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American Morning

Changes May Be Coming for Chicago's Wrigley Field

Aired July 04, 2001 - 10:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: For some, Chicago's Wrigley Field ranks right up there with mom and apple pie among American icons. The old ballpark could soon, though, become the last of its kind.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim joins us live from the Windy City with more on this living piece of American history -- Keith, good morning.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. And happy Fourth.

And that's true. It more and more becoming a real unique place because of its age, but also because of its relationship to the neighborhood. I'm on a rooftop right now, which are perhaps the best seats in America to watch a Major League ball game outside the ballpark. And there are a number of businesses like that around Wrigley Field, where you can pay to watch a game from a roof. And that is extremely unique.

And I think when you talk about Wrigley Field in terms of its history, you have to take into account that this is a ballpark that has a unique relationship to its surrounding neighborhood, a neighborhood called Wrigleyville.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL KAUFMAN, WRIGLEYVILLE RESIDENT/REAL ESTATE BROKER: When you hit a home run at Wrigley Field down the left field line, you really hit a home.

OPPENHEIM (voice-over): Michael Kaufman's building is so close to Wrigley Field, home run balls often land on his doorstep or smash through a window. The building is a business, a place to watch a game from either the rooftop or lounge areas inside, all of which are not in the ballpark.

Game programs chronicle a rich timeline of Cubs baseball. Pictures on the wall show the intimacy between neighborhood and field.

KAUFMAN: When you come into Chicago, you're a part of the Wrigleyville experience. You're a part of neighborhood. You see the buildings. You see the rooftops. You see Wrigley Field itself, which is just green and beautiful.

OPPENHEIM: On game days, fans line residential streets waiting for the chance to chase down a ball that clears the outfield wall, a tradition hard to duplicate in other cities. Sidewalks fill, outdoor cafes reach capacity, and rooftops are host to those who want a different perspective of Wrigley.

CHIP CARAY, CUBS ANNOUNCER: It's an area where people live and work and play with their children and send them to school. But it's also an area where there are restaurants; there are taverns. People come to spend an entire day in this area and in this neighborhood.

BERNIE HANSEN, CHICAGO CITY ALDERMAN: This is a great community. This is baseball. This is the middle of Chicago. This is the place, if you want to come out and see real Major League Baseball in the most beautiful park that was ever designed, this is it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: We're back live at Wrigley now.

And there is change potentially in the works, because the Tribune Company, which owns Wrigley Field and the Cubs, has an $11 million plan to make some major changes, including adding 2,300 seats. Most of those would be in the bleachers.

But, again, the controversy is -- as it has been historically -- about night games. There are currently 18 night games in the Cubs' home schedule, which is lowest in the Majors. And they're talking about adding 12 games. So in terms of this relationship with Wrigleyville -- the neighborhood, Daryn -- it's a tenuous balance. And there are people in the neighborhood, obviously, who have mixed feelings about it.

But before I throw back to you, I just want to ask you a question: The Cubs beat the Mets last night. Do they have a chance here, Daryn?

KAGAN: Oh, you got to -- you know, if you ever say anything bad about the Cubs, the letters come in. So -- and having been to Wrigley Field and love the Cubs, I will say: What the heck. Go for it.

OPPENHEIM: All right. That sounds like a diplomatic answer.

KAGAN: Yes. How about that? So make people happy in Chicago and New York.

Keith, thank you.

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