Wrigleyville is so Electric it Gives You Chills
In real life I have the pleasure of working in the Wrigleyville area. While I am blocks from the park, I usually try to stay away from the ballpark because of traffic, and the urge to dump the rest of my workday to catch a ballgame.
This past week I’ve found myself just walking by the cathedral at 1060 W. Addison St. for no other reason but to be there. The ballpark, and establishments around it, often pass along a certain magic that brings you back to the first time you stepped into the park, recalling wonderful days spent with a parent or grandparent or friends from years past.
This week it had given off a different aura, one which is a familiar but unfamiliar feel all the same. It is like the ghosts of Chicago’s past is alive and greeting you as you walk up upon the historic marquee hanging above Wrigley Fields’ gates. Paranormal witnesses say you are overcome with emotion and feel chills if and when you are in the presence of a spirit. This has been my experience this past week.
As you drive down Clark St. looking for a place to park, you certainly notice the progress made on the new hotel building, but soon after find yourself smiling as there’s a line of people waiting to snap a selfie with Ernie Banks’ statue. There are families coming out of Clark Street Sports or Wrigleyville sports, the children ecstatic they now own a Kris Bryant or Anthony Rizzo or Javier Baez jersey. The chills then begin to overcome your body.
Then the magic kicks in. It is like there is a special glitter thrown on everything in Wrigleyville. The signs shine brighter, the people are smilier, and the sounds are so distinct you’d swear you’ll remember them forever.
Among tons of Cubs employees shuffling around preparing the ballpark for this weekends event, there are many people there for no other reason but to be there, like myself. I find myself driving several blocks out of my way to just take a short stroll down the road, enjoy a hot dog, or visit one of the other local bar and grills. I closely watch the interactions between complete and total strangers, as they give each other high-fives and yell “Go Cubs” to each other.
Wrigleyville has become a family reunion of sorts, with fans of all sorts, some who couldn’t spell Kyle Schwarber to those who recite ‘Baseball’s Sad Lexicon.’ There is no fairweather, there is no bandwagon, there is no judging – just Cubs fans unsure of how to handle the potential of history. There are media personnel from all over the world, calmly fitting into the neighborhood almost unnoticeable – besides the tag on their freshly purchase Cubs hat. At one point I was approached by a news reporter and another gentleman as they asked, “can you point us towards Murphy’s?” Laughing I pointed back towards the stadium as they laughed and mentioned they must have passed it three times.
The ghosts of Cubs past are filled with the Ernie’s and Ronnie’s and grandma’s and grandpa’s. Perhaps a friend that was taken too soon, or your favorite aunt that ate her lunch while watching day games. Each and every one of them have been reaching out to welcome you to Wrigley Field this week. It is almost as if they are saying their final farewells as they know a new legend will begin, and 108 years of the story ending in sadness is about to take a tremendous twist.
The Cubs and Wrigleyville have many ghosts in their rich history, but that couple block stretch has never felt more alive.
