Charlie Weeghman built Weeghman Park for "his" Chicago Federals of the brand new Federal League. The Federal League went out of business after only two years, so Weeghman, William Wrigley, Jr., and nine others purchased the National League Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were then moved from West Side Grounds to Weeghman Park. Wrigley bought out the shares of the other original members and changed the name to Cubs Park in time for the 1920 Opening Day. In 1926, it was renamed to Wrigley Field in his honor.
"It (Wrigley Field) was really a tough park to hit in because the fans were in center field and they were wearing white shirts and it was really difficult to find the ball." - Ralph Kiner in Banks to Sandberg to Grace (2001)
Wrigley Field / | Cubs Park / | Weegham Park |
1926-Current | 1920-1925 | 1914-1919 |
Major League Occupant(s)
Wrigley Field / | Cubs Park / | Weegham Park |
1926-Current | 1920-1925 | 1914-1919 |
Ballpark Capacity & Seating Chart
Wrigley Field / | Cubs Park / | Weegham Park |
1926-Current | 1920-1925 | 1914-1919 |
Ballpark Diagram & Dimensions
Wrigley Field / | Cubs Park / | Weegham Park |
1926-Current | 1920-1925 | 1914-1919 |
Wrigley Field (1935)
Cubs Park (1922)
Weegham Park (1914)
Miscellaneous Items of Interest
The architect who designed Weeghman Park (which was its original name) was Zachary Taylor Davis and it was built for roughly $250,000. The legendary outfield ivy vines were purchased and planted by Bill Veeck in September 1937.
Not one batted ball has ever hit the centerfield scoreboard in Wrigley Field. In 1948 Bill Nicholson barely missed the scoreboard when he launched a home run ball onto Sheffield Avenue and in 1959 Roberto Clemente came even closer with a home run ball hit onto Waveland Avenue.
Did you know that Wrigley Field is the ONLY ballpark still in existence where a Federal League team played their games? From April 23, 1914 until October 3, 1915 Weegham Park (as Wrigley Field was once known) was the home of the Chicago Whales.