Imrem: Still some questions about upcoming Wrigley renovations

Sunday was reminiscent of the chilly autumn days way back when the Bears played in Wrigley Field.

Chilly in the sun. Chillier in the shade. First-pitch temperature at 61 degrees. Wind from the northeast at 14 mph, Last-pitch temperature feeling more like 41.

This was a traditionally meaningless September game for the Cubs and traditionally meaningful September game for the Dodgers.

"They're trying to clinch a division," Cubs' manager Ricky Renteria said after the Dodgers' 8-5 victory, "and we're trying to show people who we are."

The game dragged on for 3 hours, 45 minutes, and provided plenty of time for daydream reflections.

Primary among them was that this - our respective schedules being what they are - would be the last time I would be in this particular version of Wrigley Field.

As I look out from the press box behind home plate toward both Waveland Avenue and 2015, it's expected that litigation permitting, video boards will ring the back of the bleachers by next Opening Day.

That's just the beginning of the end of this ballpark as we know it. Other alterations will be made over the next few years.

Don't take that wrong: It's fine with me that Wrigley Field isn't going to be the same old Wrigley Field anymore.

The dump should have been blown up a couple decades ago and replaced by high-rise condominium buildings while the Cubs played somewhere in the suburbs.

The Ricketts ownership insists on staying at Clark and Addison, however, so a renovation it will be.

Many of the details have been announced - especially ones concerning the land beyond the bleachers and onto the streets - but I don't recall hearing much about what will be done to the lower bowl and upper deck.

Attention has been centered on economics, as in revenue generators for Cubs' ownership, and competition, as in improvements to the players' facilities.

Not as much has been mentioned about upgrades in fan conveniences, though it's presumed they will be considerable.

Video boards will alter the nature of Wrigley Field, but that's OK. The Budweiser, Toyota sign, Under Armour and Weber Grill signs already blend in nicely and future ones will, too, even as large as they figure to be.

Fans will grow accustomed to big-screen advertisements for a car that drives itself, followed by one for lower insurance rates in 15 minutes, followed by one for a pop drink that ushers us toward a beach party, followed by an image of Javier Baez wrenching his back flailing at a pitch.

But as Harry might have blurted from the TV booth, "Hey, what about the fans?"

Steel girders and concrete will be fortified, and it'll be great to know that the ballpark won't crash down on your head.

Concession stands beneath the stands will be pushed back to widen the concourse, and it'll be neat to be able to breath while walking to a new and improved restroom.

But will seats be widened from standard early 20th century width to early 21st century width? All those hot dogs and peanuts do put on the pounds, you know?

Will customers filling the last few rows of the lower grandstands still be blocked by the suites or finally have a clear view of the entire field?

Will the busloads of fans from Iowa even care about any of this if the additional revenue streams translate into a team that wins a World Series?

Hopefully they will because this isn't a very comfortable ballpark right now and still won't be unless the Cubs' plans include convenience as well as cash.

It would be comforting to know that the Wrigley Field makeover won't leave fans out in the cold.