Comparing cathedrals: Fenway vs. Wrigley
By Bruce Miles
bmiles@dailyherald.com
When the Cubs take on the Boston Red Sox this weekend, it will be their first visit to Fenway Park since the 1918 World Series. Fenway opened in 1912 and will celebrate 100 years in baseball next season. Wrigley opened in 1914, and the Cubs took up residence in 1916. Here are some facts, figures and fun surrounding these two baseball cathedrals:
Fenway Park
Year opened: 1912 Estimated cost: $650,000
Field dimensions today
Left-field line: 310 feet
Left-center field: 379
Center field: 390
Deep center field: 420
Deep right field: 380
Right-field line: 302
Signature features
Ÿ Green Monster: 37-foot high left-field wall
Ÿ Pesky Pole: Right-field foul pole named for Johnny Pesky. Left-handed pull hitters can curl home runs around the pole, but watch out, the right-field wall juts out quickly.
Cool quirk
The initials of former owners Thomas A. Yawkey and Jean R. Yawkey are represented in Morse Code on the American League scoreboard on the Green Monster.
Outside landmarks
CITGO sign overlooking the Green Monster
Best player of park's quirks
Left fielder Carl Yastrzemski could play the caroms off the Green Monster like no other, decoying runners and limiting the bases they took.
Best way to get there
Take the “T” to Kenmore
Memorable games
Ÿ Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. Carlton Fisk homers off the left-field foul pole to beat the Reds, ending perhaps the best baseball game ever played.
Ÿ Ted Williams's final at-bat. The Splendid Splinter goes out with a homer, but doesn't tip his cap.
Ÿ The “Bucky Dent game.” Yankees shortstop pops a homer over the Green Monster in 1978 to beat the Red Sox and break a tie in the American League East on an extra day of the season.
Ÿ Red Sox clinch the 1967 pennant, achieving the “Impossible Dream.”
The one who got way
Babe Ruth
Wrigley Field
Year opened: 1914 for the Chicago Whales of the Federal League
Estimated cost: $250,000
Field dimensions today
Left-field line: 355 feet
Power alleys: 368
Center field: 400
Right field 353
Signature features
Ÿ Ivy-covered outfield walls
Ÿ Hand-operated scoreboard above center-field bleachers
Cool quirk
The Cubs fly a “W” or “L” flag after each home game to convey whether the team won or lost. This allows el riders to get the result as they ride by.
Outside landmark
Rooftops on surrounding buildings, where fans can watch the games
Best player of park's
Pitcher Ferguson Jenkins kept the ball down and didn't let the wind bother him as he carved out most of his Hall of Fame career with the Cubs.
Best way to get there
Take the el to Addison Street
Memorable games
Ÿ Ernie Banks' 500th home run. “Hey-hey,” Ernie hits No. 500 in May 1970
Ÿ The “Sandberg Game.” Ryne Sandberg hits 2 homers off Cardinals relief ace Bruce Sutter, and a star is born.
Ÿ The “homer in the gloamin.'” Gabby Hartnett hits one as darkness descends, setting the stage for the Cubs to win the 1938 pennant.
Ÿ The “Bartman Game.” Enough said.
The one that got away
Lou Brock
Ÿ Follow Bruce Miles this weekend as he reports from Fenway Park via Twitter @BruceMiles2112 and join the conversation with Cubs fans at our Chicago's Inside Pitch blog at dailyherald.com.