Obsessive Wrigley Renovation Watch: Theo Epstein Voices Support, and Money Talks

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein yesterday talked up the plans for a Wrigley Field renovation (on the same day he was invited to celebrate Fenway Park’s 100 year anniversary, the place where he last watched an historic ballpark undergo a massive renovation).

‘‘It has a chance to affect our on-field product in a couple of ways,’’ Epstein said of a renovation, in a conversation with reporters. ‘‘One is that a renovated Wrigley will put our players in a better position to succeed, so they can prepare better, they can take care of their bodies better, with a modern clubhouse, modern training room, modern BP tunnel, modern video rooms.”

In other words: the Cubs remain at a competitive disadvantage with Wrigley Field as it stands today. And then Epstein drove the point home.

‘‘And usually a renovated ballpark leads to more revenue to pour back into the Major League team and continue to improve the product on the field.’’

Indeed. Keep stumping, Theo. This is good, and it’s a reminder of yet another reason why the Cubs’ on-field fortunes could change for the better over the next five, ten years, if only we’re patient.

There were a few good articles this week on the Wrigley Field renovation and related funding, each of which is worth a read if you’re into this issue.

  • Gordon Wittenmyer takes a long look at how a renovation of Wrigley Field, coupled with other changes in the Cubs organization, could make for a Chicago-based equivalent of the Red Sox and Yankees in the years to come.
  • Cubs players react to their trip to the new Marlin’s park, viewed in light of the possibility of renovating Wrigley Field. They don’t want a circus park, just an updated, upgraded classic.
  • Dave Wischnowsky talks about the atmosphere in Wrigleyville on game days, and specifically discusses proposed plans to close off a street or two around Wrigley on game days so that the Cubs have a street fair-like atmosphere (and revenue).
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    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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