History of: Wrigley Field

If you're a Cubs fan, you undoubtedly have warm feelings about the ballpark known as "the Friendly Confines". When you see those iconic ivy-covered walls and watch the Cubbies take the field under the lights, your heart starts beating fast and you know that it's time for baseball in Wrigleyville.

In fact, Wrigley Field is so iconic that there's a live feed of the outside of the stadium that runs 24/7, called the Wrigley Field Cam. How much do you actually know about the history of your beloved ballpark? Without further ado, here's a timeline that summarizes the most impactful events in the 100+ year history of Wrigley Field.

From 1912 to the Present

1914 - Wrigley Field was built, 2 years after historic Fenway Park in Boston, originally called Weeghman Park after owner Charles H. Weeghman

1920 - The Wrigley family bought the stadium from Weeghman, renaming it Cubs Park

1921-1970 - The Chicago Bears played their home games at Wrigley Field, one of a number of football teams to share a playing field with baseball teams at the time

1926 - The Wrigley family renamed the stadium again, giving it the famous name that it still holds today

1932 - Perhaps the most legendary moment in baseball history, Babe Ruth came to Wrigley Field and famously "called his shot" before hitting a home run to the exact area of the park where he had pointed before the pitch was thrown

1937 - Before this year, the walls of Wrigley were bare brick, unrecognizable to anyone that knows them as they are today. 1937 was when Bill Veeck planted vines along the outfield wall

1981 - 2005 - When the Tribune purchased Cubs, Wrigley Field renovations were frequent, taking place throughout the 80s and 90s and culminating in an expanded bleachers project in 2005. After the most recent Wrigley Field renovations, the Wrigley Field capacity topped out at 41,160 Cubs fans

1982 - The tradition of legendary commentator Harry Carey singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" began when the White Sox press staff (Carey was announcing games for the Cubs' crosstown rivals at this point) turned on the stadium intercom without Carey's knowledge while was singing the song in the press box. When Carey took his now iconic role with the Cubs in 1982, he brought this tradition and it was an immediate hit with Cubs fans

1988 - Lights were first installed at Wrigley Field, finally allowing night games to be played there. The Cubs were one of the last teams in the majors to have lights installed at their park, due in part to a city ordinance banning night games for fear of disturbing the residents of the Wrigleyville neighborhood

he 1990s - Owners of the apartment buildings nearby the stadium built bleachers on the roofs and started to charge the public to watch the games. The Cubs would eventually strike a deal with these enterprising building owners and agreed that for a cut of the proceeds, they would let it continue

2016 - The Cubs won their first world series since 1908 before Wrigley Field was constructed

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