Wrigley Field: The Friendly Confines at Clark and Addison (SABR Cities and Stadiums)

Wrigley Field evokes a feeling of perpetual summer, youth, and dreams. Any mention of the ballpark at the intersection of Clark and Addison in Chicago conjures up images of the ivy on the outfield walls, the hand-operated scoreboard, Cubbie blue, and the park's vibrant neighborhood. Wrigley transcends time and transports its guests to a green oasis in the midst of a bustling city. Built less than 50 years after the Civil War, it was inaugurated when Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, and a century later it remains a testimony to the enduring power of our national pastime. This book is an ode to that storied ballpark, evoking its history through detailed retellings of 100 games played there, including not only historic triumphs and defeats of the Chicago Cubs (and the Federal League Whales), but also Negro Leagues matchups, youth championships, and even games by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Including the talents of over 50 members of SABR, the book also includes many historic photographs. With articles by Matt Albertson, John Bauer, Nathan Bierma, Thomas J. Brown Jr., Frederick C. Bush, Alan Cohen, Rory Costello, Richard A. Cuicchi, John DiFonzo, Greg Erion, Doug Feldmann, Scott Ferkovich, Merrie A. Fidler, Dan Fields, James Forr, Brian M. Frank, Gordon Gattie, Paul Geisler, Ed Gruver, Tom Hawthorn, Paul Hofmann, Mike Huber , Norm King, Russ Lake, Bob LeMoine, Mike Lynch, Mike Mattsey, Seth Moland-Kovash, Jim Nitz, Tom Pardo, J.G. Preston, Chris Rainey, Tim Rask, Alan Reifman, Stephen V. Rice, C. Paul Rogers III, Gary Sarnoff, Rick Schabowski, Ryan Schuring, Joe Schuster, Glen Sparks, Mark S. Sternman, Gregory H. Wolf, Brian Wright, and Don Zminda.Includes games from 1914 through 2017:The Friendly Confines of Wrigley FieldWrigleyville NeighborhoodThe Evolution of Nicknames for the North SidersNegro Baseball at Wrigley FieldApril 23, 1914: Feds Open Weeghman Park, Pitcher Johnson EnjoinedOctober 3, 1915: Whales Clinch Federal League TitleApril 20, 1916: First Cubs Game at Wrigley FieldMay 2, 1917: Fred Toney Defeats Hippo Vaughn in Epic DuelJuly 17, 1918: Tyler Outduels Watson in 21-Inning MarathonAugust 24, 1918: Cubs Clinch Fifth Pennant in 13 Years with Doubleheader SweepSeptember 21, 1919: Old Pete Needs Only 58 Minutes for ShutoutJune 26, 1920: National High School Powerhouses Meet in the Friendly ConfinesOctober 1, 1920: Old Pete Outduels Rookie Haines in 17 InningsAugust 25, 1922: 49 Runs on 51 HitsApril 12, 1927: Cubs Wallop Defending World Champions on Opening DayOctober 8, 1929: Ehmke Sets World Series Strikeout RecordOctober 9, 1929: The Double-X and Bucketfoot Al Show on the North SideJune 23, 1930: Hack Wilson Hits for the Cycle as Cubs Pound PhilliesSeptember 28, 1930: Comeback Cubs Prevail As Wilson Sets RBI MarkOctober 1, 1932: The Babe Calls His Shot… Or Does He?October 2, 1932: The Yankees Crush the Cubs to Take TitleJuly 20, 1933: Babe Herman’s Three Homers Overwhelm PhilliesSeptember 4, 1935: Galan’s Slam and Six RBI’s Flatten Phils To Start 21-Game Winning StreakSeptember 14, 1935: Cubs Take Over FirstOctober 4, 1935: Cubs Stymied by Ejections, Errors, and the SchoolboyOctober 5, 1935: Defense Dooms CubsOctober 6, 1935: Cubs Stave off Elimination on Klein’s HomerAugust 13, 1937: A Mid-Summer Offensive ExplosionMay 5, 1938: Epperly Wins Starting Debut as Cubs Pulverize PhilliesSeptember 28, 1938: Hartnett Hits Homer in the Gloamin’October 5, 1938: Ruffing Shackles the CubsOctober 6, 1938: Sore-Armed Dizzy Loses on Crosetti’s Late HomeJuly 4, 1939: Hank Leiber Provides Fireworks with Three Home RunsMay 5, 1943: Claude Passeau Bests Max Lanier in Extra-Inning DuelJuly 1, 1943: The First Game Played Under the Lights at Wrigley FieldJuly 18, 1944: The AAGPBL Plays in the Second Night Game Ever at Wrigley FieldThe Curse of the Billy GoatAnd many more!