One Hundred years ago, April 23, 1914, Wrigley Field opened its doors to professional baseball. At the time, it was known as Weegham Park.
Owner Charles Weeghman purchased the Cubs when the Federal League folded in 1915 and Weeghman Park became Cubs Park in 1919.
Eventually it became Wrigley Field when owner William Wrigley Jr. bought the team in 1926.
The vines were purchased and planted in 1937 by Bill Veeck. It would be the park known for day baseball, until lights were eventually constructed in 1988.
The team is now owned by the Ricketts family, which purchased the Cubs in 2009 for $845 million. They’re hoping to start a $500 million renovation at Wrigley Field.
Along the way, there’s been nothing but history. Ernie Banks clubbed his 500th home run at Wrigley. Hack Wilson drove in his 190th and 191st runs there. Pete Rose added career hit number 4,191. Kerry Wood struck out 20 Astros, Greg Maddux picked up his 3,000th career strikeout at the Friendly Confines, just to name a few.
Only Fenway Park is older than Wrigley Field. It’s the Party of the Century this season and today, the second oldest park in the majors, celebrates 100 years as the Cubs get set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Video courtesy of MLB!