One of Wrigley Field’s last remaining areas dating back to 1914 is now gone
By: Alex Patt
The 2018–2019 offseason is busy for both the front office, and the old ballpark herself. After an early exit from the playoffs the workers immediately began the next phase of the renovation project. This phase includes upper deck/pressbox restoration, more work on the new club areas and the new visitors clubhouse.
The visitor’s clubhouse may be the most talked about for a number of reasons. Many players and media members of visiting teams are probably jumping for joy that the old, outdated and very small visiting clubhouse is gone for good.
Yes it was a necessary change, but it is also kind of sad from a historical perspective.
Just this past week, the construction crew ripped out the remaining concrete panels P.K. Wrigley installed in the 1950s (nobody will miss those) and demolished the visitor’s clubhouse. Why is it somewhat sad? Well that room was indeed one of the remaining areas in the stadium that was there since the park was constructed in 1914.
In an earlier article last year I discussed Wrigley Field and how much was really left today from the original 1914 structure. While it will always be a historical area, very little of the original park remains. The visitor’s clubhouse was one area that had stayed there over the years of concrete and steel replacement.
What made that room historical outside the fact that it dated back to 1914? Well the answer is simply the people who changed in that room. Baseball legends like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Lou Gehrig to name just a few. Not to mention NFL legends who played the Bears at Wrigley from the 20s to the early 70s. One could imagine the speeches Vince Lombardi made in that room. Also account of the rock stars and musicians who used that room as their green room before and after concerts.
Sure the rooms was small and dumpy, but going in there on one of those Wrigley Field tours was always special knowing who had walked in that space.
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