Why Wrigley Field Is My Favorite MLB Ballpark

The history. The recent modernization. The Neighborhood. Why the Chicago Cubs' ballpark is always special despite the Cubs' usual futility.

Wednesday, February 22nd

Source: Google Images

Our nation's pastime features many beautiful ballparks, each carrying its own identity. I have had the opportunity over the years to visit 13 of the league’s 30 ballparks, and am looking forward to visiting Busch Stadium and Target Field next to officially have seen half of the parks. While I love all of the leagues ballparks for various different reasons; Monument Park at Yankee Stadium, the Green Monster at Fenway Park, the warehouse at Camden Yards as “The ballpark that changed baseball”, and the stunning Pittsburgh skyline backdrop at PNC Park (to name a few); there is one park that is my favorite and stands above the rest. As a disclaimer, I will always have bias in my heart for Yankee Stadium as a die-hard Yankees fan that grew up going to games at the new Stadium. However, for the purpose of this blog I am setting biases aside.

The ballpark that is my favorite is Wrigley Field. When you think of Wrigley and the Cubs, one word that comes to mind is history. It is the site of were Babe Ruth called his shot. Ditto for the infamous Billy Goat. In many facets, the Cubs are the “lovable losers” of baseball lore, even despite the 2016 World Series Championship that saw them defeat the Cleveland Guardians in a memorable seven game series. Especially with the recent modernization of the park that saw upgrades featuring a brand new scoreboard, renovated concourses, and the preservation of some of the famous Wrigley Rooftops, the ballpark epitomizes the perfect mix of said modernization and history. At Wrigley, whether the Cubs are awful like most seasons or great, the fans are loyal and support their team through thick and thin.

Along with the perfect blend of modernization and history, Wrigley Field is in what I think is the best neighborhood in all of baseball. It is beautiful and in the best part of Chicago. Alongside the ballpark, there are shops, restaurants, nice apartment buildings, and nice houses. The neighborhood is safe and does great business. Outside the stadium, there is the famous “Welcome to Wrigley Field” sign that depicts the Cubs and their opponent every game. The scoreboard is old fashioned which is special and keeps live updates for fans outside throughout the duration of the game. It has been in use for over a century. Furthermore, inside the stadium the ivy is a must see; especially when full grown as the baseball season heads into full swoon and into the dog days of August. Balls are known to infamously get stuck in the ivy, leading to the disgust of many outfielders and ground rule doubles. Also, the scoreboard within the stadium, similar to Fenway Park, is manual which adds to the human aspect to the game. The Rooftops, while diminished in recent years despite numerous lawsuits against the Ricketts family, still remain in some capacity and are a popular, expensive draw for tickets.

Picture from a game I attended in person in April 2022

Overall, I have always enjoyed my time at Wrigley Field. The ballpark is a must-see for every baseball fan, and I guarantee that you will not leave Wrigley Field bored. There are many iconic landmarks, passionate fans, and a palpable positive energy that is indescribable. Besides Fenway Park, it is the oldest ballpark in the league that has been around since World War I. Wrigley is a national treasure, and should be appreciated as such. Despite over a hundred years of the Cubs being largely irrelevant, the ballpark still draws near sell outs every game which speaks to how it itself is always a draw. While I will not be chanting “Go Cubs Go” in any capacity anytime soon, I have a deep appreciation for Wrigley and am excited to hopefully get back there again soon this upcoming 2023 season.