Wrigley Field History

• Babe Ruth's "called shot," when Ruth allegedly pointed to a bleacher location during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. Ruth then hit Charlie Root's next pitch for a homer.
• Gabby Hartnett's famous "Homer in the Gloamin' " September 28, 1938, vs. Pittsburgh's Mace Brown.
• The great May 2, 1917, pitching duel between Jim "Hippo" Vaughn and the Reds' Fred Toney. Both Vaughn and Toney threw no-hitters for 9.0 innings before Cincinnati's Jim Thorpe (of Olympic fame) drove in the only run in the 10th inning. Toney finished with a no-hitter.
• Ernie Banks' 500th career home run, May 12, 1970, vs. Atlanta's Pat Jarvis.
• Pete Rose's 4,191st career hit, which tied him with Ty Cobb for the most hits in baseball history. Rose singled off Reggie Patterson on September 8, 1985.
• Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout affair in 1998.
• Sammy Sosa's 60th home runs in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
• Tom Glavine's 300th career win on August 5, 2007 with the Mets.
• Cubs clinch a post-season series at Wrigley Field for the first time in franchise history, October 13, 2015, when they defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Four of the National League Division Series.
• Cubs win their first National Pennant since 1945 when they defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, October 22, 2016.
• The 1947, 1962 and 1990 All-Star Games.

Originally known as Weeghman Park, Wrigley Field was built on the grounds once occupied by a seminary.

Weeghman Park was the home of Chicago's entry in the Federal League and was the property of Charles H. Weeghman. The club was known as both the Federals and the Whales.

The cost of building Weeghman Park, which had a seating capacity of 14,000, was estimated at $250,000. The infield and outfield consisted of more than 4,000 yards of soil and four acres of bluegrass.

The first major league game at the ballpark took place, April 23, 1914, with the Federals defeating Kansas City, 9-1. The first homer in ballpark history was hit by Federals catcher Art Wilson - a two-run shot in the second inning off Kansas City's Chief Johnson.

When the Federal League folded for financial reasons after the 1915 campaign, Weeghman purchased the Cubs from the Taft family of Cincinnati and moved the club to the two-year-old ballpark at the corner of Clark and Addison streets.

The first National League game at the ballpark was played, April 20, 1916, when the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings. A bear cub was in attendance at the game.

The ballpark became known as Cubs Park in 1920 after the Wrigley family purchased the team from Weeghman. It was named Wrigley Field in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley Jr., the club's owner.

The Wrigley Field bleachers and scoreboard were constructed in 1937 when the outfield area was renovated to provide improved and expanded seating. The original scoreboard remains intact.

The score-by-innings and the pitchers' numbers are changed by hand. The numbers signaling batter, ball, strike and out, along with "H" and "E" to signify hit and error, are eyelets.

No batted ball has ever hit the centerfield scoreboard. Two baseballs barely missed - a homer hit onto Sheffield Avenue (right-center) by Bill Nicholson in 1948, and one hit by Roberto Clemente onto Waveland Avenue (left-center) in 1959.

One of the traditions of Wrigley Field is the flying of a flag bearing a "W" or an "L" atop the scoreboard after a game. A white flag with a blue "W" indicates a victory; a blue flag with a white "L" denotes a loss.

The original vines were purchased and planted by Bill Veeck in September 1937. Veeck strung bittersweet from the top of the wall to the bottom, then planted the ivy at the base of the wall.

The bleacher wall is 11.5 feet high. The basket attached to the wall was constructed in 1970.

Three flags fly on the left field foul pole: Ernie Banks' uniform No. 14, Ron Santo's No. 10 and Fergie Jenkins' No. 3. Four flags fly on the right field foul pole: Billy Williams' No. 26, Ryne Sandberg's No. 23, Greg Maddux's No. 31 and Jackie Robinson's No. 42.

Wrigley Field added lights in 1988.

The first night game took place, August 8 against Philadelphia, but was rained out after 3 1/2 innings.

The first official night game occurred, August 9 vs. New York, when the Cubs defeated the Mets by the score of 6-4.

In 2018, Wrigley Field will be celebrating its 30th year of playing host to baseball under the lights.

Wrigley Field has gone through many renovations throughout the years.

New office space was created and old offices refurbished in the administrative area behind home plate in 1981-1982, while the ticket office was built directly behind home plate in 1983.

During the winter of 1984, a new home clubhouse was completed under the third-base stands. The visitors' clubhouse was renovated in 1990.

In 1989, private boxes were constructed on the mezzanine level, formerly occupied by the press box and broadcasting booths. A press box and broadcasting booths were constructed in the upper deck directly behind home plate. Other improvements included a food court in the upper deck.

Following renovations in 1994 and 1995, there are now 63 private boxes.

An elevator was added to the third base concourse in 1996.

Following the 2005 season, the Cubs expanded the bleachers, adding a restaurant in the batter's eye and a window to Sheffield Avenue in right field.

In the winter of 2007, Wrigley Field underwent a major field renovation project to remove the field's crown, install an intricate drainage system and create a new playing surface.

Prior to the 2010 season, the back of the centerfield scoreboard was fully renovated for the first time since it was installed in 1937. Restrooms were remodeled and fitted with new fixtures, a new viewing

plaza was created adjacent to the indoor batting cage to provide fans the opportunity to watch batting practice and the PNC Club was added to the mezzanine suites down the left field line.

Prior to the 2012 campaign, the right-field Budweiser bleachers were transformed to include the Budweiser Patio. The area provided fans with a rooftop experience inside the ballpark, and added a 75-foot LED board just above the right field fence.

The restoration and expansion of Wrigley Field, known as The 1060 Project, is complete. This multi-year upgrade ensured the viability of the ballpark for future generations of Cubs fans, while preserving the beauty, charm and historic features fans have come to know and love. The 1060 Project, which started at the conclusion of the 2014 baseball season, included structural upgrades, improved player facilities, fan amenities, outfield signage, two outfield video boards, premier clubs, upper-level outdoor concourse, expanded concessions, improved restroom facilities, enhanced connectivity and Wi-Fi and more.