Donate A Beer

Let me tell ya, we don't run this here blog for any compensation. We do it because we love Wrigley Field, we love the Cubs, and it sure the heck beats taking a greeter job down at the Wal-Marts.

From time to time we have had some kind folks tell us they really enjoy this site and that they'd love to buy us a beer sometime. Well, the youngster thinks he figured out a way to make that happen.

On the off chance that anyone out there actually wants to buy us a cold one, you can click one this here button below and have at it. Be sure to leave us a comment so we know who to thank.

Thank you kindly and Go Cubs.

Purdy Photo: chicaGO CUBS GO

I call this photograph: chicaGO CUBS GO

I am not certain if they did this on purpose or not, but I must say: It did catch me off guard.

I swear I have looked up at that marquee hundreds if not thousands of times. . . and yet, it was as if I was looking at it for the very first time. Glorious, really.

A look at this year's off-season work at Wrigley Field (Photos)

The talk of the town continues to be future renovations of Wrigley Field and the supposed $500 million worth of work they plan to do over the next 5 years. All that's well and good but there was still work to do done this off-season. Each year they say the Ricketts Family spends about $10 million in upkeep; for concrete work, repainting, and improvements here and there.

Here are a few of the tasks we caught them in the act of this past winter:

1. A new field:

Wrigley's Field - as bald as a baby (via globetrotscott)

It sure seems like they did this just a year or two ago, but they decided to re-do the entire playing surface. Hopefully some of our bad luck was replaced as well.


2. A new row behind home plate:

Again, this was something they did just a few years back - when they added 3 new rows. Apparently they felt they should squeeze some more high priced seats in - 56 seats to be exact.

Along with the work to move in the brick backstop, they created a removable section of brick just to the outfield side of the home dugout. This will allow for more room when they try to bring more football games to Wrigley Field - and hopefully avoid this


3. The Scoreboard spiffed up

Boy, we sure did enjoy watching them open up the old scoreboard. With the new paint job, she looks just dandy and ready for Opening Day.

Go Cubs.

Purdy Photo

I've convinced the boys here at Wrigley Blog to try and add a little class to this whole "documenting" idea. Instead of throwing together a few reactionary shots of some random event this is an attempt to bring something of thought and of beauty to this site. I've always been inspired by the majesty of Carleton Watkins, haunted by the shear truth of Timothy O'Sullivan, and ever delighted by the subtle charm of William Henry Jackson. These photographers are my heroes. Like them I work in sunlight and in film; in the cloud covered days and the dark quiet nights. Wrigley Field is my chosen canvas, and I sure do hope you enjoy these photographs; both today and beyond.

Sloop Purdy

Combo Deal

You know what? Maybe I'm missing something.

Maybe the Ricketts' braintrust really is onto something.

Maybe they are simply looking for just the right combination of oversized japanese car ads and clownish cheese noodles with less of those pesky "traditions" the rest of us Wrigley Field fans have come to love.

Maybe if they fiddle with this thing long enough they can figure out a way to turn the season around. Hell, burn down the ivy and we might just win the World Series!!!

Or maybe. . . this some sorta sick joke.

HANK

The Wave At Wrigley Field - My Response

Who did the Wave? Was it a bunch of White sox fans who got lost on the north side?

It's over, bulldoze it and build some more condos. I guess I can die knowing that I was there when it was real, fun, and not another circus that's about everything but baseball. I am sick. They can put up all the Japanese corporate advertising they want, I have TOTALLY LOST ALL HOPE.

SO READY TO NOT BE ON THIS PLANET ANYMORE

HANK