And there was light...
Aug. 8th, 2008 04:36 pmThe lights have been on at Wrigley for 20 years now.
There's an interesting article about the various things connected with lights at Wrigley.
Some things I hadn't known:
1. P.K. Wrigley intended to install lights in 1942, and ordered light standards in 1941. These weren't for "real" night games, but for twilight games starting at 6 p.m. After Pearl Harbor, Wrigley donated the 165 tons of steel to the U.S. army for the war effort.
2. The Cubs would eventually submit plans for lighting at least three times, but those plans were rejected by the War Production Board.
3. In 1942, the Cubs officially entered into negotiations with the White Sox for a limited night schedule at Comiskey Park. Nothing came of it.
4. On June 25, 1943, the Cubs played a twilight game against the Cardinals starting at 6 p.m. CT. This date was chosen because June 25 is one of the longest daylight days of the year.
5. (This one is a grudge I've been holding for years, and it turned out not to be true.) Dallas Green claimed the Cubs lost the home-field advantage in the 1984 NL playoffs -- but they didn't. The Eastern Division Phillies had home-field advantage in 1983, which meant the Western Division-winning Padres were scheduled for the home field in 1984.
And the Cubs just won the first game of the series against the Cardinals in the 11th inning, and are now five games ahead of the Brewers and six ahead of the Cards. And it's August!
There's an interesting article about the various things connected with lights at Wrigley.
Some things I hadn't known:
1. P.K. Wrigley intended to install lights in 1942, and ordered light standards in 1941. These weren't for "real" night games, but for twilight games starting at 6 p.m. After Pearl Harbor, Wrigley donated the 165 tons of steel to the U.S. army for the war effort.
2. The Cubs would eventually submit plans for lighting at least three times, but those plans were rejected by the War Production Board.
3. In 1942, the Cubs officially entered into negotiations with the White Sox for a limited night schedule at Comiskey Park. Nothing came of it.
4. On June 25, 1943, the Cubs played a twilight game against the Cardinals starting at 6 p.m. CT. This date was chosen because June 25 is one of the longest daylight days of the year.
5. (This one is a grudge I've been holding for years, and it turned out not to be true.) Dallas Green claimed the Cubs lost the home-field advantage in the 1984 NL playoffs -- but they didn't. The Eastern Division Phillies had home-field advantage in 1983, which meant the Western Division-winning Padres were scheduled for the home field in 1984.
And the Cubs just won the first game of the series against the Cardinals in the 11th inning, and are now five games ahead of the Brewers and six ahead of the Cards. And it's August!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 09:55 pm (UTC)And the Cubs just won the first game of the series against the Cardinals in the 11th inning, and are now five games ahead of the Brewers and six ahead of the Cards. And it's August!
Freaky, isn't it? *g*
*does little, tiny, non-tempting-fate happy-dance*
no subject
Date: 2008-08-09 03:42 am (UTC)