Chicago’s Wrigley Field

Chicago’s Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors behind Boston’s Fenway Park (1912). The playing grounds, which follow the jewel box design of ballparks that was popular in the early part of the 20th century, has a rich history involving unique moments and events that many Cubs fans are unaware of.

This blog post outlines 10 other historical events that may surprise even the most die hard Cubs fans.

#10: Originally, Chicago restaurant tycoon Charlie Wheegman bought the land that eventually became Wrigley Field and named it after himself.

#9: “White flag time at Wrigley!” — The term “White flag time at Wrigley!” means the Cubs won. This dates back to a ritual of raising flags after a game.

#8: Lou Gehrig a Home Run at age 17 — On Oct. 5, 1938, New York Yankees’ Lou Gehrig was 17 when he scored the first run of the 1938 World Series against the Chicago Cubs as he crosses home plate in the second inning of Game 1 at Wrigley Field.

#7: It pioneered firsts — Wrigley was the first ballpark where fans could keep foul balls. The first permanent concession stands? They were at Wrigley. The first stadium with organ music? That was Wrigley, too.

#6: Wrigley’s “Ivy” — The ivy that covers the outfield wall is a combination of Boston Ivy and Japanese Bittersweet, planted in 1937 by the Cubs General Manager, Bill Veeck.

#5: It’s one of the only ballparks where neighborhood residents can sit on the roof and watch the game.

#4: Lights weren’t added to Wrigley until 1988

#3: “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” — Harry Caray’s famous seventh-inning stretch rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game“ almost never happened.

#2: Wrigley Scoreboard — No batter has ever hit the scoreboard which has been around since 1937 and is still manually operated.

#1: Hollywood Cinema

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Blues Brothers, and The Break-Up are just a few of many movies that featured Wrigley Field.

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