On May 17th, 1979, with the wind really blowing out at Wrigley, the Phillies defeat the Cubs in a wild ten-inning slugfest 23-22. Dave Kingman had three home runs and six RBI for the Cubs while teammate Bill Buckner had a grand slam and seven RBI. Mike Schmidt’s two home runs included the game-winner in the tenth inning. The eleven home runs between the two teams tied a major league record.

Just one of the many reasons why venerable old Wrigley Field remains a great place to watch baseball is, of course, the wind-factor. When the wind is blowing out, high flies can become homers. But when the wind is blowing in, all bets are off.

Wrigley Field was built in 1914. It is the second oldest active park in the Majors, behind Boston’s Fenway. While I have toured Fenway, I have never seen a game there. I have, however, see a lot of games at Wrigley. More than at any other ballpark than the now long-gone Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

I first lived in Chicago in 1981. Living in Bucktown at the time and taking Urban Studies classes in the Neighborhood of Wrigley. Once the baseball season began that Spring, I became a Bleacher Bum.

Beginning in August of 1982, I lived in Hyde Park. By then, I was a Cubs fan and regularly rode the El past Old Comiskey to catch afternoon games at Wrigley. As a student, I made sure my afternoons were free during baseball season. A few times, I even did a Chicago Double-Header: an afternoon game at Wrigley and night game at Comiskey.

April games at Wrigley can be as cold as April games now here in Minneapolis at Target Field. I have actually been warmer at games at Soldier Field than some I was at in Wrigley.

It has been too long since I have been in Wrigley. My last visit was before Covid and that was for a Dead and Company Show.

This July I will be back to Chicago for a family trip and will get to spend another afternoon in the Friendly Confines again. How lucky am I?