A Visit To The Resodding Project

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2007 1:38 PM CST in 2007 Wrigley Resodding Project

It's barely 40 degrees in Chicago today, but with the new field at Wrigley nearly done, I decided to take another visit there.

I went up to the knothole to take a couple of photos as I did on Wednesday. There was a security guard standing there; he's mostly there to make sure people walking on the sidewalk don't get run over by the forklifts coming out to get the sod and bring it inside. I wanted to stand where he was to take a photo, so I asked him if I could do that.

Instead, he motioned me inside, where I took several of the photos below. He also told me the laying of the sod will be finished tomorrow, after which they will put that "cover" on which will keep the sod warm enough to "take" during the winter. They should be finished, as they had hoped, by Thanksgiving.

Top: Rolls of sod lined up at Gate D on Addison; closeup of a roll of sod next to the wall; work being done on the infield; Roger Bossard riding the "roller" in LF

Bottom: Another view of Bossard on roller; workers in left field; closeup of LF wall and warning track

Photos by Al

(as always, click on thumbnail to view full-size in new browser window. If you are using IE, you may have to click the lower-right corner of the image in the new window to expand it to its full size; in Firefox click anywhere on the image.)

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Great pics Al !

Did it 'feel' level ?

by talkingcubs on Nov 16, 2007 1:32 PM CST reply actions

Well...

... he didn't let me walk on the field, just the edge of the warning track.

But it looks level.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2007 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

It's great to share...

a piece (or several rolls) of Colorado with the Cubs.

Now that the Cubs have spent a million dollars redoing the field, will they be intelligent enough to not host any more rock concerts?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 16, 2007 1:45 PM CST reply actions

Not if the concerts bring in

2 or 3 times that amount they won't.

40,000 at $100 a ticket equals $4,000,000. Times 2 that's $8M.

by NO100 on Nov 16, 2007 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Concerts....

first - have you ever heard anyone from the Cubs organization blame the concerts for the field condition. The only thing I've heard is that the extreme weather in August caused the field issues. That two weeks after the concerts the field was fine.

Next --- Where the heck did you come up with those numbers? I've heard that an average venue makes about half a million for a concert.

by NorthsideBlue on Nov 16, 2007 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

Disagree

"That two weeks after the concerts the field was fine."

Um...sorry. I was at the Police Concert, and at Wrigley in the first home series, post.

It was NOT fine.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 16, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

Those numbers

were just estimates and they were only revenues. It didn't take into account vending and parking either. I don't know all the expenses involved. I'm sure that the Police got a big chunk of that, insurance, a cut to the neighborhood for some improvement activities, and other costs related to putting on the show. I do find it hard to believe, though, that the net to the Cubs after all of that was still only a half million. Perhaps that is the case.

by NO100 on Nov 16, 2007 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

And to boot...

Why would anyone in the Cubs front office say anything negative about the concerts regarding the playing field? That would hurt their opportunity to run shows in the future. This is a revenue stream MLB cannot touch, within reason, that is unless an outcome of the concert renders the playing field unacceptable (e.g. '79 disco demolition at Comiskey).

While $8M gross sure seems logical, the net is much lower, we all know that. But if the Cubs can net $1M+ after all the expenses, they keep all of it; unlike revenue sharing that is in place with MLB for the games. I thought I remember hearing the Cubs have to fork over something like 30% for revenue sharing.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now teenagers are saying it. Let's change that next season!

by blackhawk24 on Nov 17, 2007 8:49 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks, Al

Those are great pictures. I've sent the links to several other Cubs fans who aren't regular readers of the blog.

by BruceR on Nov 16, 2007 2:38 PM CST reply actions

Great photos

What was it like to be inside Wrigley on a day like today with no one in the stands?

"I'm a Cubs fan. I'm very, very patient." -- from a Shoe cartoon.

by No Southern Belle on Nov 16, 2007 2:45 PM CST reply actions

Weird.

And cold. Wish I'd been able to walk a little further inside, but I didn't want to press my luck. The security guard was nice enough to let me get those pics.

Thinking further about the cold, it was 42 degrees this afternoon. That's about right for Opening Day, right?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2007 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

Sullivan's article posted 25 minutes ago

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/11/wrigley-field-p.html

3' added to the track.
No immediate intentions of adding seats.
Bears goal-post footings hauled to the dump.
Water bill is gonna be big.
Lou will now see all the action.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now teenagers are saying it. Let's change that next season!

by blackhawk24 on Nov 16, 2007 2:57 PM CST reply actions

Wow the goal-post footings were still there

I'm surprised they were still there. The Bears haven't played at Wrigley for 30+ years.

by Mordecai on Nov 16, 2007 3:07 PM CST up reply actions

I heard about the IF ones...

right down the 1B line. In fact one of them should have been very close to the 1st base bag.

But I didn't hear about the OF ones, right in front of the LF bleachers.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now teenagers are saying it. Let's change that next season!

by blackhawk24 on Nov 17, 2007 9:02 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting stuff.

The new, bigger warning track, which you can clearly see in my photos, will be a major help for the outfielders.

Well done, Mr. Bossard.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2007 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

Warning Track

Also, the warning track is surrounding the whole field, even in the bullpens. May be that would have helped Alou in 03.

by jwagner723 on Nov 16, 2007 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

Irrationally excited about the new sod

I was so jealous when I used to watch Red Sox games, because their field was so lush and so level.

I CANNOT WAIT until we have the same. I always felt like the terrible field was a blot on an otherwise unbelievable stadium.

by SouthsideCub on Nov 16, 2007 3:28 PM CST reply actions

somehow I doubt it will happend

but it think it would be cool if they mowed a different design on the field this year. Like a cubs logo behind homeplate or something.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 16, 2007 4:14 PM CST reply actions

just say no to designs in the grass.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Nov 16, 2007 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

you feel awfully strong about that huh?

i kinda like how the red sox do that in the infield.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Nov 16, 2007 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

Re Sox Logo

Does anyone know how the Red Sox striped that Red Sox logo in the infield during the World Series. Was it striping or was it paint?

by jwagner723 on Nov 16, 2007 8:46 PM CST up reply actions

It's stencils and various green paint shades

A friend of mine who lives in NH is a diehard BoSox fan (like we all are Cubs diehards) and saw it on NESN a couple years ago.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now teenagers are saying it. Let's change that next season!

by blackhawk24 on Nov 17, 2007 8:53 AM CST up reply actions

yeah, i think it's lame.

no need.

"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie

by buckmulligan on Nov 16, 2007 11:02 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks Al!!!

Do you know what happened to the padding that was on the bricks in left and right field foul territory? Maybe the enlarged warning track deemed the padding useless??? Maybe they'll plant ivy there??

I always tell the truth....Even when I lie

by calicubfan on Nov 16, 2007 5:11 PM CST reply actions

Padding

I'm guessing since they won't need it, they take it down over the winter to keep it out of the elements.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Nov 16, 2007 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

And in other news...

I'm sorry to break this to the Sam Fuld Appreciation Society but even after his solid AFL season, he didn't make BA top 20 AFL prospects. Sean Gallagher did make #18.

Here is the link:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265219.html

by rlpete on Nov 16, 2007 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Al, have you...

...ever thought of posting your pics on Wikipedia's Wrigley page? It seems to me that these, along with your bleacher expansion pics, would fit in well.

I always tell the truth....Even when I lie

by calicubfan on Nov 16, 2007 5:22 PM CST reply actions

I could, yes....

... but if you have a Wikipedia account already (I don't), feel free to do that yourself, and thanks!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 16, 2007 8:48 PM CST up reply actions

Wikipedia

something tells me you'd do a better job than I would...Perhaps inscribe BCB into each photo..BTW, thanks 4 the pics!!!

I always tell the truth....Even when I lie

by calicubfan on Nov 16, 2007 9:45 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks!

Still, all you'd have to do is put a link on the Wikipedia entry. If you have time and already have a Wikipedia account, feel free.

Same goes for anyone else here who wants to do this.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2007 4:08 AM CST up reply actions

Crawford trade discussion

...interesting back and forth on Cubs.com on whether Cubs would or should deal Hill, Cedeno, E-Patt for Crawford...I just looked up his stats didn't realize he was so powerless but steals 50 bases...interesting...I dunno how Cubs rate Fulkudome vs Crawford but I would be tempted to pull trigger on this trade if Fulk can't be signed.

Pinella is probably a Crawford backer from his time in TB...he hits for good avg. but K's a lot...just wish he had more HR power esp. if our CF options are Fuld and Pie...I don't like an OF with only one deep threat (Sori). Wonder why Crawford K's so much and yet doesn't hit HR??

by writerinwrigley on Nov 16, 2007 7:46 PM CST reply actions

My best estimates don't show a lot of...

...difference between the two of them offensively, maybe about nine runs over a whole season -- not even a whole win, and while estimating their defense here is something of a crapshoot, I don't think it'd be a big enough difference to justify the cost of Crawford (especially since Fukudome isn't worth much more than a win or three over Matt Murton to begin with).

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 16, 2007 11:21 PM CST up reply actions

I'm with you...

Especially with the high strikeouts for Crawford. There's no doubting he's a great athlete, and would definitely benefit from getting out of that situation.

HOWEVER, Hill is a solid lefty - you don't find those easily, just look at how much someone will overpay for Randy Wolfe. I also don't want them to deal young Patterson - we can't assume that because his brother couldn't develop beyond a certain point that the same problems we befall him.

This is no time to panic and dump quality young guys. Sign Fuke-daddy, or look elsewhere!

Cubs chances in '08? Beats the FUK-U-DO-ME!

by Hugest Canadian Cubs Fan on Nov 16, 2007 11:35 PM CST up reply actions