Wrigley Field 100th anniversary logo unveiled
CHICAGO -- The Cubs began the celebration of Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary on Saturday with the unveiling of a logo designed by Brandon Ort of New Bremen, Ohio, whose design was picked from more than 1,200 entries.
The logo will be featured as a patch on the team's home uniforms next season and on a variety of items, including collectible memorabilia and commemorative baseballs. Examples of the stamped baseballs, jersey and patch will be on display at the Cubs Authentics kiosk in Wrigley Field's main concourse, starting Saturday.
Ort's design and three other finalists in the "Wrigley Field Turns 100" logo contest were posted on Cubs.com for fans to cast their vote. Ort and guests attended Saturday's game and were honored in a pregame ceremony.
"I am excited and completely honored to have my 'Wrigley Field Turns 100' logo design selected to represent this historic ballpark in its 100th year," Ort said. "Creating the design that will be a part of Cubs and Wrigley Field history is incredibly humbling and serves as a benchmark in my career. What better way to celebrate than to watch a game at Wrigley Field today with close friends and family."
The design plays off the famous red marquee outside the ballpark's main entrance at Clark and Addison streets, and has a dark green silhouette of the light standards.
Fans eager to celebrate the ballpark's birthday can purchase official Wrigley Field 100th merchandise in special sections of the ballpark gift shops and at "The Cubs Store" on Clark Street. More than 30 different apparel styles will feature the logo, including hats, T-shirts, polo shirts and sweatshirts, as well as novelty items such as key chains, glassware, pins and pennants.
Chicago Cubs Charities also has introduced a limited-edition Wrigley Field 100th anniversary Christopher Radko ornament. Each hand-painted, hand-blown glass ornament includes the production number of the ornament purchased in the series. Ornaments are available, starting Saturday, for $55 plus shipping and fees at www.cubs.com/ornament, with proceeds benefiting Chicago Cubs Charities.
"We're very excited to unveil our official logo celebrating 100 years of Wrigley Field and to kick off what will be a season-long celebration of the past century at this beautiful ballpark," said Cubs senior marketing director Alison Miller. "Our fans will want to be here to remember and possibly re-experience many of the historic moments that occurred at Wrigley Field."
Throughout the 2014 season, the Cubs will celebrate 100 years of Wrigley Field with promotions, events and collectible memorabilia. Additional details will be revealed later this offseason, and attendees at the 2014 Cubs Convention, Jan. 17-19, will get a first look at many aspects of the celebration.