. And there are some additional bonuses to completely renovating the park ... they could probably finally fix the atrocious parking situation.
Uh...it's a ballpark in the
Uh...it's a ballpark in the middle of one of the most popular neighborhoods in a big city. I don't think that the parking will ever be good unless they tear down housing in a one block square section.
(the first comment was mine but I forgot to log in)
http://jasonleahrun.blogspot.com
They were planning on it
My understanding is that the parking lot next to the ballpark was going to be converted into a parking center/Cubs museum at one point in the past.
If you dig it deep enough and build it tall enough, it would alleviate some of the parking congestion in Wrigley.
What to do with Wrigley
Now would be the perfect time for Wrigley Corporation to purchase naming rights. Although my experiences with Bill and PK tell me that Wrigley will pass on this opportunity hoping the name "Wrigley" will be somewhere in the new name.
Eventually the Cubs will have to move out for a year while the upper deck is torn off and replaced with something more safe and more 21st century. Let's hope they don't make another "spaceship" like they did with Soldier's Field!
Wrigley Field
Maybe we should change the statue of liberty and tear down that ugly brick wall with the vines on it.
Peace....Iron Mike
Lady Liberty
Man, remember when they renovated the Statue of Liberty like, twenty years ago? That really freaked me out. They spent millions of dollars and they built a structure around the statue in order to improve it in order to ensure that it would be around for my grandchildren to enjoy. I can sure tell you, I was angry that they were doing it. Lady Liberty should be a shrine, Iron Mike! They should never have touched it!
At the risk of drawing the
At the risk of drawing the ire of every rabid Cubs fan on this site, I've actually been to White Sox games since the Cell got its upgrade (I never really felt I had to hate the White Sox just because I love the Cubs, and I love attending live baseball) and Sox Park is actually pretty nice. I know not everyone will agree, but if you don't go in thinking "Man, this'll suck because it's not Wrigley", it's actually quite an enjoyable park. It's also extremely close to the train stop, and sheltered by a special enclosure the entire way to the park so you aren't exposed to the South Side at all really.
Is it Wrigley? Hell no. It doesn't have half the charm of the Friendly Confines. But it is a well-designed, comfortable, modern ballpark. And if the Cubs have to play there in order for some major restorations to take place at Wrigley to insure that Wrigley survives another hundred years, it's a REALLY small price to pay in my opinion.
Indifferent
Kurt, you know my stance on this already.
Sincerly,
Brad, the stop renaming wrigley petition guy