Wrigley Field granted federal landmark status

Wrigley Field has been named a National Historic Landmark to recognize "the significant role the ballpark has played in the city of Chicago and the history of professional sports."

Thursday's announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior also automatically places the ballpark on the National Register of Historic Places. Wrigley has been eligible for that list since 1987.

The Ricketts family, owners of the Cubs and the stadium, will now be eligible for federal income tax credits on the facility.

The stadium, which already has local landmark status, has undergone major renovations in recent years under the Ricketts' ownership, most notably the addition of two electronic scoreboards in the outfield, the rebuilding of the bleachers and moving the bullpens from the playing field to underneath the bleachers.

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