Young Florida Marlins should expect tough love from 80-year-old interim manager Jack McKeon - ESPNYou know what else is more than happenstance? The sudden increase in reports of the deteriorating condition of Wrigley Field. Publicly, Cubs management continues to profess its love and reverence for Wrigley. But privately, the same group is making sure people in baseball are well aware that it would take a massive infusion of dollars to keep Wrigley functional for much longer -- and even that might not be enough.
[+] EnlargeRob Grabowsk/US PresswireAlthough Wrigley Field is a beloved ballpark, it might not be usable for more than a few more years because of its deteriorating condition.
"Honestly, I don't know if that place can survive for five years," said one of those baseball people. "The infrastructure is in brutal shape."
Asked whether Wrigley was even a candidate for a Fenway-style renovation, the same source replied: "To be honest? I'd have to say no way."
But you won't see anyone in baseball publicly suggesting the Cubs move out of their own little national historic monument. Wrigley is too beloved to mess with -- in any way other than allowing the word to get around that, beneath the ivy and the bleachers, it's no longer the perfect, idyllic ballpark it appears to be. So if you think you've heard the last of this, guess again.
MLB: Wrigley Field in "Brutal Shape?"
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I'm all for them building a new park. You could keep all the design elements of the old park and have a way nicer place to go to a game. I love what the Cardinals did with their new park.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I love the old place, but if it needs replaced, and it eventually will no matter what the timeframe really is, then it needs done.
:shocked:
Yea, I love Busch Stadium. It captures all that is good about St. Louis and yet has real bathroom fixtures.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
This would be interesting. I wonder if they would play 2ish years at the Cell, if a new park was built in place of the old one?
The tough part about rebuilding there is, there isn't a lot of extra room around the stadium to expand.
The tough part about rebuilding there is, there isn't a lot of extra room around the stadium to expand.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Until they open the new place and people go "Holy ****! This is awesome!" I know plenty of people who freaked about old Yankee Stadium closing and then as soon as the new one opened (with some elements of the old one) their tune changed quickly.
Wrigley needs to be replaced not only for the brutality fans can see, but the amenities for the Cubs are awful. We got the stadium tour and the manager's office is a joke, the clubhouse is tiny, the indoor batting cages are terrible, etc.
What makes a "new Wrigley" tough is they are pretty much locked into the same site. And as everyone knows, it is just one odd-shaped city block.
How do you build a new stadium on the same site when it's needed April through September for games and the months of October through March --- in Chicago --- are generally brutal for weather? Can they erect a "construction bubble" that big?
Cubs would have to play somewhere else for a season, maybe two. Can you imagine them playing home games on the south side? 1000 yuppies would be roughed up by thugs every night!
How do you build a new stadium on the same site when it's needed April through September for games and the months of October through March --- in Chicago --- are generally brutal for weather? Can they erect a "construction bubble" that big?
Cubs would have to play somewhere else for a season, maybe two. Can you imagine them playing home games on the south side? 1000 yuppies would be roughed up by thugs every night!
....the skyscape, pressbox overlooking the lake, the bleachers, deep overhanging balcony areas that shelter the lower terrace, the outside architecture with the overlooking terrace and wrigley sign.
There is so much that defines that place....
They aren't impossible to mimic in a new stadium. Yankee Stadium had just as much crap that defined it and they seemed to do alright putting together the new one.
I have said it for years, but I truly believe the Cubs will never win a World Series as long as they play in Wrigley. I'd personally be all in for them getting a new stadium.
Agree that the location would need to stay the same, which creates a huge problem for construction and/or expansion. I'm on the fence about it.
Never said it was impossible, but a lot of things to consider when designing a new one - as good architecture should.
Location would also be a huge concern - Wrigleyville helps define that place, not sure where they could trying building a new.
I remember when the argument was they had to have lights because of all the hot day games.. I certainly hope they work out a deal with the sox to share the Cell so they can knock it down and build a new one in the same place. Anything else would change the city too much for me.