Wrigley Field is home of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Opened in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest MLB ballpark. Boston ‘s Fenway Park (1912) is the oldest. Wrigley Field stands in the Lakeview community area in Chicago , Illinois . The Cubs have played at Wrigley Field since 1916.
Wrigley Field is in a mixed commercial and residential neighborhood called Wrigleyville on the north side of Chicago. The ballpark is famous for its ivy-covered brick outfield walls; its iconic red marquee at the corner of Clark and Addison streets; its large hand-operated scoreboard in centerfield; and its ever-changing winds affected by nearby Lake Michigan . For many years, Wrigley Field was also known for its schedule exclusively made up of day games. Lights were not installed at the ballpark until 1988, long after night games were being played at other MLB stadiums.
Center field at Wrigley Field is 400 feet (122 meters) from home plate and the power alleys are 368 feet (112 meters) deep. The left field foul pole is 355 feet (108.2 meters) from home plate; the right field pole is 353 feet deep (107.6 meters). Wrigley Field holds 41,160 spectators, but many fans also watch Cubs games from the rooftops of adjacent buildings. Cubs legend Ernie Banks gave the ballpark a lasting nickname when he welcomed people to the “Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field.
Wrigley Field opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park. It was named for Charles Weeghman, owner of the ballpark’s first residents, the Chicago Whales baseball club of the Federal League. The Federal League ceased operations after the 1915 season, and Weeghman purchased the Cubs, who had been playing at a ballpark known as West Side Grounds. The Cubs began playing at Weeghman Park in 1916. By 1920, Weeghman had given up ownership of the Cubs, and the stadium was known as Cubs Park. Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley bought the Cubs in 1921, and the ballpark was renamed Wrigley Field in 1927.
The Chicago Bears of the National Football League played at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970. College football games, professional hockey and soccer games, rock concerts, and many other events have also been held at Wrigley Field.
