Wednesday’s contest between the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field marks an historic occasion. The first game at the Friendly Confines was played April 23, 1914 between the Federal League's Chicago Whales and Kansas City Packers. Wrigley Field was then known as Weeghman Park (after Whales owner Charles Weeghman) and the Whales folded two years after the stadium opened. Weeghman bought the Cubs, moved them to Chicago and renamed Weeghman Park Cubs Park from 1920 to 1926. Cubs Park was rechristened Wrigley Field after team owner and chewing gum kingpin William Wrigley, Jr. bought the Cubs from Weeghman
Wrigley Field, of course, has been home to nearly a century of futility for the Cubs. The 1945 World Series between the Cubs and Detroit Tigers is believed to have put a curse on the team when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a game because his pet goat's odor offended fans. Sianis allegedly said as he left the ballpark, "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more." Never mind the team was in a 37-year title drought by then, in the years since Sianis' declaration numerous events have been held to lift the curse. None have worked and many superstitious Cubs fans still point to the ballclub's collapses in 1969, 1984 and the "Bartman Game" of 2003 as evidence the curse still exists.
Wrigley Field wa home to the Chicago Bears between 1921 and 1970; the Bears’ won eight NFL championship, which remain the only major sports titles won at the Friendly Confines. It famously hosted the 2009 NHL Winter classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Redwings.
It also served as the home of the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals and the Chicago Sting of the North American Soccer League.
Wrigley Field still remains one of the best-kept fields in baseball with its iconic ivy-covered walls and bleachers. Its hand-operated scoreboard, first installed in 1937, is a throwback to the early days of the game even as the stadium itself crumbles and is in need of repair. It's the third-largest tourist attraction in Illinois and hosts myriad of other baseball events. In recent years it's become a haven for summer concerts. Whenever the Ricketts family begins their renovation plan, the ballpark will be able to last another century with modern upgrades.
