Why Is Wrigley Field Significant In Chicago

1308 Words6 Pages

Wrigley Field is a significant landmark in Chicago, being around for over one hundred years (101 yrs.) Not only is it historical in Chicago but it is the second oldest ballpark in the United States. Wrigley Field is currently home to the Chicago Cubs but also holds other events. Such events at Wrigley have been a circus to a rodeo, concerts to a hockey game. Wrigley Field has significant history for Chicago and also is an wonderful tourist attraction. From the Goat Curse to the 2009 NHL Winter Classic, Wrigley Field has held important events and also has witnessed them. Wrigley Field has historical significance because of its history, stories and traditions, and its familiarity in Chicago. Wrigley Field was first built in 1914 and was originally …show more content…

To start there have been many famous “moments” at Wrigley such as: Ernie Banks’ 500th home run (1970), Kerry Wood 20 strikeout game, Sammy Sosa's 60th homerun in 1998, 1999, and 2001, and Greg Maddux’s 3000th career strikeouts. Another well known famous moment that happened at WRigley was Babe Ruth’s “called shot” during the 1932 world series. Ruth pointed to centerfield suggesting where the next ball would go and Ruth hit a home run there. It is debated whether Ruth was pointing at the pitcher or gesturing to the Cubs bench but that moment has not been forgetted. Wrigley field is significant because it holds memories of this moment and it a baseball historical landmark.
The famous ivy in the outfield was first planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck. Along with planting the ivy and vines in the outfield, Veeck also oversaw the 1937 bleacher and scoreboard construction. The ivy wall originally consisted of 200 ivy plants and other plants but ivy mostly dominated the wall. The bleachers and scoreboard were constructed in 1937. The famous scoreboard is one of the two still manually operated today. No baseball has ever hit the Wrigley Field SCoreboard. The only ball that has ever hit it was a golf ball hit by golfer Sam …show more content…

The City of Chiago issued an ordinance against night games at Wrigley because the lights would be distraction to people that lived in the neighborhood but in 1988, exceptions were made. It's one of the only ballparks where neighborhood residents can sit on the roof and watch the game. In the 1990s, owners of apartments built bleachers on their roofs and started charging people to watch the game. The Cubs organization agreed not to block the view with a fence as long as the owners of the apartments agreed to share some of the proceeds with the cubs. Today, Wrigley field is the last Federal League ballpark standing. Even with lights and new videoboard, WRigley field remains one of baseball's most old-fashioned parks. Wrigley is more than a ballpark, important part of Chicago's history and culture. To chicagoans, it comes with interesting stories and traditions, and has a personality of its own. Story:The Curse of the Billy Goat: During the World series game between the Chicago cubs and DEtroit Tigers, the owner of the Billy Goat Tavern was asked to leave

Open Document