CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Cubs are known as "the North Siders", a reference to the location of Wrigley Field within the city of Chicago. The Cubs began play in 1870 as the Chicago White Stockings, joining the National League (NL) in 1876 as a charter member. They became the Chicago Cubs in 1903. The Cubs moved into Weeghman Park in 1914. Chewing gum magnet Bill Wrigley became the majority owner in 1921 and the stadium became Wrigley Field in 1926, the name used every since even as the club owners have changed.

Officially, today's home opener was postponed due to "inclement weather" ...

Cubs 2018 Opening - Postponed by Paul Sager, on Flickr
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The Left Field Bleachers.

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Hall of Famer Ron Santo outside the Right Field Entrance. Some of the Rooftop Seating overlooking left-center from across Waveland Avenue.

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These fans had just learned the game was postponed til Tuesday afternoon.

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In the 1970s during the Cub's endless losing seasons, you could sit in the festival seating of the Wrigley Bleachers for only $1.50. I bought 'scalped' tickets for $15 as recently as 1990. Nowadays, they have gourmet food, a video board, a private club and face value tickets can be $75 against premium opponents. Still festival seating so line up early if you want a specific location.

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Harry Caray (March 1, 1914 – February 18, 1998) covered five Major League Baseball teams, beginning with 25 years of calling the games of the St. Louis Cardinals, a year working for the Oakland Athletics, eleven years with the Chicago White Sox, and the last sixteen years of his career as the announcer for the Chicago Cubs. With the Cubs broadcast nationwide on WGN, Caray became as famous in every corner of the US as he had long been on the South Side and in St. Louis before migrating to Chicago. The seventh-inning stretch and signing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" became Caray's best-remembered trademark; after his death, the Cubs began a practice of inviting guest celebrities, local and national, to lead the singing Caray-style.

Cub Fan - Bud Man
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lemlakit

To > CHG_CANON > thanks for sharing great pictures You have given us priceless history > thank you >
Mel Jordan

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Nice set...really enjoyed this. I think it's wonderful the folks in Chicago have over the years kept Wrigley Field going. So many cities bulldozed down their old outdated ballparks only to build bigger outdated ballparks that they also bulldozed down in time. Great photography Paul and good luck on the season.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you James! The weather forecast Sunday morning thought the snow would start Sunday evening. It really didn't start until about 9am on Monday. At least the team called the game before opening the gates. I was out of town last season opener and talking to someone this morning, they said last year people were in their seats before the game was postponed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks Mel. It's a bit of fun to find some captions to accompany the images. Glad you enjoyed.

Arca

Dear CHG CANON

I really enjoyed the nostalgia, being a displaced Chicagoan myself, now shoveling sunshine in Phoenix as opposed to snow in Chiberia. During the summer of 2016, my wife and I and two friends purchased tickets for a Sunday game in July against Houston. We lost 4-1. But, that was the year they won it all, so I can't complain too much. They were $99 each for four in a row and we were BEYOND the left field foul pole. Another Phoenician who really loves the Cubs buys great seats near the dugout and they are upward of $300 a piece. Yikes. What would Ernie, Ron, Billy, Ryan and Shauwan say now?

Regarding your shots, simply a wonderful slice of mid-west Americana.

Arca

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I was all set to watch the game this afternoon on TV in Pittsburgh. Looking at the snow in the photo's, I can see why they postponed the game.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Ched49! Until only the past few seasons, we've had problems with the Pirates no matter how good or bad your team has been. I'm a bit peeved they were scheduled for this kick-off series. The sun is shining now in the evening so maybe tomorrow will be better for an early season game.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Arca! Going to a MLB game is no longer a spur of the moment idea ... The club owners have invested a lot into renovating the stadium and threatened to move elsewhere if the City didn't allow for the changes. Some of the changes have raised some eyebrows, including the electronic billboards. But, in a few years, we'll all have trouble remembering the times before the improvements. I live just a block south of the stadium so when this morning's snow got the hardest, I headed out with camera.

Paul O Loc: Fairhope, AL

As Ernie Banks once said “Let’s play 2” !

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Only 1 today, should be dry and an almost pleasant 46F ...

Bullittjon Loc: Minnesota

Oh, well. A nice day off after beating up on the Brewers over the weekend. Go Cubbies!

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

Great shots. Thank you for sharing. If MLB insists on opening the season in late March, the games should be in California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, not Boston, Chicago, Detroit and New York.

smilenangler Loc: The Flood City, Pa.

goods stuff, Paul...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you smilenangler!