The Rosemont Cubs?

Before I even begin this vent I want to state right out, that if anyone actually thinks for one second that the Cubs are actually going to move to Rosemont then I have a nice bridge I can sell you in Brooklyn.  With that out of the way I like most Cub fans have an opinion about this whole situation.  This very topic is the very reason I no longer listen to sports radio.  Sure it is a hot button issue but not to sound pompous but the unintelligent, meathead things I heard the other day as I against my better judgment turned on the radio almost made my head explode.

First off, if you are too big of a suburban pussy to learn how to actually take trains then do me a personal favor and don’t go to Wrigley Field.  I grew up in the burbs and I still live in one.  But, somehow I was able to take ten minutes and actually figure out how the CTA works.  It really isn’t that difficult.  Ok, you don’t want to take a train, fine.  All weekend and night games you can park at Devry University and catch a shuttle bus.  It costs $6 and I have never seen that lot filled to capacity. 

I am so sick and tired of hearing how it is a pain to get to Wrigley.  For those thinking that Rosemont is the answer have you ever driven anywhere near O’Hare airport on a Friday afternoon?  The traffic in that area rivals Toyko at rush hour.  And how about that airport and its proximity to the proposed site, does anyone remember watching a Mets game at Shea Stadium? If you thought the airplane noise was bad there can you imagine how bad it would be at this location?  I don’t know, you may not want to place a ball park that close to an airport, unless history means nothing to you.

I know all the arguments.  Wrigley is outdated, it hampers the Cubs ability to spend money, we don’t have a jumbotron, the clubhouse is small and so forth.  I have answers to all of those issues.  Of course it would depend on the city and Alderman Tuney excuse my obvious metaphor, to play ball. I know the chances of that happening are about the same as me being elected People’s sexiest man alive but I can dream can’t I?

First off, yes the park is outdated and needs some upgrades. It is almost 100 years old for god’s sake.  But you see that is what makes it great and also exposes a bigger issue in society.  We have this need to tear everything down and make everything look the same.  It’s like as long as there is a WalMart and Denny’s in close proximity to anywhere I am in this country everything will be ok. 

What makes Wrigley great is that it is not like any other park. Name the last new ballpark that was not built within the city limits and instead was built in the suburbs?  Teams figured out by using Wrigley as a model that working a park into a city’s landscape gives it character.  Have you been to PNC in Pittsburgh? That park is right downtown and is spectacular.  You cross the Clemente Bridge and view that skyline when you sit in your seat which creates a beautiful background to watch a game.  Much like the backdrop at Wrigley does. The park is part of a neighborhood and I for one like that.  I don’t want it sitting in a sterile suburb surrounded by parking lots and a TGI Fridays. 

With that said it will take some money to update the park.  The best idea I have heard is building a clubhouse and batting cages and such underground.  I know this won’t be an easy task but that is why engineers make a shit load of money.  I for one could care less about signage and advertising inside the park.  Put it wherever you want. If it helps pay for one free agent then god bless. 

Yes with a lack of parking it does take a huge chunk out of the Cubs revenue stream.  This is why on some weekend games I saw parking near the park for as high as $50.  My answer to this is how many other teams generate revenue from rooftop owners?  How many other teams sell tickets based purely on the park they play in?  Wrigley Field is a tourist destination something I have never been ashamed about.  People come from all over the world to see our park and I am supposed to be embarrassed about that.  I wear that badge with pride. 

I for one don’t feel the need or want a jumbotron.  I feel this may be a losing battle however.  I know it generates money in that you can sell advertising on it.  I get that.  But, part of what makes Wrigley great is that the focus is on the what is on the field itself not all the bells and whistles.  We don’t need a fan o’meter to tell us when to cheer.  We don’t need a kiss cam between innings to keep our attention. The park itself is so beautiful and picturesque that we just enjoy being there.

Another argument I hear is that Wrigley Field hampers the Cubs ability to compete.  To that I say over the last thirty baseball seasons the Cubs have made the postseason six times winning five division titles in that span.  No, that is not on par with the Yankees and of course I would like to see even more winning but they have proven you can win in that ballpark.  Yes, they bottomed out in the playoffs but how is that Wrigley Fields fault?  I tend to think the reasons they did not win in all those other seasons was that they didn't have the talent to compete.  Yes, having video monitoring, real batting cages and a modern clubhouse would be  nice and I do think is something the Cubs need to address with any remodeling plans.  But spare me the argument that playing in Wrigley Field is why the Cubs have not won a World Series.

I know the rooftop owners have Alderman Tunney in their pocket and he is a politician and will do what all politicians do and drag his feet until he knows his rich campaign donors are taken care of.  It is sad but typical.  I hold out hope that Wrigley gets the facelift it deserves and the Cubs continue to play in the greatest venue in all of sports.  I hope that happens without a noise polluting junbotron. But all of that is background fodder to the thing I have been holding out hope for my entire life.  That one day the Chicago Cubs will be World Series Champions.  When that happens and it will, all the pain, heartache and suffering will all be worth it.