Bleed Cubbie Blue

Ah ha

So what's the scoop here Al?

ontheuptick - April 6, 2006 reply

You will all..

... find out tonight.

I love surprises!

I'm curious, and I want to know what it is now. But I guess I can wait.

sparkles721 - April 6, 2006 reply

Let's forget for a moment

that the Bud Light sign actually says "Bud Light." What bothers me more than anything is the design. I understand that this is the Bud Light logo, but its sleek design completely clashes with the classic look of Wrigley's exterior.

This may seem unreasonable, but couldn't they have come up with a different design? Something other than sleek metallic set against the red brick and ivy-green gates? It looks like it doesn't belong. It looks tacked on. It looks...well, it looks greedy, like a contract was signed in haste without any consideration of the aesthetics of the sponsorship. What's next, the Mary Kay upper deck?

Perhaps this shouldn't bother me as much as it does. Oh well.

Short4Fanatic - April 6, 2006 reply

Good call

I'd think the general bleacherite would be proud to be sponsored by a beer. (Although it should absolutely 100% be Old Style -- that would even make a better bleacher name).
But the sign should be more in tune with the aesthetic.

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Good Call...

... isn't that Miller's line?

Be carefull, the corporate powers-that-be might revoke your bleacher seats.

I totally disagree..

I think the "sleek" sign looks fabulous. Great design.

ontheuptick - April 6, 2006 reply

Certainly better...

...than the sheet metal on the old facade, ja?

Wahkeenah - April 6, 2006 reply

Hey Short4

I don't think it clashes at all. I think it goes well with the elevators in back of it. As for sponsorship? Every stadium has Billboards all over the place and jumbo-trons spouting out advirtisement every 10 second. I would rather have them name the bleachers then put billboards in the outfield.

cubbiechris - April 6, 2006 reply

true, no outfield ads

are a welcome, unique touch. But look at the old, blue Chicago Cubs sign above the Bud Light sign. Just doesn't look right to me.

Short4Fanatic - April 6, 2006 reply

It's no worse than...

...the late Harry Caray and his "I'm a Cub fan and Bud man" ads in the 1980s. I am old enough to remember Harry's days with that team 300 miles south-southeast of Chicago, and his baiting of the Cubs in the 60s still sticks with me, even if he did re-invent himself as a Chicago icon.

Wahkeenah - April 6, 2006 reply

Rust and wear

I sure hope they don't wait too long to paint the rusting portions of the old bleachers. Or to spruce up the Wrigley Field sign. Kind of embarrassing to have everything new with the old and worn sticking out like a sore thumb.

cubz1963 - April 6, 2006 reply

GREAT pics!!

I know many have said it, but here's one more huge "THANKS" to the photographer and blog-meister for bringing us these pics all off-season.

I get pumped every time I see them, and doubly so w/ the pics from the last two days.

It'll be late May b4 I get up to a game, I can hardly wait!

btw, I don't have any problem w/ the BudLight Bleachers. It's a necesary evil of the times. Plus, I enjoy a nice cold Bud Light on occasion - who am I to complain?

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

Don't look now

but the Brewers are 3-0. Lending creedence to my off-season fear that they could run away with the NL Central this year.

Dang.

You can't be serious here...

... 3-0 has you convinced?

History: The 1987 Brewers started 13-0. They finished third, seven games out.

Not just the 3-0

but a far stronger team and a good start. I didn't say I think they will definitively win the division, I'm just saying that I am a little afraid that they will.

3-0...

... doesn't mean a thing. Keep in mind they were playing the Pirates.

and we're playing the reds

but we're 1-1.

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Reds-Pirates

The Reds staff is not good and their pen is horrid, however they have been and will continue to be one of the better hitting teams in the NL.

DmL

dmlichte - April 6, 2006 reply

understandable

but they are still the reds, and us not being able to beat them consistently didn't start yesterday. Good teams beat the teams they are supossed to.

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

My particular favorite is when...

we lose miserably to the Reds and go on to sweep the Cardinals. Makes you shake your head.

I've shaken myself retarded in the past over this.

Good teams beat the teams...

...they're supposed to MORE THAN NOT. But in this sport, ANY team can lose games here and there to inferior opponents.

Never saw the Yankees or BoSox go 17-0 against the Devil rays yet.

I am AMAZED at how much so many on this site are over-reacting to game #2 out of 162. There were actually people in the game thread yesterday that were convinced the SEASON was as good as over... in the 5th inning! Hell, the GAME wasn't even over!

It's like everyone has forgotten the nature of MLB and a 162 game season.

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

didn't say it was over

would i think they were a better team if they played a sound game yesterday instead of reverting back to everything they've been the last two years? Definately. The best way to shwo your not a .500 or worse team is to look strong, they didn't. How many people were talking monday-tuesday about about what good small ball and speed they were showing? The one game theory works both ways.

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Works both ways.

Indeed it does. There weren't nearly as many touting a new philosophy after game 1 as there were predicting failure during and after game 2 - from what I saw.

Either way, it's just silly.

Just as silly as expecting the Cubs to beat the Reds in EVERY game they play this year.

"Good teams beat the teams they're supposed to."

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

every game, sure

a two game series, not at all.

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

So....

Which particular games will it be okay for the Cubs to lose to the Reds?

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

give me a break

honestly, is it really all that much to ask for a good start out of the gate against an inferior team? I don't think it is, I guess I am hoping for much.

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

One break, coming right up.

I'm not trying to attack you and certainly don't think it's crazy to hope for a good start. But a good start is not yet out of reach!

I am just trying to point out that, during the course of the season, we're gonna lose a LOT of games. Even if, by some miracle, this turns out to be the best Cub team of my life time, we're gonna lose around 60 games! And in those (at least) 60 games, there will be plays here and there that will make professional baseball players look like little-leaguers, lazy-asses, and/or idiots.

Those individual plays, and those individual games don't necessarily mean those players and the team are horrible. It's just how baseball is.

Now if bad things consistantly happen involving the same players (or the whole team) over a long stretch, then THAT will be a pretty good indication. But there is NO POSSIBLE WAY we can tell that after 2 games. We won't be able to tell that after 20 games either. (Unless Rusch gets pounded every time from now till then.)

Mike, you are not even close to being among the most negative people on this site. I've only found this particular thread to express my annoyance at all the folks predicting doom and gloom 1/2 way through the 2nd game of the damn year.

Let's give the team a chance to show us who they really are b4 we write them off as the "same ole Cubs." (A phrase that just drives me NUTS when Cards/Reds fans use it.)

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

Look at it this way...

if the Cubs play .500 ball on the road, I'll take my chances.

brianp88 - April 6, 2006 reply

Yes,

I read somewhere that all the Reds have to do to be a winning team this year is outhit all of the other teams... oh yeah, they did that last year...

The Reds are just an itch we can't scratch for some reason.

I like the fact

That they're 3-0 despite Sheets being inured and one of their key players, Prince Fielder, starting the season 1-12 with 7 ks.

I still think the Brewers are one year away from serious contention, but they're a very fun team to watch. They sould finish ahead of the Cubs.

VS - April 6, 2006 reply

WAY too early

to get worried about the standings -- but i would note that, much more important than being behind a game and a half is being behind FOUR teams.

it's easy to make up ground on one team. much harder to make it up on four, because odds are one of them is going to win more games than you are -- over the next week, next month and the next six months.

gaius marius - April 7, 2006 reply

Well

Didn't meant to start a huge controversy, I just wanted to point out that the Brew Crew is off to a good start and that I think they are going to be tough this year.

I'm not sayin', i'm just sayin'.

Hahahaha,

Backpedal, Julie. Backpedal! :)

Allow me to 'splain

Dear BCB friends,

I think the Brewers are good. So far, they look better than us. They are 3-0. That is scary. We are 1-1 and Rusch ain't looking so good.

Love,
Julie

And...

... "baseball is a marathon, not a sprint."

Relax. It's THREE GAMES! (Two, in our case.)

I don't need to relax

because I'm not freaking out. All I was saying was "Damn, Milwaukee is off to a good start."

That's all I meant, seriously.

Whoa

I think people might be a touch defensive around here.
Maybe you should lay low in Napertopia for a couple days, Julie. (How's the head where I stomped on it a few days ago on the train platform?)
I think you must sit closer to the "engine" end of the train. I'm always in one of the first two cars at the opposite end of the train ... been wearing my road cap, but you haven't flagged me down yet . . .

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Seriously, you guys

this is one of those threads where what we are typing is not coming off how we mean it, I think.

I'm laughing over this, but I can see how it might sound like I'm being defensive and touchy. I'm really not.

Honestly, I'm not freaked out. I don't think it's over, I don't know who is going to win the division.

I grew up near the WI state line, and it was a lot faster for us to get to County Stadium than Wrigley--and cheaper. So when we didn't have Cubs tickets, we would drive up there to watch the Crew. I also lived really close to their minor league team, the Beloit Brewers, and spent many a weekend hanging out at Telfer Park.

So I've always been interested in the Brewers and cheered for them until they came into the National League.

I thought they had a chance to be pretty good this year, and now they are off to a 3-0 start. They might go 0-25 in their next 25 games. I know that. They just looked tough in ST against the White Sox, and they are off to a good start.

That was all I meant, really.

Hope no one took offense.

And . . .

I meant that THEY were getting defensive about the Cubs, not YOU were getting defensive about your post.
Aaarrrghhhh . . . we're drowning . .

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

lol

backpedal, backpedal

uh oh...

Must...fight...urge...to...be...defensive...about...being defensive...

Damn, too late.

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

Maybe . . .

someone should say something to Michael Barrett to make HIM get defensive!

(ba dum bum).
Thank you, I'll be here all week.

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

LOL!!

n/t

julie

i just don't understand why you're ready to anoit the Brewers as World Series champs, and why you think the Cubs are already done, that's all.

tomas21 - April 6, 2006 reply

just kidding

tomas21 - April 6, 2006 reply

However...

...one guy on ESPN's Sports Reporters was predicting the Brewers could be this year's White Sox. d:\

Wahkeenah - April 6, 2006 reply

LOL!!!!!

I don't know. . .just a feeling. If only I could relax. . . .

;)

I meant to tell you

i've been on the early and late trains lately, getting ready for a big trial in 2 weeks. Plus, there are tons of guys on the train in Cubs hats, you are going to have to be a little more specfic about yours!

naperville?

ugh

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Excuse me

We prefer "Napertopia". =)

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

interesting

we call it yuppiville. while we drink at your bars.

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Hey!

I wasn't always this way. I lived in Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville for a long time before I wound up out here.

That said, if you have to suffer the western 'burbs, Naperville is the place to be.

Relax?

Relax? I thought your mantra was Patience.

Andy @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

They go hand in hand

n/t

All the games we're going to

this year are Brewer/Cubs games. We love Miller Park and of course, Wrigley Field. Now we can look forward to real meaning in the compewtition between the two teams, too. Don't rule the Cubs (or the Brewers) out this year. Yet.

teacher tom - April 6, 2006 reply

Don't forget

the Sausage race. What a gas! (all puns intended)

Iowa cubs video available this season

I just noticed on milb.com that Iowa Cubs games are going to be available online this season. They originally had today's game like it was going to be available but have since taken the option down. I assume they are ironing some new technology out.

I am pretty excited about this. Pie, Guzman, Hill... I wish they gave access to every team though.

JonH - April 6, 2006 reply

Old bleacher entrance

Al, I know you've done this before, and I apologize for the repetition (I couldn't find one in the timeline) ..
Can you post a pre-construction shot of the old bleacher entrance, taken from across the street?
It would be great to see the wide shot side-by-side with the new one.
The "Bud Light Bleachers" sign is jarring, but I think putting the two next to one another will really emphasize how beautiful the new entrance is, with the green metalwork and all.
Just a thought.

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Here....

... are two of the photos you're looking for:

Photo 1

Photo 2

Thanks, Al!

I was thinking more along the lines of picture G in the new series (top of this post) - middle row, third across.
From across the intersection - a full shot of the entire entrance - from the top of the scoreboard to street level.
Do you have anything like that?
Don't stress over it, though. I appreciate that you took the time to find (and post) those!
Thx.

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

I don't have...

... a photo like that, at least not one that I can find without a huge search.

http://i2.tinypic.com/t65rnq.jpg

How about this one

I took this one in 2003

Kasey

kaseyi - April 6, 2006 reply

Thanks!

Have to say . . I think it looks better now.

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Wow

The new bleacher entrance is a great improvement over the old one!

deansanta - April 6, 2006 reply

My plan

Is to print off some of the BEFORE pictures and bring them with me to my first game this year.

Then, I'll repeat over and over, "This is SOOOOO different!" and "I can't believe how different it is!" until one of my friends threatens to throw me off the new patio.

BCurt10 - April 6, 2006 reply

Hey Al

You made the San Francisco Chronicle. Or at least this website did.

Josh Timmers - April 6, 2006 reply

Ha!

We're one above the Sox.

I actually saw that....

... thanks for posting it!

Thanks, Al!

I hated the way the comments threaded.

It all looks good. This weekend should be interesting and fun.

sparkles721 - April 6, 2006 reply

New Pictures

WGN has already posted pictures of the inside from the media tour today on their blog:
http://wgntv.trb.com/sports/baseball/cubs/wgntv-sports-040606-cubsgallery,0,7294415.photogallery?ind ex=1

Of note is this: "Contrary to some reports, the knothole in right field is accessible to fans off the street. The netting in front is designed to make the area more pleasing to the eye from inside, while allowing fans on the outside a view of the field."

cubsscoop - April 6, 2006 reply

I have to admit....

it looks like they did a pretty good job. The bleachers look great. I can't wait to get up there for the Detroit game to see it firsthand.

cubfanindy - April 6, 2006 reply

couple things

i don't see how they think the ivy on the exterior wall will survive. i think cubs fans will yank out plants as a souvenier like it was jim morrison's grave or something. and whoever the sox fans were that killed the ivy 2 years ago will have a much easier time killing ivy outside the stadium.
do the benches not match? it looks like they don't but i could be looking at it wrong.
i personally would not want to sit in that batters eye suite. what's the point of being that far away from the action AND being inside? it doesn't look like the glass opens.
overall, i think the work don makes the bleachers look a lot newer/fresher while preserving the integrity of the stadium. i guess i agree about the bud light sign looking a little mismatched, but it doesn't really bother me.

tomas21 - April 6, 2006 reply

Yep.

And another thing I wonder about... a glass window under a little roof in center field? In the 1940s they tried putting a canopy over the center field area to allow fans to sit there in shade, which didn't work. In the 60s they put a screen atop the wall, and the players hated it ("Whitlow's Wall"). I wonder how long it will be before a batter gets bonked in the head from losing sight of a pitch?

Wahkeenah - April 6, 2006 reply

Never happen

That batters eye window is very carefully designed to be completely non-reflective from the plate. Cincinnati has the same thing.

Tom @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Why can't we all just get along?

This is what happens when there's no game...

Sidd Finch @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

Great Pictures...

Thanks a ton Al, et. al.!

And speaking of painting those ugly steel beams, do the Cubs ever repaint the scoreboard itself? The fading patches of green look incredibly nasty. A new coat of forest green would be quite welcome!

Goat Whisperer - April 6, 2006 reply

I think...

...after the 2002 season it was repainted. I remember Dusty walking around Wrigley when he was introduced the scoreboard was all apart, being repainted. So yes it does get a paint job.

stadiumguru - April 6, 2006 reply

Yes it does...

...now and then, as the above writer noted. In fact, at one time, decades ago, it was more of a reddish color, as were the doors and gates on the wall. Who knows why. In the early 1980s, the doors were painted blue for awhile, which didn't work at all. But now everything is more of a green motif, which is much better.

Wahkeenah - April 6, 2006 reply

One of the more famous repaint jobs...

was after the scoreboard was on the cover of SI in 1987 It looked awful, and it was repainted soon after.

Does anyone recall if that was when they removed the matching orange lines indictating the SOX game-in-progress, and started referring to them as Chicago instead of SOX?

bison - April 6, 2006 reply

sorry bum link...

try this

bison - April 6, 2006 reply

Almost certainly.

I was just looking at photos I took at a game in mid-summer 1988, and by then it read "CHICAGO" on the American League side.

Wahkeenah - April 7, 2006 reply

Yes, that's when that happened...

n/t

Al Yellon - April 7, 2006 reply

al

any chances we can get some beofres to go with the afters of the actual bleachers themselves?

mike bornemann @ Bleed Cubbie Blue - April 6, 2006 reply

There's a post somewhere in here...

... with some photos David took in July 2005. If you search around you should be able to find it.