:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19954351/wrigley_field_100_logo.0.jpg){kind=logo}
Wrigley Field -- then known as Weeghman Park, after "Lucky" Charlie Weeghman, owner of the Federal League's Chicago Whales -- first opened for business April 23, 1914, when the Whales took on the Kansas City Packers.
And so, the Cubs are planning a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the ballpark throughout the 2014 season. In conjunction with that, the team unveiled the logo you see at the top of this post, which will adorn the team's uniforms next year as a sleeve patch, and of course be pasted on tons of merchandise of all kinds. (BUY STUFF! say the Cubs, essentially.)
The logo was chosen after an online call for entries; the team received over 1,200 submissions and the winning designer was Brandon Ort, who hails from New Bremen, Ohio. Here's what he said about winning as he was honored before Saturday's game:
"I am excited and completely honored to have my ‘Wrigley Field Turns 100’ logo design selected to represent this historic ballpark in its 100th year,” said winning designer Brandon Ort. “Creating the design that will be a part of Cubs and Wrigley Field history is incredibly humbling and serves as a benchmark in my career. What better way to celebrate than to watch a game at Wrigley Field today with close friends and family.”
My thoughts on the logo: it's just fine. It doesn't break new ground; it incorporates design elements from the ballpark and the marquee, and will serve perfectly well as a sleeve patch on the 2014 jersey. If I had to give it a letter grade? B+.
The Cubs are handing out pocket schedules this homestand with the tentative 2014 schedule. April 23, which is currently listed as a 1:20 p.m. start against the Diamondbacks, is specifically noted on the schedule as "Wrigley Field 100th Celebration"; I understand, though, that the team will also be commemorating various eras of the 100 years of Wrigley Field throughout the 2014 season.
And then they'll do it all over again in 2016, which is the 100th anniversary of the Cubs' first year playing at Clark & Addison.