1938 Wrigley Field Center Field

It’s a great view of Wrigley Field center field on opening day in 1938, and a full house is on hand to see the newly renovated stadium. Total attendance rebounds this year to 951,640, as the North Siders roll to the National League pennant. Note the eight Chinese elm trees that line the new bleachers. This also is an idea from Bill Veeck Jr., the mastermind behind the outfield wall ivy. But the Lake Michigan wind and Chicago winter prove to be too much for the trees, which are replaced several times (at great cost) and finally removed. But the giant planters remain to this day. Use your imagination!

This shot of Wrigley Field center field is all part of a massive 1937 renovation that adds concrete bleachers and ivy to the outfield walls. A clock atop the Wrigley Field scoreboard arrives in 1941. The olive drab paint comes in 1944. And although lights are ready to go up in 1942, the North Siders scrap the towers for the war effort. The first game with lights is not until 8/8/88 – easy to remember! – but, alas, a rainout. 

The North Siders win the National League pennant this year, with workhorse pitchers Bill Lee (44 games, 22-9 record, 291 innings) and Clay Bryant (41, 19-11, 270.1) leading the way. A little known fact: A sore-armed Dizzy Dean goes 7-1 for this team. Alas, the club is crushed four games to none by the powerhouse New York Yankees in the 1938 World Series. It is the New Yorkers’ third consecutive title and seventh overall, with another to come in 1939. It’s just not right!

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