Wrigley Field 100 Years ~ and Charles Weeghman

Wrigley Field ~ Cubs Park ~ Charles Weeghman,  a Look Back at a 100 Year Celebration

Charles Weeghman born March 12, 1874 in Richmond, Indiana - I would say an entrepreneur, a restaurateur, restaurant along the lines of a New York Horn and Hardart.  Though Charles Weeghman's name may not be known by Chicagoan's, or associated with today's celebration, the celebration at ~ Wrigley Field ~ formerly known as ~ Cubs Park ~ initially known as ~ Weeghman Park, my thought - did Charles Weeghman ever imagine that Wrigley Field would still be standing today?  That an initial investment partners name Wrigley, would still be associated a 100 years later?  What would he think of their initial investment . . . quite an investment I would say.

Weeghman was owner of the Chicago Whales, a team in the Federal League, the third league at that time in baseball, existence 1914-1915.  There was major importance, and significance in this;  baseball league, government anti-trust issues arose. The Federal League was dismantled, however not before Charles Weeghman had built a new stadium ~ Weeghman Park.  He and his investment team which now included Wrigley himself, and players from the dismantled Chicago Whales, and the Chicago Cubs made up one unit, one team for the National League.  They were now to play in a ballpark built of steel, concrete, and located near the 'L' which was transportation - Trains, trains to get the fan out to what had been Weeghman's ballpark.  How smart of Weeghman, even today ~ get them in, get them out.  

Weeghman saw the Chicago Cubs win the Pennant in 1918 ~ and in this writers research and opinion he was the major orchestrator to Wrigley Field's past, however we all know the past is the past.  There is more bits of story in between, and here is a bit more.  Weeghman, made poor choices. Wrigley helped him financially for a bit, and eventually Weeghman lost his financial holdings, interests in the Cubs.  November 1, 1938 Charles Weeghman died in Chicago, Illinois.

Today my hats are off to you Chicago, and your grand celebration.  A celebration I would like to have seen for Yankee Stadium.   So enjoy, enjoy your day,and remember the moment ~ and one question I have for those from Chicago ~ is the 'L' still there - laura.