1937 Wrigley Field Bleacher Construction

The Wrigley Field bleacher construction takes place in 1937. It’s a great view of left field, then west down Waveland Avenue across the railroad tracks to a Texaco gas station on Clark Street. Surprisingly, the massive renovation takes place during the baseball season. The bleachers, outfield ivy and fancy, hand-operated scoreboard officially open in September 1937. The big round clock is not added until 1941, with the olive drab scoreboard paint coming in 1944.

God only knows how soon after the Wrigley Field bleacher construction ends that a verbal war between left field and right field begins. The “Left field sucks!” versus “Right field sucks!” bleacher rants – so popular in the 1980s and 1990s – only occasionally permeate the outfield air today. But if you squint your eyes and look real hard at these bleachers, you just may see the ghost of Bill Veeck Jr., hopefully shirtless, with beer in hand. It’s because of Veeck, only 23 years old in 1937, that the concrete bleachers, hand-operated scoreboard and ivy walls are built. 

Learn more about this print in About and Frequently Asked Questions. Or visit the Shop for more ideas.