Ranking the changes to Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville
Comfort prevails, and the days of hitting your head on the dugout ceiling finally are over.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Chicago Tribune
This new season has seen many changes at Wrigley Field and around Wrigleyville.
If you’ve got the dough, the padded seats with club access definitely are the way to go.
(Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Up-close and personal look into the Cubs dugout, but still needs risers for better field view.
(Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago is a foodie city. It’s about time the Cubs improved their fare.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Advertisement
MLB pushed teams to extend netting to ends of dugouts. Improves safety. Enough said.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Fast-food option always a plus, though push-button menus confusing to newbie fans.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
While average fans may never see it, the big spenders can relax in style and pig out on quality food.
(Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Less gridlock before and after games, souvenir shop now in perfect location near exit.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Advertisement
Installed after first homestand for Joe Maddon’s view. When Maddon talks, business ops listens.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Wrigleyville’s only boutique hotel includes patio with view of Wrigley. Pricey, but tourist-friendly.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
One of two elevators behind home plate reserved for suite holders, unnecessarily making fans heading to upper deck wait longer.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Not a whole lot different than last year, but easier access for players. Visitors’ clubhouse coming next.
(Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Advertisement
The long and winding tunnel is gone, though already missed, like the old S-curve on Lake Shore Drive.
(Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
The old ramps to the upper deck were navigable. Now they have stairs in some places for no apparent reason.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Expanded dugouts led to smaller (but still expensive) seats in a few sections along the left and right field lines. Cubs need to rectify.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Most unrecognizable sponsor name since Guaranteed Rate Field. “Park at Wrigley” would’ve sufficed.
(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Paul Sullivan is the Chicago Tribune’s baseball writer, covering the Cubs, White Sox and national news. A 37-year Tribune veteran, Sullivan was named Illinois Sportswriter of the Year in 2015 and ’16 and earned the Ring Lardner Award for excellence in sports journalism in 2018.
Mark Gonzales is a baseball writer for the Tribune who has covered the Cubs since August 2013, after 8 1/2 seasons as the Tribune’s White Sox writer. He’s served as the beat writer for the following World Series champions: 2001 Diamondbacks, 2005 White Sox and 2016 Cubs. Before joining the Tribune, Gonzales covered the Arizona Diamondbacks and was the national baseball writer for the Arizona Republic for five seasons. Gonzales was the San Francisco Giants’ beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News for eight seasons. Gonzales loves traveling to warm locations in the winter.