The friendly confines of Wrigley Field first welcomed the Chicago Cubs in 1916, serving the Chicago area and the beloved Cubs fan base as backdrop to healthy juxtaposition of fun-filled family days at the ballpark and well-documented post season agony. Taking to the field just 8 years after their second of back to back World Series titles in 1907 and 1908, Cubs fans hoped the new stadium would welcome winning teams for years to come. Ultimately, the top echelons of baseball success have eluded the Cubbies, though they have had relative success in terms of records and pennants. Still, tempered expectations have in no way diminished fans appreciation of their one of a kind ballpark, endearing fans amid the anguish. Surrounded by a collection of bars and restaurants, “Wrigleyville,” as the area has come to be known, is a often a place for Cubs fans to drown their sorrows after another season of unfulfilled expectations.Perhaps Wrigley’s most iconic image is its ivy covered wall, growing thicker as the seasons progress. At times, the ivy can be a concern for opposing players and Cubs outfielders alike as more than a few balls have been momentarily lost beneath the wall’s green outer layer. As the occurrence became more and more common, lost balls began being treated as ground rule doubles, just as they would were they to have bounced over the wall or wedged beneath it. The ivy wall, along with the old-fashioned hand turned scoreboard and retro main entry marquee help to preserve the history of Wrigley Field, joining Fenway Park in Boston as the only stadium to stick with a central manually operated scoreboard as opposed to more high tech digital alternatives. The Windy City’s wind patterns, in particular as they apply to long fly balls, have only enhanced the field’s unique feel. At times, the wind blows in from the bleachers over the wall, making it nearly impossible for deep flies to turn into 4-baggers, however when the wind turns, routine cans of corn can easily find their way to the fans’ side of the fence.All in all, Wrigley Field is a truly inimitable experience for both baseball players and fans of the game, a must-visit destination for those with baseball in their blood.