Wrigley Field: The Friendly Confines at Clark and Addison

Wrigley Field evokes a feeling of perpetual summer, youth, and dreams. Any mention of the ballpark at the intersection of Clark and Addison in Chicago conjures up images of the ivy on the outfield walls, the hand-operated scoreboard, Cubbie blue, and the park's vibrant neighborhood. Wrigley transcends time and transports its guests to a green oasis in the midst of a bustling city. Built less than 50 years after the Civil War, it was inaugurated when Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, and a century later it remains a testimony to the enduring power of our national pastime. This book is an ode to that storied ballpark, with detailed retellings of 100 games, including not only historic triumphs and defeats of the Chicago Cubs (and Federal League Whales), but also Negro Leagues matchups, youth championships, and even games by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Including the talents of over 50 members of SABR, the book also includes many historic photographs. With articles by Matt Albertson, John Bauer, Nathan Bierma, Thomas J. Brown Jr., Frederick C. Bush, Alan Cohen, Rory Costello, Richard A. Cuicchi, John DiFonzo, Greg Erion, Doug Feldmann, Scott Ferkovich, Merrie A. Fidler, Dan Fields, James Forr, Brian M. Frank, Gordon Gattie, Paul Geisler, Ed Gruver, Tom Hawthorn, Paul Hofmann, Mike Huber, Norm King, Russ Lake, Bob LeMoine, Mike Lynch, Mike Mattsey, Seth Moland-Kovash, Jim Nitz, Tom Pardo, J.G. Preston, Chris Rainey, Tim Rask, Alan Reifman, Stephen V. Rice, C. Paul Rogers III, Gary Sarnoff, Rick Schabowski, Ryan Schuring, Joe Schuster, Glen Sparks, Mark S. Sternman, Gregory H. Wolf, Brian Wright, and Don Zminda.

Includes games from 1914 through 2017:
The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field
Wrigleyville Neighborhood
The Evolution of Nicknames for the North Siders
Negro Baseball at Wrigley Field
April 23, 1914: Feds Open Weeghman Park, Pitcher Johnson Enjoined
October 3, 1915: Whales Clinch Federal League Title
April 20, 1916: First Cubs Game at Wrigley Field
May 2, 1917: Fred Toney Defeats Hippo Vaughn in Epic Duel
July 17, 1918: Tyler Outduels Watson in 21-Inning Marathon
August 24, 1918: Cubs Clinch Fifth Pennant in 13 Years with Doubleheader Sweep
September 21, 1919: Old Pete Needs Only 58 Minutes for Shutout
June 26, 1920: National High School Powerhouses Meet in the Friendly Confines
October 1, 1920: Old Pete Outduels Rookie Haines in 17 Innings
August 25, 1922: 49 Runs on 51 Hits
April 12, 1927: Cubs Wallop Defending World Champions on Opening Day
October 8, 1929: Ehmke Sets World Series Strikeout Record
October 9, 1929: The Double-X and Bucketfoot Al Show on the North Side
June 23, 1930: Hack Wilson Hits for the Cycle as Cubs Pound Phillies
September 28, 1930: Comeback Cubs Prevail As Wilson Sets RBI Mark
October 1, 1932: The Babe Calls His Shot… Or Does He?
October 2, 1932: The Yankees Crush the Cubs to Take Title
July 20, 1933: Babe Herman’s Three Homers Overwhelm Phillies
September 4, 1935: Galan’s Slam and Six RBI’s Flatten Phils To Start 21-Game Winning Streak
September 14, 1935: Cubs Take Over First
October 4, 1935: Cubs Stymied by Ejections, Errors, and the Schoolboy
October 5, 1935: Defense Dooms Cubs
October 6, 1935: Cubs Stave off Elimination on Klein’s Homer
August 13, 1937: A Mid-Summer Offensive Explosion
May 5, 1938: Epperly Wins Starting Debut as Cubs Pulverize Phillies
September 28, 1938: Hartnett Hits Homer in the Gloamin’
October 5, 1938: Ruffing Shackles the Cubs
October 6, 1938: Sore-Armed Dizzy Loses on Crosetti’s Late Home
July 4, 1939: Hank Leiber Provides Fireworks with Three Home Runs
May 5, 1943: Claude Passeau Bests Max Lanier in Extra-Inning DuelJ
uly 1, 1943: The First Game Played Under the Lights at Wrigley Field
July 18, 1944: The AAGPBL Plays in the Second Night Game Ever at Wrigley Field
The Curse of the Billy Goat
And many more!