Why the Cubs Can Never Leave Wrigley Field

When you think of the Chicago Cubs, one of baseball's oldest franchises, you are instantly swallowed by memories and images of Harry Carey,  seventh inning stretches, day games in the warm summer sun, historic Wrigley Field and its assets such as Ivy, and a hand operated scoreboard, and just having a good time. There is nothing wrong with that, but what you also think of is the "curse of the billy goat", the 1969 Cubs' late season collapse against the miracle Mets, Steve Bartman and 1908. That, however, is something wrong.

The former is the reason why the Chicago Cubs can never leave Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field is the Cubs' greatest asset. People from all over the world come to catch a ballgame there. If the Cubs didn't play at Wrigley Field, the Cubs would have nothing to sell.

Lets go back in time for a bit. During the 1960s and 1970s teams starting leaving their old ballparks and started moving into the "cookie cutter" stadiums. As was the case in Washington, Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis. This lead to the end of the jewel box stadiums such as Forbes Field, Crosley Field, Shibe Park, Sportsman's Park, and League Park. This left Comiskey Park, Fenway Park, Tiger Stadium, and Wrigley Field, and with the lone exception of Kauffman Stadium opening up in 1973, as the only baseball only park until New Comiskey Park was christened in 1991.

Lets say that the NFL's Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs both decided to leave Wrigley Field in 1970, and instead of the Bears moving to Soldier Field, the two teams teamed up and built a cookie cutter stadium somewhere in town. Fast forward a bit to opening day 1984, the Cubs haven't been to a playoff game since 1945, since 1972 the only non-losing season the Cubs had was in 1977 and that's with a .500 record. The collapse of 1969 is still a close memory, and finally: all the old Cubs' greats are long retired; Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, and Don Kessinger. But instead of beautiful Wrigley Field, the Cubs play at a stadium similar to Veterans park, or Three Rivers. With all due respect, the Cubs wouldn't draw anyone on those premises.

But, its because of the Tribune Company, and WGN, that allowed the Cubs to seize control of the city. When WGN became a superstation in 1984, Harry Carey's seventh inning stretches, day ballgames, and the spin machine of Wrigley Field the Cubs became a huge attraction. From 1984-1993 the Cubs drew 16,937,216 which averages to about 1,693,721 a season. But, from 1974-1983 the Cubs only drew 12, 191,554 which averages about 1,219,155 a season. In 1981 the Cubs only drew 565,637. But as the team slowly started to get better in 1982, and 1983, and with the emergence of WGN as a Superstaion the Cubs would be able to become the money machine they are.

For most of the rest of the 1980s and 1990s the Cubs would continue to flirt with .500, but usually were below it posting losing seasons in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 1999. Attendance was still up though. 

Tom Ricketts, the current owner of the Cubs, knows that he cannot leave Wrigleyville. A move to the suburbs would be disastrous. A ballpark in the nothern burbs, or even a new park downtown wouldn't have the appeal that Wrigley has. Sure, its a Chicago ballpark so people would come out, and it would make money, but there would be pressure to win. When people come to your ballpark regardless of the teams appearance, there is zero incentive to win. 

This is a luxury the Cubs have. The crosstown White Sox don't have that, they White Sox know they have to at least try to be competitive to get people to come out the games. White Sox fans get called out for that, but given the two choices. But which is better? Under the radar, potentially good, and reasonable prices (in theory, White Sox ticket prices prior to 2013 were really, really, steep) or root for the lovable losers and dish out a lot of money for tickets?

If the Cubs had been able to seal the deal in 1945, or 2003, then it wouldn't matter honestly. But curse of the billy goat became the Cubs' biggest blessing.