Wrigley Field Offseason Renovations

They came out with a slogan for last season, the first year of the Ricketts' Family reign over the Chicago Cubs. They called it YEAR ONE. And that year started with awful lot of renovations around the old ballpark. To the Scoreboard, The Marquee, and at Addison & Sheffield.

This year - I reckon they are calling it YEAR TWO - there has been less work done; some concrete patching here, and some painting there. On the exterior, the main renovating was done near the new home of the Billy Williams statue in the Right Field corner. They removed the old metal gates at Gate C and D and replaced them with a new set. They also did some work with the concrete and steel. Definitely less done than last year, but we appreciate the upkeep of the old girl. Please take a gander at a few of our photographs of the work.

Cubs To Sell Blizzard Snow

The Chicago Cubs are going to start selling excess snow from the Great Chicago Blizzard of 2011, a team official said today.

The idea is to let fans take home a piece of history while making a few bucks, according to Wally Hayward, chief of sales and marketing for the club.

“The Chicago Cubs are constantly trying to come up with creative ways to improve our revenue stream. And this pile of snow we had sitting around just seemed like a good fit." Hayward said

During the blizzard that hit Chicago on the evening of January 31st, the Cubs were kind enough to let roughly 250 city snow trucks dump their loads in empty parking lots. City officials have said that their next closest option would have been up on Wilson Ave. The use of Wrigley Field saved the city around half an hour in driving time, per truck.

"Where some would simply see this as an act of generosity" said Hayward "We see it as an opportunity to make some cash."

Beginning tomorrow morning, Cubs personnel will be on hand to take your money and point you to the pile. The snow will be available in one of four pricing levels.
Bronze ($25): Bring your own container (120z or smaller)
Silver ($50): Take your snow in a authentic (extra small) Cubs souvenir helmet
Gold ($100) Bring your own cooler
Marquee ($1,000) A souvenir helmet plus a snowball fight with Ronnie Woo Woo.

Hurry in for this once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Chicago and Cubs history.

Nice Glasses

Wrigley Field Tours Begin

More signs of a return for Chicago Cubs Baseball.
Today, they began running fan tours of an empty - and cold - Wrigley Field. I try to take in a tour at least once a season. I tell you what, there is just something almost more beautiful and powerful about this place when she is empty.

Twitter friend Brian Bernardoni updated everyone with some dandy photographs and some even dandier words:

The scoreboard and the seats are empty for now, and the fans who will travel to see her aren't here. . . But, she is here. And she is getting herself ready for the new season.
She doesn't primp nor pose. She is steady and strong. Since 1914 millions have come to be part of this piece of hallowed ground which preserves Americana and our National Pastime. . .

Well done @BrianBernardoni, Well Done!

Purdy Shot of the Week 8

Here's a dandy from last week.

Capturing a glorious sky, interrupted by only the iconic silhouette of Wrigley Field. . . well it speaks for itself.

Sloop Purdy