On April 23, against the Diamondbacks, the Chicago Cubs will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field, which is pretty swell. I will be in attendance (right field bleachers, as close to the bottom corner (by the LED board) as I can get), and I hope to see many of you there. Look for the blue and yellow shoes, and the cheery sense of desperation!
The first 10,000 fans get a cupcake – because it’s a birthday, you see.
There will be a giant cake – again, birthday – on display for the first few innings by the Ernie Banks statue on Clark Street.
There will be music, decor, and folks in garb reflective of the 1910s era.
Commissioner Bud Selig and folks from the families of past Cubs owners will be in attendance at a special ceremony before the game.
This one is very cool, and I’m just going to quote from the press release: “Wrigley Field is beloved by many Cubs legends and Hall of Famers, and many of these greats will return to their former positions on the field for this special occasion. Ernie Banks (SS), Glenn Beckert (2B), Andre Dawson (RF), Ryan Dempster (P), Bobby Dernier (CF), Randy Hundley (C), Fergie Jenkins (P), Gary Matthews (LF), Milt Pappas (P), Lee Smith (P), Billy Williams (LF), Kerry Wood (P) and Sam and Spencer Brown (grandchildren of Ron Santo, 3B) are scheduled to take part in an ‘Alumni Take the Field’ presentation before the ceremonial first pitch.”
The ceremonial first pitch will be using a 100-year-old ball that was actually used at Wrigley Field (then Weeghman Park) 100 years ago. Maybe someone will hit that pitch into the bleachers. And I will not throw it back.
There will be speciality food, too: “For fans who truly want to embrace the centennial atmosphere, Levy Restaurants has developed several menu items at the ballpark that trace back to popular food offerings from a century ago. Guests can take a culinary trip through time by visiting the Decade Diner, formerly the Sheffield Grill, located inside Gate D near section 142. Homestand specials for the 1910s include a classic Reuben Sandwich with pastrami, sauerkraut, house-made Louie dressing and Kraft Swiss Cheese on a marble rye bread; as well as a Breaded Pork Chop Sandwich with an herb-breaded boneless pork chop, slow-cooked onions and spicy mustard on toasted roll. The Decade Dogs stand near section 123 will serve decade-themed specialty hot dogs this season, starting with the 1910s Reuben Dog featuring a Vienna Beef hot dog, sliced corn beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese. Adults 21-and-over can quench their thirst with signature, period cocktails as well. A 1910s Weeghman Park Old Fashioned comprised of Bulleit Rye and Finest Call Old Fashioned Mix, served with an orange slice and cherry, will be offered in limited-edition souvenir glasses April 18-24 on the main concourse at section 109 and the bleacher patio in left field.”
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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