Wrigley Field : A Celebration of the Friendly Confines [Hardcover]

Mark Jacob (Author), Stephen Green (Author), Ernie Banks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2002

Created in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, a unique tribute to baseball's most beloved landmark

Wrigley Field brings to life and pays tribute to one of baseball's greatest ballparks. The story of this revered park, from its opening in 1914 through today, this revered park's story is gloriously depicted in picture and in word. This up-close-and personal record, proves why Wrigley is sacred ground to millions, from its manually operated scoreboard and the climbing green ivy of its outfield walls, to the raucous bleacher bums and bright days bathed in sunlight, massaged by Lake Michigan's soothing breezes. It is a refuge, it is a haven, it is an escape­­from the workweek or from homework. Produced with the full cooperation of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field pays fitting tribute to the ballpark's extraordinary nine decades­its history and unique features, its vitality, its people, and its greatest moments­­through intimate, enthralling perspectives from the team's official photographer, Stephen Green, as well asteam and private archives. Wrigley Field is the most stunningly visual and complete book ever on this beloved park that is like no other.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

With its famous ivy-covered outfield walls and old-fashioned, hand-operated scoreboard, Wrigley Field is regarded as a jewel of a ballpark by baseball fans across the nation. That this ballpark, which opened for business in 1914, is situated in the midst of a Chicago neighborhood gives it added ambience and charm. The Cubs may be perennial losers, but Wrigley Field itself has always been a winner. As Cubs legend Ernie Banks states in the book, "I won every time I stepped onto the grass at Wrigley Field." Most Cubs fans will find this book of photographs by Green, the official Cubs photographer since 1981, a beautiful depiction of Wrigley. The anecdotal text by Chicago Tribune assistant news editor Jacob covers all the colorful characters that have inhabited Wrigley, from players to ushers to everyday fans. This book will fly off the shelves at most Chicago-area libraries and is a good bet for large sports collections elsewhere.
Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Chicago's Wrigley Field may be the most recognizable sports facility this side of the Roman Coliseum. Jacob, an assistant news editor at the Chicago Tribune, and Green, the Chicago Cubs official photographer since 1981, present a portrait of Wrigley Field that is more representative of the Windy City than anything or anyone since Al Capone--never mind that the team that plays there has been the national poster child for sports futility. A history of the park is presented along with an anecdotal history of the team from the glory days of its inception to the addition of lights in 1988 and beyond. The focus is on the great players and the ever-faithful fans who continue to endure the sometimes abysmal on-field performances in order to enjoy the stadium. Dozens of photos--two-tone and color--highlight the text, and Green's propensity for the new angle and the unusual perspective will give readers fresh views of the grand ol' gal. A very lighthearted, pleasing book that will delight baseball fans in any city. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071385630
• ISBN-13: 978-0071385633
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,056,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous coffee table book for baseball fans, February 19, 2003

By 

D. Goodwin "Are you not entertained?" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wrigley Field : A Celebration of the Friendly Confines (Hardcover)

If you've ever been to Wrigley, few words can describe the feeling you get as a baseball fan. This book manages to capture a lot of those images and feelings, tracing the history of Wrigley Field and getting lots of insight from fans, players, coaches and more about what makes it special. Gorgeous photos throughout punctuate an excellent narrative. A must for fans of ballpark books.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Photographic Portrait Of This Legendary Building, September 18, 2007

By 

John Q. Public Roadblock "John" (Franklin Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wrigley Field : A Celebration of the Friendly Confines (Hardcover)

Wrigley Field may be one of the oldest venues in the world of sports, but its one of the most legendary. The building was once called an "edifice of beauty" by Charles Weeghman, its designer. The stadium was originally named Weeghman Park when it was built in 1914, then to Cubs Park in 1920, and finally to Wrigley Field in 1926. NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon erroneously referred to the park as "Wrigley Stadium". There has been debate recently over naming rights to the park. It was actually the first sports venue to bear a company's name although the William Wrigley Jr. Company, the chewing gum manufacturer, has not had to pay for naming rights. It has undergone numerous renovations over the years since being built as a single-decked structure in 1914. It was the original home of the Chicago Whales, or Chi-Feds, of the Federal League before the Cubs moved there from West Side Grounds in 1916. It is famous for its ivy-covered outfield wall and its manually-operated scoreboard, and more recently for stirring renditions of Take Me Out To The Ball Game during the middle of the seventh inning. Wrigley Field is to baseball what the Boston Garden was to basketball and the Montreal Forum was to hockey. It may be considered a modern-day version of the Colosseum in Rome. It truly is a structure of amazing design and shows no sign of going obsolete as it is constantly being improved and updated. Colorful photographs of this sports palace abound in this entertaining and informative book. It is considered a landmark alongside all the other buildings that have made Chicago one of the world's great cities. The stadium was also home to the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for many decades before moving to Soldier Field in 1970. A must-read for baseball fans or sports fans in general, and especially for Cubs fans who have endured a losing baseball team for so many years. Wrigley Field will be the first baseball stadium to host an outdoor ice hockey game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings on January 1, 2009. The ballpark has proven to be a functional concert venue. It has hosted Jimmy Buffett and The Police. During the summer of 2009, the duo of Elton John and Billy Joel as well as Rascal Flatts with Vince Gill are scheduled to perform at the famed North Side baseball park.