Selling the Icons

Making the news, at least in the Chicago area, is Sam Zells statement that he planning on selling the name rights for Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs. Mr. Zell became the owner of the Cubs and Wrigley Field through the purchase of the Chicago Tribune newspaper. As part of the change in ownership certain assets are going to be sold off. Namely the Cubs and Wrigley field to separate buyers. This is fine, maybe the Cubs will become a winning team, and selling the Ballpark, rumored to the Illinois State Sports Authority (which means Illinois tax payers will be paying and paying for it). This is change that happens.

But changing the name of Wrigley Field is tearing off another piece of the fabric that makes Chicago and throwing it away. Years ago you could say, I was at Comiskey last night, I went to the Stadium, or I have a date at Wrigley, and people would know you where either at a White Sox’s game, at a Blackhawks or Bull’s game, or a Cub’s game. These were names that were Chicago. Now Comiskey is gone, torn down and replaced by a Stadium that is more like a mall than a ball field named US Cellular Field. The Chicago Stadium likewise is gone replaced by the United Center. Should another piece of Chicago be sold to the highest bidder?

I spent many years in the centerfield bleachers at Wrigley. Spent some cold nights waiting in line to get the coveted opening day and the St. Louis series bleacher seats at the friendly confines. Sometimes there would be 20, sometimes just a few but I always knew someone in the centerfield bleachers. One year on opening day we had a snow ball fight in the bleachers, the next year it was 70 degrees. Roasted on hot summer days getting that bleacher tan and sat through rain delays drinking a beer on the ramp. The first night game at Wrigley field was rained out, I sat there drench to the bone till they called it. The following night became the Official first night game and of course I didn’t have that ticket. But I was there the first time the lights came on and the first pitch was thrown. Saw them lose to the Giants in the play-offs for another “Wait till next Year” all in the friendly confines.

Memories I haven’t thought of in a long time,

Memories of Wrigley Field