Wrigley Field... An Apology...

by Endrick on Aug 21, 2011 4:02 PM CDT

Some of you may have read of my dislike and even sometimes outright hate for Wrigley Field in the past...

I've complained about the lack of highway access, lack of parking, the ramps inside, the lousy sight lines from the handicapped seating and a host of other problems. Well just 2 weeks ago I got tickets to the Cubs/Nats game for the day they dedicated the statue to Ron Santo. I made sure and got tickets for myself and my buddy in the bleachers.

Now a few things changed from the last time I was at Wrigley. I'm not living in the NW burbs anymore I'm in Evanston now so getting there on the red line solved the getting there and parking problem so that was good, but I was still a bit skeptical about the seats.

I'd like to now apologize to Wrigley Field and the Cubs for years of rants.

The new (to me) bleachers seats are FANTASTIC... I take back all the bitching and moaning I've done for years.

I'm getting ahead of myself though...

We got there early and wandered around the area a bit, stopped at Cubs World and took a walk around the park. Some things have definitely changed around the park and there is more parking now... Not much more but since we took the Purple/Red line from Evanston I didn't need to worry about it. However... DAYUM am I glad I didn't have to drive since the parking was $35 for the day...

My buddy and I are both in chairs so we needed a good spot to see the statue dedication from and found a good place right inside the Captain Morgan club on the ramp that leads in from patio area. This turned out to be a good choice since it was right where the players, FO and VIP's walked by.

Here's a picture of Pat Hughes I took as he was signing a book for the man
next to me and the view we had from the ramp in the Captain Morgan club.

After the ceremony we headed in from the clubs inside entrance and over to the bleacher entrance. There's a nice big elevator that takes you up to the bleachers that opens up facing the buildings across the street. Just to the left of the elevator is a nice, clean, large handicapped bathroom and the alcohol wristband checkpoint. Continuing towards the right field corner you have a few more vendors and the back of the taller section of the right field bleachers and then as you reach the end of that taller section it open up to this view...

you can really see the damage that the McCartney concert did to the right field corner

The line of sight from the seats is fantastic. First off the people in front of you are 10 feet below you so it doesn't matter if they stand, sit or do jumping jacks. The area is wide, level and perfect and we even had some of the greeters stop by to check on us.

I will definitely be going back more often for bleacher seats and if I could afford it I'd be getting season tickets.

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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Good for you.

I hope you can make it to the park more.

by Grockcubs on Aug 21, 2011 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

$35 parking

looking at the people across the street from me struggle to get $20.

The lady was out there yesterday at 5 PM still trying to flag people in. It was the bottom of the 4th inning. I wanted to yell at her.

I’ve always been fascinated by the people selling the parking. Mrs. Fukudometer and I have run the numbers:

81 games x 2 garage parking spots x $20/spot = $3240 total

They are out there 2 hours before the game and 1 hour after the first pitch (on average) = 243 hours….

Grand total: $13.33.hr.

I don’t get it.

Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08

by Fukudometer on Aug 21, 2011 5:24 PM CDT reply actions

Nothing changed my Wrigley experience more than learning where to park

Day games, park for free on the streets west/sw of the park. Night games, Lane Tech. To think I used to pay $20 a game to park.

Angel Guzman is the man.

by cubzfan on Aug 22, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

The problem with alternate parking is...

I have a Chevy G20 Van… It’s Huge and I have a wheelchair lift on it. The time or two I did use the alternate parking sites around Wrigley the people running it would double, triple and Quadruple park other cars around it.
After one game I waitied nearly 90 minutes after the game was over to get into my van cause the owner of the car blocking my lift decided to get some dinner after the game and a few more beers.

Speachless...

by Endrick on Aug 22, 2011 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I liked reading this story.

Well done, sir.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 21, 2011 5:52 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Agreed

Good job, Tom...now on to the manager problem.

by Easy Ed on Aug 21, 2011 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Three words:

Park and Ride. If it’s convenient for you, go to Pace’s Northwest Transportation Center (just south of Woodfield Mall) and you can travel in air-conditioned comfort both ways. Cost: $4 each way.

Highly recommended.

Minor League Contributing Writer, Athletics Nation.

State high point count: 4/50

If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge for putting up with you.

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 21, 2011 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

Good to know but...

Living in Evanston now I can walk(roll) the mile to the purple line, switch at the Howard to the red line and be there in 30 mins…

Speachless...

by Endrick on Aug 21, 2011 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions

That's about the only way I go if I'm leading the charge.

I know where to park around and between Noyes and Foster so when I leave my car, I know it’s semi-safe and I won’t get a ticket/towed. Weekend games I park at Evanston Hospital when it’s free on the weekend. Except for the last time when I stepped in a nice pile puke, I’ve always liked riding the L to and from the city.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Aug 22, 2011 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I was there recently on crutches.

After scanning my ticket to enter someone quickly came over asking if I needed a wheel chair or any assistance. I declined, but was very impressed that they asked.

Nice post. Happy to hear you had such a good time. I was there that night too and it was a fun game.

WWFCD?

by katie casey on Aug 21, 2011 7:08 PM CDT reply actions

Oh... I forgot the other cool parts...

This was the first night game for me… My first actual winning game and I met Al…

Speachless...

by Endrick on Aug 21, 2011 8:05 PM CDT reply actions

2 out 3 ain't bad.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 21, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 6 recs

Sweet woman

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza

by RiskyBusiness on Aug 22, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Doggie Stalker with the slam!

I like it!

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 22, 2011 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I think you owe me a Big Gulp for that one.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 22, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I think I was standing right by you for the ceremony.

#10 You will be missed.

by Bricks and Ivy on Aug 21, 2011 8:17 PM CDT reply actions

I was the short round guy

in the wheelchair in the Castro T-shirt…

Speachless...

by Endrick on Aug 21, 2011 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw a couple of guys in a wheel chair behind me I think. I was the guy (25 yrs old)

in my blue Santo t shirt. I had me #10 jersey hanging over the railing.

#10 You will be missed.

by Bricks and Ivy on Aug 21, 2011 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions

We may have been on opposite sides of the walk way in

I was up on the ramp inside the club almost at the top of the ramp…

Speachless...

by Endrick on Aug 21, 2011 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Sometimes it's nice to remember that it's just a game.

And not everybody is die-hard hardcore crazy about a silly baseball team.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Aug 21, 2011 8:53 PM CDT reply actions

FWIW

The RF grass has recovered quite a bit since you were there.

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by Al Yellon on Aug 22, 2011 9:25 AM CDT reply actions

Glad you had a good time and caught the Statue Ceremony as well

The Bleachers are the most recently renovated part of the ball park and it’s good to hear the Cubs did well for the handicapped access and facilities.

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza

by RiskyBusiness on Aug 22, 2011 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

hey Endrick, nice post...

so glad to hear WF has improved that particular situation. Glad we got to hear about it first hand from you too. The news of the past few days has given me renewed faith in Ricketts, GO CUBS! :)

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Aug 22, 2011 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the apology.

"They sell every ticket to every game, win or lose!" - Tom Ricketts

by bluemagic9 on Aug 22, 2011 12:20 PM CDT reply actions

Thank you

Thank you for the information as I have a friend who needs a wheelchair visiting in September. You saved me a couple of calls.

We only drive when we have my uncle with us who is not wheelchair bound but has a hard time getting around we buy a parking spot for the day. He can’t handle the El.

And when my friend visits we will be driving as well.

Nothing happens unless it's first a dream

by puckishcubsfan on Aug 22, 2011 4:09 PM CDT reply actions