Must see Monday: Wrigley Field

Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, no trip to Chicago is complete without visiting Wrigley Field.

Nestled on the corner of Clark and Addison, Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is the second-oldest stadium in

Wrigley Field is known for its old-time atmosphere
Photo by Stephanie Lynn

Major League Baseball, just two years behind Boston’s Fenway Park. This historic ballpark will turn 100-years old during the 2014 baseball season.

Even though the Cubs haven’t won a World Series in 105-years, a visit to Wrigley Field feels like you’re going back in time to watch a baseball game back in the old days with its classic traditions.

The stadium has a number of iconic features that sets itself apart from other ballparks:

• The green ivy that covers the outfield wall
• The hand-operated scoreboard in center field
• The bright red “Welcome to Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs” sign at the front gates
• The ‘W’ and ‘L’ flag that is raised on top of the scoreboard to signal if the Cubs won or lost a game
• The singing of “Go Cubs Go” after each Cubs win
• The traditional organ music playing between innings
• The “party section” also known as the Bleachers

While Wrigley Field is famous for its old-fashion feel for baseball, there’s also a negative factor associated with the stadium: curses.

That’s right, the Cubs and Wrigley Field are supposedly cursed by a goat. According to the Billy Goat Tavern, William “Billy Goat” Sianis

Superstition claims that William Sianis cursed the Cubs in 1945 when he was not allowed to bring his goat into a Cubs game
Photo from billygoattavern.com

tried to enter a Cubs World Series game at Wrigley Field in 1945 and brought his pet goat along for good luck. Billy was allowed into the game, however, his goat was not. This upset Billy so much that he started to yell, “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more. The Cubs will never win a World Series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field.” After that incident, the Cubs lost the remainder of their games in the World Series and were officially declared “cursed” because of the goat. Since that fateful day, the Cubs have yet to make an appearance in the World Series, let alone win. These never-ending losing seasons have earned the Cubs the nickname the “Lovable Losers.”

Whether you believe in the curse or not, Wrigley Field is still adored by baseball fans everywhere.

Chicago resident Jill Jedd loves the simplicity of Wrigley Field.

“It’s a true baseball park,” she said. “You aren’t entertained with hot dog races, mascots running around, fancy food, fireworks…it’s all baseball.”

Jedd has even introduced her young daughter to the wonders of Wrigley Field.

“Addison was carried into Wrigley when she was 8 months old…and I remember the look on her face was pure wonder,” she said.

Even today, Jedd’s daughter enjoys going to Cubs games and especially enjoys singing “Go Cubs Go” at the end of a winning game.

“She can sing every word to it, and that’s one of the reasons she wants to stay until the very last out ,” she said.

Between the friendly atmosphere, the feeling of old-time baseball, and of course, the die-hard Cubs fans, Wrigley Field is one of the greatest sights Chicago has to offer. Just don’t be too surprised if the Cubs don’t win.