Death Warrant for Wrigley

by frustratedfan on Apr 14, 2007 3:24 PM CDT

The USOC has signed the Death Warrant for Wrigley Field. Chicago is now committed to likely having to spend a fortune for the 2016 Olymipic Games. Very shortly the nonsense about a 75,000 seat temporary stadium in Washington Park is going to be revealed to be just that -- nonsense. (How in the world are the people going to get to or from that venue.) The next step will be a "new" Wrigley Field built in the Atlanta Model (with a large portion of it temporary for the Olympics). The question is simply going to be the location.

But the Death Warrant has been signed and now the only thing between its execution is a reprieve (and perhaps only a four year reprieve) if the IOC selects Rio.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Assumptions

Your making assumptions. No new owner would move the Cubs not only out of Wrigley, but to the south side. I'll believe this is going to happen when I see it. Until then I think we can assume that the Cubs will be playing at Wrigley.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Apr 14, 2007 3:34 PM CDT reply actions

I don't think

Guys this is not totally out of left field.

Especially with Pat Ryan rumored to be part of an ownership group.

If your Dad buys part of the team do you get to shower with the players?

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 14, 2007 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

Nonsense.

You are simply speculating based on your stated desire to see Wrigley Field gone.

In any case, I believe the IOC WILL select Rio, so this will all be moot.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 14, 2007 3:39 PM CDT reply actions

Re

You can only hope Rio gets that sadly irrelevant excuse to bilk taxpayers out of gross sums of money for private enterprise and profit known as the modern Olympics.

This is the perfect Richie scam - an even bigger project to divert tax dollars to his developer and construction buddies than Billennium Park. And of course Pat Ryan is in on it - the new funding requirements from the IOC will require substantial insurance policies which will be provided, no doubt, by AON. And King Richard's puppet in Springfield, Gov. Rod, has already committed millions for further planning and presentations.

So, instead of investing in Chicago's infrastructure, public transporation (the CTA is a mess largely because Daily refuses to adequately fund it), or neighborhoods, well more than the current estimate of five billion dollars will be spent to produce an event that lasts no more than three weeks and has dumped real sports like baseball in favor of things like synchronized swimming.

Who wins if the IOC picks Chicago? Richie and his well-connected pals. Who loses? Well, beyond the mess that Chicago will become during the actual Games, the residents of Chicago and, to a lesser extent, Illinois, as valuable tax dollars are once against wasted on the privileged few.

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by Jed Taylor on Apr 15, 2007 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

No way, no how......

the IOC selects Rio. Brazil will be home to the 2014 World Cup. That will be enough. Also, the Rio bid is short on cash.

"I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this." Sue369

by timeforachange on Apr 16, 2007 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh, please, stop it

We've talked about this before -- but the only place for a new ball park in the city of Chicago, (On the North Side) that doesn't require massive demolition is the old acreage that was the ancient Dunning Hospital -- Irving Park on the South, Narragansant on the east, Harlem on the west and Forest Preserve Drive on the North. (Oak Pk Ave Runs through the middle of this open space)

I assume this land is still under state/county ownership. Al, I've brought this up before and you had some thoughts...

In any event, there will be no new park. Perhaps a modernized Wrigley, somehow, but NOT a new ball park.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 14, 2007 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

I'm not sure...

... what that land is earmarked for. However, I'd say it is so far from expressways and public transportation, it probably is not suitable for a stadium. I imagine the people living in that area wouldn't be too happy with the idea, either.

I agree with your final statement completely. A rebuilt Wrigley Field is the best option for any new owner.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 14, 2007 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting

That's the neighborhood I grew up in and I have to admit that I never thought of that huge, empty piece of land being used for much of anything besides light industry.

Along Naragansett between Irving and Montrose, they've built a Jewel strip mall, some condos and split-level housing, the new campus of Wright Junior College, and some light industry (including Eli's Cheesecake!). Growing up, it was always conventional wisdom that the rest of the area was owned by an insane asylum. Whether it's a home for the insane or a home for those with developmental disabilities, I'm not sure anymore. My dad is a firefighter who sometimes has to respond to residents who don't know any better and pull fire alarms.

Even with all the stuff that's there now, there's enough land to build a stadium and parking lot. And I don't think the locals would object too much to having the Cubbies play in the neighborhood (where professional stadiums are built, bars, restaurants, etc. also spring up, adding money to the area). But Al is right in pointing out that the transportation infrastructure would not support a stadium being built there. Montrose Ave./Forest Preserve Drive really can't be widened much...nor can Oak Park Ave., and especially not Irving Park Road. The other major street nearby is Harlem Ave., which is always frustratingly congested. There is no easy access via the El., and the I-94 exit at Harlem is too far away to be practical.

I did enjoy the mental exercise of thinking the process through, though.

by Rev Gunia on Apr 14, 2007 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Yawn

All the children sing
All the dancers start to sway in time
The orchestra begins to play
Somebody pours the wine
The Sun and Moon collide
Isn't gravity a funny thing?
The universe explodes apart
All the children sing!

"The only place the Cubs get booed is Wrigley Field"--Brewer announcer Bill Schroeder

by Josh Timmers on Apr 14, 2007 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

Wow.

Never thought I'd see Todd Rundgren lyrics here.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 14, 2007 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

They

just seemed to fit here.

"The only place the Cubs get booed is Wrigley Field"--Brewer announcer Bill Schroeder

by Josh Timmers on Apr 14, 2007 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions

oh please

yet more shit spewing from the bitter clown's mouth. Just go away.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Apr 14, 2007 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

I'm dying a little as I write this

I don't want to agree with frustratedfan and while (in my mind) the jury's still out on the future of Wrigley, FF has brought up some negative aspects of Wrigley that are worth considering. Buildings do get old, deteriorate, become unsafe, and require tons of cash just to maintain them. It looks like he's correct in saying that the new owners of the Cubs have got to decide pretty quick whether they're going to sink money into major renovations and repairs or whether they're going to sink a comperable amount of money into building a new stadium. For many of us, the decision is a no-brainer. We all love Wrigley. I love the fact that my dad took me when I was growing up, and told me stories about when HIS dad took him. There's a lot of emotion wrapped up in Wrigley.

But then, it's not me who's going to have to make a strategic business decision about the Cub's future. Someone else is going to have to weigh the pros and cons of keeping Wrigley versus moving the Cubs. The debate may intensify in October 2009 if Chicago is chosen to host the Olympics. With an Atlanta-esque stadium funded in large part by taxpayer (ake my) money, and other corporations, it's an opportunity I'd have a hard time passing up.

I'm going through something similar in my job as Associate Pastor of a church. Our current building costs too much to heat and cool, it's too small and inhibits growth, it's not as handicapped accessible as it should be, and there are a host of other reasons to build. Neverthelss, people remember their weddings, first communions, and the baptisms and funerals of loved ones there and don't want to see it go. It makes sense to rebuild for the future, but many people's emotions say no. Some may even feel hurt and leave if we rebuild. But the vast majority will stay around--not because they like/dislike the new building, but because they like what goes on inside the building. The same is true of any proposed rebuilding of Wrigley. I'd be hurt, but it makes sense. Furthermore, I go to Wrigley not for Wrigley itself, but for what goes on inside the stadium.

by Rev Gunia on Apr 14, 2007 5:47 PM CDT reply actions

Remember..

When they said the White Sox might move to Addison, IL. I was on suicide alert because I live near Addison and everyone would be Sox fans.
This is almost as funny as that.

by gocubs40 on Apr 14, 2007 6:12 PM CDT reply actions

The biggest Olympic impact on the Cubs

The biggest Cubs impact may be losing Pat Ryan as a potential part owner.

I've known him since I was born. He's a good man and would supply the money and let the baseball people make the decisions.

He wouldn't automatically fire people just to get his people in either. If McDonough and Hendry deserve to keep their jobs they would.

If your Dad buys part of the team do you get to shower with the players?

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 14, 2007 10:15 PM CDT reply actions

Ryan would be a good owner

I agree that Ryan would be a very good choice as being a lead in an ownership group. I must add one thing, I have been in the Cubs clubouse a few times, and there is no room for anybody to shower, except the players.

by MPH73 on Apr 15, 2007 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions