1937 Wrigley Field Bleachers Bill Veeck

The North Siders build the Wrigley Field bleachers during the 1937 baseball season. A young Bill Veeck Jr. (in the dark suit), a true baseball visionary, oversees construction. This includes concrete bleachers to replace the old wooden ones; a fanciful, hand-operated centerfield scoreboard; and, ivy on the outfield walls. The extensive project is complete September 4, 1937. Meanwhile, even with the disruption of construction, the North Siders go 93-61 – but that’s only good enough for second place behind the New York Giants.

Outside the Wrigley Field bleachers, note the rooftop ad for the (John E.) Ricketts Restaurant and Bar. This pub operates for decades at 2727 North Clark Street. It is just one of several Chicago area Ricketts restaurants open until the early 1970s. What’s so interesting about that? This Ricketts family has absolutely no relation to the present-day team owners. It’s a complete coincidence! Isn’t that crazy? These restaurateur Ricketts hail from Park Ridge, Illinois – not Nebraska! That’s where Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade, makes his billions. He then buys the North Siders in 2009. And the rest, as they say, is history!

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