Categories: Sports & Recreation Spectator Sports
Chicago Cubs
Author: Alison Fiebig
The Cubs are as much a part of Chicago as Chicago-style pizza and Michael Jordan. Take a gander at everything Chicago's North Side baseball team has to offer.
Come one, come all, come spring! As we enter the homestretch of winter, we have homeruns on the brain. A sure sign of the baseball season in the Midwest are budding trees and rain-soaked streets. A sure sign of the Chicago Cubs season are baseball caps, tailgating accessories and advertisements for local hangout meal deals.
Approaching this year’s 108th MLB season, the Cubs will be contributing their 95th, the fans praying that this year will be the “one.” Baseball, being one of America’s greatest traditions, has since been a delicacy of Chicago’s north side, Wrigleyville, named after the bleachered home of the team.
Not only did the neighborhood that is proudly home to the Cubs stadium, Wrigleyville, get its name from the stadium itself, but you could say it experienced a surge of popularity following the opening of Wrigley Field. Of course, it wasn’t always called Wrigley Field. The stadium first opened as Weeghman Park on April 13, 1914, making it the second oldest ballpark in the league today behind Boston’s Fenway Park. In 1920, it was renamed Cubs Park, and six years later it became today’s Wrigley Field to honor William Wrigley, Jr., the chewing gum mogul.
Originally founded in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings in the National League, the team wasn’t known as the Cubs until 1902 when a reporter at the Chicago Daily News nicknamed it, and it stuck. The Cubs are the only team to play continuously in the same city since the formation of the National League in 1876. With nicknames today like ‘Cubbies’ and ‘North Siders,’ Chicagoans have no problem distinguishing the difference between the Cubs and the Chicago White Sox, the MLB team of the American League.
Whether it was pitching, batting, stealing home or home-running, Wrigley Field has been home to many Hall of Famers, including Albert Spalding, Hank Wyse, Kiki Cuyler, Carlos Zambrano and Sammy Sosa. Flying high inside the stadium (other than the baseballs) is a Dominican Republic and Venezuelan flag for Sosa and Zambrano, both of whom are natives respectively.
Since then, the culture is plentiful, the passion for the sport spilling over into the restaurants and shops that stand in the shadow of the enormous stadium. One such shop that is popular for Cubs gear is Strange Cargo, down Clark Street from the stadium. After games, the area is packed with sport-enthusiasts, despite a win or a loss, their mouths watering for food and spirits (as if there isn’t enough of that to be had at the stadium). The Cubby Bear Lounge, located directly across from the stadium, draws in an ungodly amount of people on game day. Just a couple blocks south lies Blarney Stone, a quieter joint that some consider a city gem where cheap drinks and reasonably priced food tickles post-game Cubbers.
Another tradition credited to the Cubs is Wrigleyville Rooftops. The bars and restaurants that surround the stadium provide a unique, baseball experience. Venues on Waveland Avenue overlook left field, while those along Sheffield Avenue have a view over right field. There are twelve rooftops overall that allow birds-eye views provided by premiere bleacher style seating while some venues offer professional catered food and beverage service, all complimenting the game, of course.
One, two, three strikes you’re out? Well, some would say that Cubs fans are the most devoted for staying true to their team for nearly 100 years since their last series title. The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908 against the Detroit Tigers. Their latest chance in the series stems back 63 years--1945--the same year World War II ended. To put that into perspective, the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was in office at the time of the last Cubs World Series win. Rumor has it, in game four of the 1945 World Series, P.K. Wrigley, running the front office at the time, ejected Cubs fan Billy Sianis, who had come to game four with two tickets, one for him and one for his goat. Back to the stadium, Mr. Sianis uttered, “The Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” The Cubs lost game four, therefore losing the 1945 World Series and haven’t seen a series game since.
While diehard fans are still holding their breath for a Chicago Cubs / Boston Red Sox World Series game, it would simply be enough to find themselves rooting for a team on their way to a World Series victory. Maybe this spring luck will be on our side--the North Side of Chicago.
Check out places of interest near Chicago Cubs:
Cotes du Rhone Bistro
5424 N. Broadway St.,
Chicago, IL 60640
A Chicago BYO restaurant for now, chef Brian Moulton serves classic French fare with his own personal touches at more-than-fair prices.
Harry Caray's Tavern
3551 N. Sheffield Ave.,
Chicago, Illinois 60657
Harry Caray's Tavern is the premier pre- or post-Cubs game hang-out, located across from Wrigley Field on the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue. This is the newest Harry Caray-themed restaurant paying tribute to beloved Cubs announcer, Harry Caray. Harry Caray's Tavern serves classic American bar snacks and delightful italian entrees.
Murphy's Bleachers
3655 N. Sheffield Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60613
Murphy's Bleachers has been a part of Cubs and Wrigleyville tradition since the 1930s, when it was known as Ernie's Bleachers (a drive-up hot dog stand that sold beer by the pail). It is located behind the bleacher section of Wrigley Field, making it an easy pre-and-post-game hang-out for those die hard Cubs fans, the bleacher bums.
Red Ivy
3526 N. Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60657
This trendy sports bar is named after the color of ivy that grows along the wall of historic Wrigley Field in autumn. Red Ivy is just south of Wrigley, on Clark Street. Hearty Italian fare at a reasonable price is what Red Ivy is all about, with pizzas being their specialty.
Vines on Clark
3554 N. Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60657
Don't have tickets to the game? Vines on Clark is the place to be. With views of Wrigley Field from the rooftop, beer garden, and a few select seats in the main dining room, along with high-def TVs and the sound of the roaring crowd, it's like you're at the game.
Casey Moran's
3660 N. Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60613
This top Wrigleyville-area sports bar is a no-brainer to visit if you're visiting the home of the Chicago Cubs, but is a year-round home to sports fanatics and just fans, too.
Harry Caray's Tavern
3551 N. Sheffield Ave.,
Chicago, Illinois 60657
Harry Caray's Tavern is the premier pre- or post-Cubs game hang-out, located across from Wrigley Field on the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue. This is the newest Harry Caray-themed restaurant paying tribute to beloved Cubs announcer, Harry Caray. Harry Caray's Tavern serves classic American bar snacks and delightful italian entrees.
Murphy's Bleachers
3655 N. Sheffield Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60613
Murphy's Bleachers has been a part of Cubs and Wrigleyville tradition since the 1930s, when it was known as Ernie's Bleachers (a drive-up hot dog stand that sold beer by the pail). It is located behind the bleacher section of Wrigley Field, making it an easy pre-and-post-game hang-out for those die hard Cubs fans, the bleacher bums.
Red Ivy
3526 N. Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60657
This trendy sports bar is named after the color of ivy that grows along the wall of historic Wrigley Field in autumn. Red Ivy is just south of Wrigley, on Clark Street. Hearty Italian fare at a reasonable price is what Red Ivy is all about, with pizzas being their specialty.
Vines on Clark
3554 N. Clark St.,
Chicago, IL 60657
Don't have tickets to the game? Vines on Clark is the place to be. With views of Wrigley Field from the rooftop, beer garden, and a few select seats in the main dining room, along with high-def TVs and the sound of the roaring crowd, it's like you're at the game.
Chicago Bears Football
425 E. McFetridge Dr.,
Chicago, IL 60605
With the 2008 Bear's season coming up, Super Bowl XLII is on the minds of football aficionados everywhere. Come watch the Chicago Bears play at Soldier Field to support the team and to see your favorite players in action!
Residence Inn/SpringHill Suites Downtown Chicago River North
410 N. Dearborn St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
This newly constructed hotel carries a Chicago baseball theme, with the north half of the hotel being Cubs-themed; the south half being White Sox-themed. The separate-but-connected lobbies are built for socializing, while efficient, affordable rooms are the real draw.
