Title/Author:
“Wrigley
Field: 100 Stories for 100 Years” by Dan Campana and Rob Carroll
Tags:
Baseball,
Cubs, ballparks, history
Publish date:
November
4, 2013
Length:
224 pages
Rating:
4 of 5
stars (very good)
Review:
Just about
every baseball fan has some type of story when the name “Wrigley Field” is
uttered in a conversation. Whether that
person is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, has made a trip or two or many to the
Friendly Confines (the park’s nickname) or wishes that he or she could see a
game there, many have a story to share about one of the most storied stadiums
in sports history. Dan Campana and Rob Carroll interviewed many fans, players,
journalists and others to obtain their memories of the ball park. These stories
are put together in a book that is fun to read and may even take the reader
down memory lane if he or she has visited the park.
Most of
the stories come from Cubs fans of all walks of life. One is from a couple who have had season
tickets to Cubs games for many decades.
One is from a Cubs fan who lives in Sweden and has never been to the
park but wants to take a trip to see it.
Two of them are from “ballhawks” who catch home runs hit out of the park
and onto Waveland Avenue.
The players’
stories are just as interesting as those of the fans. Kerry Wood, the longtime
Cubs pitcher, shares his favorite Wrigley memory. For those who know about Wood’s career, his
story will come as a surprise, as it is not the one that one would assume. Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins and outfielder
Cliff Floyd are among the other players who share their stories with the
authors. Well known baseball journalists
and broadcasters such as Tim Kirkjian and Bob Costas have something to say as
well as the Cubs beat writers and broadcasters.
All of these people make for a great variety of memories shared that is
a fun collection to read.
It should also be pointed out that other sports are included in this book. The Chicago Bears played many games in Wrigley Field so some football stories are also included. A college football story is shared about a game between the University of Illinois and Northwestern University. Stories about concerts by such artists like Paul McCartney are included. Even hockey stories are in this book as the 2009 NHL Winter Classic game took place in Wrigley when the Chicago Blackhawks faced off against the Detroit Red Wings. I felt that this was a nice touch as it encompasses the entire history of the ballpark, not just the baseball games.
If there
is a negative to be said about the book, it is that some of the stories seem to
come to an abrupt end. This isn’t the
fault of the writers, as they are at the mercy of whatever information the
storyteller gives, but for those that are very short and cut off at the end, it
felt like there was something missing that would make the person’s special time
at the park complete.
This book
is a must read for any Cubs fans who has lived through the team’s highs and
lows in the Friendly Confines. Readers
who also enjoy collections of stories or reading about the game’s history will
also like this book.
I wish to thank the authors for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I skim?
No
Pace of the book:
Excellent
as the stories are short and fairly easy to read. Therefore, the book never drags and the
reader will always be ready for the next story.
Do I recommend?
Cubs fans
will especially enjoy this collection of stories from mostly fans just like
themselves. Readers who are interested in baseball history or have enjoyed a
trip to the historic ball park will also enjoy this book.
Book Format Read:
Paperback
Buying links:
I loved the Hundredth Story
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