Keep The Wrigley Name

by NWIowaCubFan on Mar 17, 2008 12:07 PM CDT

Hail Cub Fans,

Carrie Muskat posted this on her latest fan-mail column over at Cubs.com. Forgive me if it's been previously mentioned. There is now a website dedicated to preserving the hallowed name of Wrigley Field. Slide on over to www.keepitwrigley.org and sign the petition. All for one!

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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no reason to sign a petition, if the name has Bank of America or AT&T in front of it that is fine by me. It will still be Wrigley Field to me and at least the place will be renovated.

by rtraugs25 on Mar 17, 2008 12:29 PM CDT reply actions

With all due respect

I read through the petition and read how some people will boycott the field yada yada etc etc.

Honestly if 25% of "CUB" fans boycotted the stadium Id be even more greatful to whoever buys the naming rights, therefore I can get tickets to a Sunday Cards game without having to do some7 months in advance.

Dont get me wrong, I LOVE WRIGLEY, I am just more tied to performance on the field than anything else. I want a winning ballclub.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 17, 2008 12:29 PM CDT reply actions

Performance and Naming Rights

I feel that a false dichotomy has emerged, whereas, if you really want the Cubs to win, then you must not care about the name of the stadium etc.

I don't buy for a minute that selling the naming rights will add to the product on the field, remember, that it is Zell who will sell the naming rights, then promptly sell the team and the stadium. This is about Zell getting richer.

The part of the naming debate that concerns me the most is that I believe that in the end this will hurt the Cubs. The man making this decision has ZERO long term interest in the Cubs. If selling the naming rights could net him a few bucks, but would then hurt the Cubs down the road, he couldn't care less, and that worries me.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Mar 17, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Vigorous Hand-Clapping!

N/T.

by markleonette on Mar 17, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Another thing

Isn't it oxymoronic to say that you don't care if he sells the naming rights because you care more about performance, but acknowledging that it may impact the demand for tickets at Wrigley, and thus hurt the product on the field?

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Mar 17, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope people boycott I agree with Hammer. People say they will boycott, blah, blah, blah, but it won't happen and if it does great hopefully 15000 people do. Then I can get season tickets.

by rtraugs25 on Mar 17, 2008 12:34 PM CDT reply actions

You mean like a JUMBO SHRIMP

My point is that I love the Cubs I love Wrigley I love everything that is Cub. I want them to keep the name but in now way will it ever effect me watching games, going to games or loving the team.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 17, 2008 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly.

It's just a name. Does anyone really think that people will call it by whatever corporate name is picked? I sure won't.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 17, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Sure, every announcer

Just like the Wherever the Hell they Play Angels.

Honestly, everytime I hear the Angels mentioned I snicker/laugh at how ridiculous they sound. I would rather the Cubs not sound equally ridiculous when Wrigley is mentioned.

Do we really not think that the Cubs consistently being mentioned, along with the BoSox, as having the best stadium has a positive impact on this club? Do we really not think that the negative publicity/sell-out feel that such a corporate name would have wouldn't have a negative impact?

I am not saying that this is the most important issue facing the Cubs. I am not saying that this will in any way impact the amount of dedication I have the the Cubs. But, I am saying that I think it is a horrible idea, and that pretending it doesn't matter because nobody will care or notice is just wrong. This is different than the Bud-bleachers, the UnderArmor doors, and the as-yet-to-be-named new seats. This is the Marquee, this is the stadium itself. Yes, people will notice.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Mar 17, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Just like the South Side Stadium

I still call US Cell, Comiskey Park, it will always be Comiskey. It is just a name I agree with that. Wrigley Field will always be Wrigley Field with or without a corporate name. No matter the name I will always go there to watch the Cubbies play and that's who I care about.

by rtraugs25 on Mar 17, 2008 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

This is the first time in years

I have heard someone refer to the White Sox ballpark as Comiskey. Most call it The Cell. If the official name is not Wrigley Field, announcers, newspapers, etc. will not refer to it as Wrigley Field. It's as simple as that. Networks that have rights to baseball are not going to upset the people they are covering.

by markleonette on Mar 17, 2008 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Wrigley Field will always be Wrigley Field...

...only some company will pay millions for the privilege to have their name and logo inserted on the front end. I could care less if the joint is officially labeled something like "Motorola Ballpark at Wrigley Field." It won't change my experience at the ballpark. Diehard Wrigley faithful care about one thing....WINNING a World Series.

by MDBNIU on Mar 17, 2008 6:37 PM CDT reply actions

Boycott?

Boycotting will only hurt the team and yourself. Don't punish yourself over stupid corporate decisions. I dont want the name changed either. If they are going to do it at least just name the stadium. AT&T Stadium. NO ONE will call it by the stadium name anyway. Stadium and Field...two different things. Problem is I'm sure there will be a giant ugly sign saying ATT STADIUM ruining the stadium. The Under Armour logos in the outfield is bad enough. DAMN I hope Wrigley doesnt turn into a dang NASCAR, covered in logos and sponsors.

by Keystone80435 on Mar 17, 2008 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

just my opinion....

I do care though. The reason I love Wrgley is cuz of the simpleness. Hardly any advertising. I almost puked when I was the under armor logos. I love the old time scoreboard and no big screen. I've been to other stadiums and the advertising is horrible. The big screen takes away from the game. At Wrigley you watch the game becuase there are no other destractions. I mean Comisky is a joke to me. The giant scoreboard has 7 advertisements on it. And the pinwheels are like i'm at a circus. And the fireworks? Come on! I dont need to see fireworks when a SOX hits a solo hr in the 5th inning when they are losing by 8.

I dont want Wrigley to turn into a billboard and thats what I'm afraid will happen if they sell the naming rights.

by Keystone80435 on Mar 17, 2008 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions

It won't.

Naming rights are just that -- the right to tack a name on the marquee. It doesn't give the corporate sponsor any right to put up huge advertising signs, billboards, etc. such as you'd see at the Cell or Miller Park.

If that's what everyone is worried about, I think you can stop worrying.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 17, 2008 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions

yea but..

if the ownership is willing to sell the naming rights what will stop them from selling everything that doesnt have a logo on it? I heard they might put billboards up behind the bleachers. Any truth to that rumor?

Anyways. I'm over reacting like most. I just want to be freezing my butt off on the 31st in the bleachers. I cant wait.

by Keystone80435 on Mar 17, 2008 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions

No, that's just a rumor.

There ARE new ad signs going up on the facing of the upper deck. To which I say: "Yawn." Who cares? Watch the game on the field.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 17, 2008 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Who cares

Do you go to Wrigley to read the advertisements or to watch the Cubs play? The reality of modern day sports is that every last ounce of marketing and promotional revenue dollar is going to be wrung out the ballpark.

I've been going to games at Wrigley since 1977. Back in the late 70s Wrigley was a dusty albeit charming ballpark in the middle of a working class neighborhood. Then in 1982 the Tribune Company bought the Cubs and hence began the era of unlocking the financial potential of Wrigley. No more $1.50 bleacher seats. But yes to Harry Caray, Steve Stone, Arne Harris and Marla Collins. Fast forward to the 90's and Wrigley is transformed once more via the remarkable transformation of Wrigleyville into the land of million dollar condos and something called yuppies. Now hits the new millenium and Wrigley experiences skyrocketing ticket prices that wind up reshaping the crowd away from the bleacher bums of the past to a more well-heeled crowd to go along with the crush of frat boys and pretty females with cell phones glued to their ear.

The point? Change has always been a part of Wrigley. If you don't like the changes, then consider the alternative. Like a gleaming shopping mall ballpark in some God awful place like Schaumburg.

by MDBNIU on Mar 17, 2008 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

AMEN

AMEN AMEN

by rtraugs25 on Mar 17, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Boycotting will do nothing to the Cubs

Boycotting will not hurt the Cubs one bit. Fans who don't normal go to games who are just as passionate about the Cubs will take the boycotting fans places. The scoreboard, marquee, ivy and outside walls are staying, they can't remove the marquee because of Wrigley's landmark status. Wrigley will not turn into a billboard the rooftop sight lines are staying too.

by rtraugs25 on Mar 17, 2008 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions