The Bleachers As They Used To Be

by Al Yellon on Feb 16, 2006 1:24 PM CST in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project

David sent me some photos taken during the 2005 season, so you can remember the bleachers the way they were for 68 years, from 1937 through 2005.

Looking at these, and knowing what's being built there now, they already seem like ancient history.

Thursday has been a usual day for me to run by the ballpark for photos -- I had to work today, so I may do that later, but right now it's raining pretty hard, with the threat of thunderstorms later this afternoon, followed by snow and wind and cold tonight.

Brrr. Enjoy these summertime photos.

Also today, ESPN.com posted their first power rankings of 2006. The Cubs rank just behind the Astros -- but both rank well behind Milwaukee.

Top: Two views outside Wrigley Field, 7/16/2005; two views of entrance ramps, 7/2/2005

Bottom: Another view of ramp, 7/2/2005; beer shack on ramp, 7/2/2005 (note sign: ATM Machine, which would stand for "Automatic Teller Machine Machine")

Photos by David Sameshima

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beautiful site

Man that looks good! I can almost taste the $5.00 Budweiser now.

by schmidthead on Feb 16, 2006 3:45 PM CST reply actions

The Brewers?

Are we really satisfied with being behind the Brewers? The BREWERS??
That's depressing.
The back-page coverage of the Cubs in the Trib sports section today got me pretty excited. I think Pierre is going to be a huge boost.

The Brewers.

by Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 16, 2006 4:10 PM CST reply actions

to say nothing

of the cardinals.

the more forecasts i read, the more i realize that my view of the cubs as a likely fourth-place team is really pretty widely held. not sure what that means.

by gaius marius on Feb 17, 2006 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe...

it means you are wrong.

Or maybe it just means nothing.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Feb 17, 2006 10:51 PM CST up reply actions

It means...

...that we're lucky the writers aren't building us up for a fall like in 2004, which is going to make it all that much more satisfying when we're in the playoffs again. I admit that I have nothing rational to base this on, though I feel we have improved since last year. I'm basing this statement solely upon a gut feeling and a hell of a lot of hope. I'm excited; it's too early to be disillusioned.

by Perkins on Feb 17, 2006 11:40 PM CST up reply actions

Those power rankings depressed me

I'll have to whip up a gallon of Cubbie Blue Kool-Aid

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 16, 2006 4:14 PM CST reply actions

Actually between 15 and 20...

....seems about right to me. 17 is believable "as is."

That being said, I suppose there is still a chance to move up before Spring Training; if there is any real chance of making a big move (and it's not just cliche' speak from the GM).

I would move closer to 15th best, maybe two steps above where ESPN rates them. But the all-important top 10........no. Can't see it.

Still plenty of time left though, Jim Hendry......
;-)

"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez

by The Jade Scorpion on Feb 16, 2006 7:04 PM CST reply actions

Wood

Wood was thorwing off a mound today, in the first day of team drills. This means his progress is good so he is moving right along.

by miamicanes on Feb 16, 2006 9:55 PM CST reply actions

Ummm . . .

No he wasn't. Long toss and throwing a little off of flat ground. He won't throw from a mound for about 7-10 more days.
He did some PFP work from the mound, but he wasn't throwing any pitches, just (pretty lamely) imitating the throwing action.

by Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 17, 2006 8:06 AM CST up reply actions

It was raining...

but thankfully it stopped. Lightning freaked all of us out in French class this morning. It was funny we were all acting like scared little kids. It wasn't pretty today. I had to walk to school in the rain, but that was fun.

But back on topic, I don't care about ESPN.com's power rankings. I think you all know who is at the top of the Sparkles' power rankings. ;)

I still find it mean to mention absolutely nothing about the team at all and just mention the bleacher expansion. They didn't mention any names at all, but oh well.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Feb 16, 2006 10:23 PM CST reply actions