Wrigley Field: A Truly American Experience
Written: Apr 16 '01
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Pros: Great baseball atmosphere, a must-visit for any true baseball fan
Cons: Inconvenient ramps, few restrooms, post-game L-train experience
The Bottom Line: If you ever have a chance to go to Wrigley Field, don't hesitate. It is one of the few remaining classic sporting venues.
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| shockwave180's Full Review: Wrigley Field |
When your team hasn't won squat since 1908, you have to find other things to brag about, and that is exactly what Chicago Cubs fans have in Wrigley Field. Words cannot do justice to it; it is a true gem.
Two years ago I was able to attend a game at Wrigley while I was visiting Chicago. We took the L-train to the game (there's a station right by the ballpark) and when we got off, we were almost in another era. The streets outside Wrigley have a very old-time feel, with the brown-brick houses and the many baseball memorabilia shops. When you enter the stadium and first see the field, the adrenaline rush is incredible. This is truly one of the hallowed grounds of baseball.
Convenient? Well, no...
Our seats were in the upper deck (there are only two levels, lower and upper) and getting to the upper level is somewhat of an accomplishment. I counted seven steep ramps that you have to trudge up to get to the second level. Once you've reached the tunnel leading out to the seats, you then have to climb more steps to get to your row. These steps are very steep. For me, all this wasn't a big deal, but to my aging grandmother, this was somewhat akin to a Mt. McKinley ascension. There is only one ladies' and one mens' room on the entire upper level. Obviously, this is not the most convenient setup, especially given the level of beer consumption at Wrigley.
These inconveniences, however, simply reflect a simple fact of Wrigley Field: it is old. After all, it was built in 1914, well before ballparks and architects had the technology to cater to the fans.
Concessions: the bare necessities.
In contrast to the new ballparks which are opening every year in other cities, in which there are entire food courts with practically every dining option from pizza to calimari to tequila, Wrigley Field concession stands espouse the "less is more" philosophy. You can get four main things at a Wrigley concession: hot dog, pretzel, soda, and beer. And beer. Did I mention beer?
Yes, beer is remarkably prevalent at Wrigley. Actually, I was beginning to wonder at times whether all fans were required by law to be drinking beer while on Wrigley Field premises. (Usher: "Excuse me, sir, you don't seem to have any beer." Fan: "Uh, no, I was waiting until the end of the inning." Usher: "Hmmm. A likely story. Security!") (Usher: "Ma'am, I notice you aren't sharing your beer with that child of yours. You are of course aware that all fans must be consuming an alcoholic beverage while on the premises?" Mother: "But sir, he's only five!" Usher: "That's a perfect age to start. Now get him chugging, or you'll have to remove him from the premises.")
Anyway, the hot dogs are very good, some of the best that I've ever had at a ballpark.
Post-game
The post-game experience wasn't quite as idyllic. For one thing, you have to get down all seven of those ramps, which are now jammed with people who all have the same idea. Second, you have to get down the three blocks or so to the L-train station (again, not easy since thousands of fans have the same intention), and third, it's hot. It was 95 degrees with 80 percent humidity the day we went. Once inside the station, you have to bump and jostle your way through the turnstiles without getting separated if you're in a group, all the while trying to ignore the wide variety of choice language being thrown around, some of which may or may not have been directed at you, depending on who you just accidently bumped into.
A note about parking: there is a reason nearly everyone takes the train to Wrigley Field. There is almost no parking near the stadium, and what little there is goes for premium prices. Take the L-train instead.
Well, it's worth it.
These quirks, inconveniences and annoyances do not detract from the overall Wrigley Field experience, however. The old-fashionedness of the ballpark, the ivy on the brick walls, the celebrity singing of the seventh-inning stretch, all make for a magical atmosphere. Cubs fans are, by the way, some of the most dedicated and longsuffering in all of sports. Their team hasn't even been to a world series since 1945, but they still show up at every game and cheer their hearts out. The game we went to was on a Tuesday afternoon in mid-August, and the Cubs were in their usual last place position and were in the midst of a terrible slump. Still, the fans were there, they were loud, and they were vocal.
Of course, the beer probably had something to do with it...
Conclusion
Every person who calls themself a baseball fan or even a sports fan in general should visit this park at least once. It is one of last great sporting venues in the world.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: What A Nightmare
Seat Location: Upper Deck
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Epinions.com ID:
shockwave180
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Member: Donny Baarns
Location: Sylmar, CA
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 27 members
About Me:
They may destroy our buildings, but they will never destroy our soul. God Bless America.
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