Wrigley Field

Home of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago, IL
Date Opened: April 23, 1914 Chicago Federals vs. Kansas City, 9-1
Games Attended: September 24, 2023 Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies, 4-3

Location & Accessibility (0-5): 5
I don't know what exactly the neighborhood was like in 1914 when the ballpark first opened, or two years later, in 1916, when the Cubs played their first game in the historic stadium, but I can tell you now, in 2023, the ballpark and the neighborhood are interconnected as one. What would Chicago's Northside be without Wrigley and would a venue like Wrigley survived somewhere else? The answer to the latter is probably not as we have seen with so many of the other old ballparks. 

Historic Value (0-5): 5

"The Friendly Confines" of Wrigley Field have now hosted baseball games for 109 years, second only to Boston's Fenway Park. The park should almost get bonus points for historic value. It's the place where Babe Ruth called his shot in the 1932 World Series, where Ernie Banks hit his 500th homerun, where Pete Rose tied the all-time hits record at 4,191 and where Sammy Sosa chased the single season home run records in the late 90's. The Cubs most recently rose the National League Pennant, their first since 1945, and World Series Championship Banner, their first since 1908, in 2016 with a victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Originality (0-5): 5

From ivy walls, to a classic marquees and from the hand-turned scoreboard to being one of the last major league ballparks to add lights, Wrigley exudes personality and originality. The architects and team have gone to great lengths to keep the stadium modern and comfortable without losing the history.

Fans (0-5): 5
The fans were out in full force on a Sunday afternoon in September as the Cubs still had a chance to make the playoffs. It would turn out to be the last home game of the season but everyone made sure to stick around to sing "Go Cubs Go" as the team would head into the last week of the season on a six game road-trip.

Fun Factor (0-5): 5

It's not flashy, there is no slide or swimming pool but the park is historic and it's made for baseball. I loved taking pictures at the historic venue. And the afternoon at the park made my mom, someone who doesn't care much for sports, follow the rest of the MLB season right up through the World Series. I give Wrigley the full points on fun just for that.

Concessions & Restaurants (0-5): 3
To be perfectly fair, the hot-dog was just a hot dog. Prices have gotten very high throughout baseball and after a breakfast at a café just outside the park, I wasn't about to spend $12 on a beer.

My own Subjectivity (0-5): 5
Since living in Europe I don't have the opportunity to go to many baseball games, so when I saw tha Cubs were in town the same time as my cousins wedding, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go. I think I may have been looking forward to the game more than wedding in all honesty! Every dollar spent at the game was well worth it as a baseball fan and if me and the Cubs are ever in Chicago at the same time again, I'll be back.

Total Score (0-35)= 33

Criteria for "The Ballpark Series" can be found here.

And here is why I love baseball stadiums!