Wrigley Renovations Coming?; Cubs to Play at US Cellular in 2013?

[FirstTimer]

From Yahoo

It's the question that bubbles up whenever the Chicago Cubs talk about taking the scalpel to Wrigley Field and putting it through the extensive renovation it desperately needs: Just where would the team play if the construction work required shutting the Friendly Confines down for a season?

For all the silly talk about making Cubs fans drive 90 miles north to Milwaukee's Miller Park, there's really only one logical option, of course. That would be U.S. Cellular Field, home of the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox and located about a brisk eight-mile jog from the corner of Clark and Addison. There are even some local rumbles that the Cubs are considering taking up residence at The Cell for the 2013 season, though team officials are currently denying that arrangement.

From NBC Chicago:
Workers at U.S. Cellular tell a different story (than the Cubs' denial). They say they are being warned of a much busier 2013 season (as in, prepare for double the games). (South Side) bar owners tell a similar story.

Again, the Cubs say they haven't thought that far ahead and that they are working on a plan to secure funds to renovate the stadium ahead of the 99th season there.

There are any number of issues the Cubs have to work through before they even think about subletting somewhere, namely securing some public funding for this work.


U.S. Cellular Field (Getty)But as Neil deMause of Field of Schemes speculates, the surfacing of this story could be the Cubs way of floating a "trial balloon" to see how their fans regard the idea of trucking it south for an entire season. I suspect the more practical members of the Cubs' fanbase wouldn't see a problem with taking up residence at U.S. Cellular for a year, especially if it meant returning to retro-fitted comforts of Wrigley the following season. There's also a precedent of such a move working: The Yankees played two seasons at Shea Stadium when old Yankee Stadium was being renovated over 1974 and 1975.


The Cubs' fanbase, however, has never been particularly noted for its reasoning skills. Half of the Lincoln Park chad-trixie contingent operates under the (untrue) belief they'll be shot the minute they step off the train at 35th Street while another segment would rather travel to another state for a game than a different neighborhood in the city.* With the Cubs lately drawing a large segment of their attendance from the summer tourist crowd/Iowa tour bus caravan, I'm guessing their totals would crater if Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer don't have a winning product on the field by then.

 

[FirstTimer]

As tough as it would be to stomach playing 81 games at that shithole, I would welcome some renovation.

If the Cubs play at the Cell, the renovations are going to be a massive overhaul.

 

[FedEx227]

As tough as it would be to stomach playing 81 games at that shithole, I would welcome some renovation.

Care to explain what makes it a shithole?

 

[ryne candy]

When I went for Opening Day last year, it felt confined when I was walking around the stadium. It didn't help that it was raining, so a large number of people were seeking shelter.

 

[spiker]

Care to explain what makes it a shithole?

I think he was talking about Wrigley.

 

[FedEx227]

No he said, "As tough as it would be to stomach playing 81 games at that shithole, I would welcome some renovation."

Shithole refers to US Cellular in that.

 

[spiker]

No he said, "As tough as it would be to stomach playing 81 games at that shithole, I would welcome some renovation."

Shithole refers to US Cellular in that.

I was just kidding, though.

 

[FedEx227]

The Sox play there

:joeybats:

 

[FirstTimer]

Haven't been to the Cell since 1996. Back then it sucked. I know they have done an absolute ton to it since.

 

[FedEx227]

It's light years better now. I was a piece of crap in the mid to late 90s but the renovations done since 2003 are really mindblowing, it's a different ballpark.

I was really hoping JayRock was going to do the usual "IT'S IN A GHETTO!!!111" thing but he didn't, oh well. Maybe we'll get something about a jumbotron taking away from the game or something. I can only hope.

 

[FirstTimer]

It's light years better now. I was a piece of crap in the mid to late 90s .

.

At least I got to see Lyle Mouton play.

:longo:

 

[FedEx227]

:stonecold:

 

[spiker]

I would think Cubs fans will enjoy the modern amenities like parking lots and bathrooms at the Cell. The neighborhood isn't terrible but it's not surrounded by yuppie bars either. It's a lot better than what it used to be. Personally, I like to tailgate before the game and post game near UIC (sometimes Chris Ronge does their post game show from UIC bars), which isn't that far away.

 

[FedEx227]

The bars in the Bridgeport area have gotten a lot better too. You have 2 within walking distance in Cork & Kerry and Turtle (I believe that's the name), you have Bacardi at the Park as well and Buffalo Wings and Rings is only about 4-5 blocks.

 

[FirstTimer]

I would think Cubs fans will enjoy the modern amenities like parking lots and bathrooms at the Cell.

Never really worried about parking at Wrigley. Always cabbed it, stayed at a freinds cloe by or took the train.

Bathroms there suck but it's a fucking bathroom.

The neighborhood isn't terrible but it's not surrounded by yuppie bars either

Wrigley doesn't have a ton of yuppie bars around it IMO. Not sure what ones you are referring to.

 

[spiker]

The bars in the Bridgeport area have gotten a lot better too. You have 2 within walking distance in Cork & Kerry and Turtle (I believe that's the name), you have Bacardi at the Park as well and Buffalo Wings and Rings is only about 4-5 blocks.

I have to check out Wings and Rings sometime. I know they do post game from there as well, but I've never been there.

 

[FirstTimer]

The bars in the Bridgeport area have gotten a lot better too. You have 2 within walking distance in Cork & Kerry and Turtle (I believe that's the name), you have Bacardi at the Park as well and Buffalo Wings and Rings is only about 4-5 blocks.

I'd like to go to the Cell for a game and see the park now. Just never really been motivated to go. When I'm in Chicago I prefer Northside/downtown more.

 

[spiker]

Wrigley doesn't have a ton of yuppie bars around it IMO. Not sure what ones you are referring to.

:lol:

What? Like I've never been to Wrigleyville before. The entire neighborhood is bars that serve overpriced drinks. Come on.

 

[Primetime]

Never been to US Cellular...but any place has to be better than Wrigley. Without the history played in Wrigley, it could possibly be the worst complex in sports.

 

[FedEx227]

I have to check out Wings and Rings sometime. I know they do post game from there as well, but I've never been there.

Wings and Rings is tight. Decently priced. Also there's a little secret to getting there before a game and parking for free then walking to the Cell but let's make that our little secret. :yu: