BallHype - Latest Wrigley Field News Articles

Cubs come to grips with early exit

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 21:26:00 +1900

All might not be well in Cubs Nation, but at least the players are beginning to swallow what just happened, as the Cubs cleaned out their lockers at Wrigley Field on Monday, fewer than 48 hours after getting swept out of the National League Division Series for the second consecutive season.

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Cubs fans feel the pain as season ends

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 22:37:29 +1900

CHICAGO (AP) -- Jennifer Butera stood outside Wrigley Field on a rainy Sunday afternoon, lamenting h...

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Cubs fans in shock as season ends (AP)

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 22:11:10 +1900

Jennifer Butera stood outside Wrigley Field on a rainy Sunday afternoon, lamenting how Cubs fans will have to wait another season, at least, for a chance to see their team in the World Series. "I can't believe we have to wait another whole year," the 27-year-old high school teacher said, adding that "it's hard work to be a Cubs fan." Chicago lost 3-1 to the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Saturday...

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America as Defined by the Cubs and Baseball at Wrigley

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 07:50:13 +1900

It hurts. Yes, it hurts. There is always next year; there is always next century. Yes, it hurts. However... As an American expat, as a North Side expat, who moved from Chicago to Europe in the late '70s, when I am asked about the United States and what is like to live in the States, I almost invariably end up describing what is like to sit way up above first base in Wrigley Field and watch a Cubs game. If there is one thing I really miss after all these years, it is a certain atmosphere only found along the lakefront, the smell of popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, the cry of the hawkers, the tarred smell of the El tracks when heat goes up, the boats out on the lake, the wind blowing in, and the long slow ceremony known as baseball. Baseball—a mixture of team effort and the simultaneous duel between pitcher and batter, arcane rules, long, slow afternoons, and shrine of tradition—is a key to understanding who I am and what America is. They can't take this from the people on the ...

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Life as Defined by the Cubs and Baseball at Wrigley

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 07:50:13 +1900

It hurts. Yes, it hurts. There is always next year; there is always next century. Yes, it hurts. However... As an American expat, as a North Side expat, who moved from Chicago to Europe in the late '70s, when I am asked about the United States and what is like to live in the States, I almost invariably end up describing what is like to sit way up above first base in Wrigley Field and watch a Cubs game. If there is one thing I really miss after all these years, it is a certain atmosphere only found along the lakefront, the smell of popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, the cry of the hawkers, the tarred smell of the El tracks when heat goes up, the boats out on the lake, the wind blowing in, and the long slow ceremony known as baseball. Baseball—a mixture of team effort and simultaneous duel between pitcher and batter, arcane rules, long, slow afternoons, and shrine of tradition—is a key to understanding who I am and what America is. They can't take this from the people on the North ...

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Cubs fans are loyal but disappointed

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 05:23:00 +1900

After 100 years, they can't help but feel Cubs are due. A contingent goes to game at Dodger Stadium to support the team. > Seeing their Cubs lose the first two games to the Dodgers in the National League division series was no less agonizing for Cubs fans in Southern California than for those at Wrigley Field.

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Piniella sets story straight on pep talk

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 01:47:00 +1900

The Cubs trail the best of five series, 2-0, and need a win Saturday to keep it alive. Lou Piniella delivered his message after Thursday's 10-3 loss at Wrigley Field and it did not include any yelling or screaming, despite some reports by the Chicago media that he did just that to some of the Latin players.

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From the Cubicle: Cubs-Dodgers

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 01:26:00 +1900

Live play-by-play commentary of Game 3 of the NLDS between the Cubs and Dodgers from a guy who's out of answers > Live play-by-play commentary of Saturday night's Game 3 of the NLDS between the Cubs and Dodgers from a guy who's out of answers. Cubs view: How to get it going against L.A. Dodgers view: How they can sweep the Cubs Mike Downey: Southern California looks ominous Game 3 preview: It's simple Cubs, just win one Fred Mitchell: Zimmer's pick between Torre, Piniella Specter of 'chokers' hovers over these Cubs Zambrano could start Game 5 at Wrigley Field These 2 Cubs have been there, done that Is it deju vu again for Cubs fans in playoffs?

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Even in enemy territory, bragging rights are tough to come by

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 05:31:05 +1900

On the big screens at Bernie's just across Clark from Wrigley Field, the White Sox-Rays playoff game was competing with the European womens' golf tour and the Channel 2 local news.

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Unfriendly confines? Cubs hit the road

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 17:04:00 +1900

Thursday's loss to the Dodgers stretched the Cubs' postseason skid to eight games, five of which have come at Wrigley Field, where Chicago owns just a 7-20 all-time postseason record.

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Cubs tie dubious mark with miscues

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 15:21:00 +1900

The Cubs tied a dubious postseason record in Thursday's NLDS Game 2 loss to the Dodgers at Wrigley Field when each infielder committed an error.

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Cubs fans find hot seat -- and one of the cheapest

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 09:42:12 +1900

One of the hottest seats at Wrigley Field was also one of the cheapest.

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Cubs try to make history with comeback

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 08:09:00 +1900

If the Cubs win two games in Los Angeles, then they come back to Wrigley Field for a Game 5 and a chance to become the first National League team to win a Division Series after being down 2-0.

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The Cubs are coming apart like a cheap book

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 06:02:00 +1900

Chicago become unglued as usual in the postseason, while the Dodgers continue to play with a carefree air about them. > The fans here sat quietly through Game 1, as if posing for a painting in Wrigley Field, while the Cubs played dead.

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Dodgers defeat Cubs, 10-3

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 05:59:00 +1900

Chad Billingsley is dominant, Manny Ramirez hits a home run and the Cubs collapse defensively as L.A. takes a commanding 2-0 series lead. > CHICAGO -- The Dodgers routed the Chicago Cubs, 10-3, at a stunned Wrigley Field on Thursday night to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the National League Division Series.

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Torre's 2001 Yanks dug out of 0-2 hole

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 05:17:10 +1900

When it comes to digging a postseason hole in your own backyard, Joe Torre has been there, done that. So the Los Angeles Dodgers manager could empathize with counterpart Lou Pinella as the favored Cubs left Wrigley Field Thursday down 0-2 in the best-of-five NLDS.

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Manny, Martin power Dodgers past Cubs (AP)

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 04:55:36 +1900

After two duds by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers look ready to run Chicago's championship drought to 100 years. Ramirez hit a mammoth homer to extend his postseason record, Russell Martin had a three-run double and the Dodgers took advantage of four errors by the clumsy Cubs in a 10-3 victory Thursday night that gave them a 2-0 lead in the NL division series.

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Cub flub: Manny, Dodgers take 2-0 lead over Cubs

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 04:55:29 +1900

After two duds by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers look ready to run Chicago's championship drought to 100 years.

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Dodgers take 2-0 lead over Cubs

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 04:53:23 +1900

After two duds by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers look ready to run Chicago's championship drought...

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Five-run second propels Dodgers

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 04:48:00 +1900

Working with a huge early lead in Game 2, Chad Billingsley silenced the Cubs and their Wrigley Field crowd into the seventh inning and the Dodgers cruised to a 10-3 victory in the best-of-five National League Division Series Thursday night, putting the underdog NL West champs one win away from advancing to the NL Championship Series.

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One frame brings unwanted memories

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 03:17:00 +1900

If the Cubs take this record drought of World Series championships into a second century, then what happened in the second inning on Thursday night at Wrigley Field will be added to the long list of franchise frustrations.

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Why the Cubs Were Booed out of the Ballpark Wednesday

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:30:22 +1900

The "boo birds" made an early appearance at Wrigley Field on Wednesday when Alfonso Soriano struck out to begin the bottom of the first inning. The booing continued throughout the evening. Here's why: Cubs fans are passionate, much like Carlos Zambrano. When things don't go well, they tend to get fired up—especially when they spent an average of $300 per ticket. Ryan Dempster hadn't walked seven batters in one game since 1999. Why now? Speaking of walks, the Cubs walked the opposing pitcher, Derek Lowe, twice. That's two times. Count 'em. The 2008 Cubs were invincible at home, winning almost two-thirds of their games at Wrigley Field. The fans simply aren't accustomed to losing...at least not this year. This is the Cubs' seventh straight postseason loss. Alfonso Soriano went 0-for-5, swinging at pitches so far out of the strike zone that it was almost comical. The rest of the lineup didn't fare much better. The Cubs were 2-for-15 with runners on base. National League teams ...

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Cubs fan arrested for throwing ball at Dodgers player

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +1900

A Lincoln Park man was arrested for attempting to strike Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez with a baseball during the Cubs Wednesday night playoff loss at Wrigley Field.

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Highs and lows around Wrigley Field

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +1900

The Cubs faithful returned to Wrigleyville on Thursday with a mixture of hope, nerves and, for some, fractured confidence.

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Sox shocked Cubs in 1906

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 06:01:00 +1900

Everybody who played the last time the Cubs and the White Sox made it to the same postseason is dead. In 1906, neither Wrigley Field nor Comiskey Park was built yet. So the once-in-a-century (plus two years) event has both the North and South Sides buzzing.

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Starter Dempster talks the walks

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 05:17:05 +1900

Seven walks from Ryan Dempster any time, let alone at Wrigley Field, was never a part of the regular season.

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Dodgers off to grand start, 7-2 win over Cubs

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 05:15:41 +1900

Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre brought their winning postseason ways to the Los Angeles Dodgers — and Wrigley Field. James Loney hit a...

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LA Dodgers slam Cubs

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 04:18:51 +1900

CHICAGO - Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre brought their winning postseason ways to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Wrigley Field. James Loney hit a go-ahead grand slam off a...

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Dodgers' win was a bleacher bummer

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 04:10:00 +1900

The most devoted fans of the Cubs have to sit through a loss on the way to what they hope is a World Series title. > It's 52 degrees and getting colder at Wrigley Field as Manny Ramirez, waiting for the next Cubs hitter, shoves his right hand into his back pocket to keep warm.

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Zim's like old times as Joe shares post-Yankee glee

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 03:40:00 +1900

Wrigley Field makes Joe Torre think of Don Zimmer, so the manager called his old coach before Wednesday night's game "just to see what he was doing." Zimmer, a special assistant for the Rays, had the day off Wednesday.

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Loney's slam leads Dodgers over Cubs 7-2 (AP)

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 02:05:55 +1900

Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre brought their winning postseason ways to the Los Angeles Dodgers -- and Wrigley Field. James Loney hit a go-ahead grand slam off a wild Ryan Dempster, Ramirez and Russell Martin homered and the new-look Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in their NL playoff opener Wednesday night.

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Wild Dempster puts Cubs in early trouble (AP)

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 02:04:52 +1900

This was no way for Ryan Dempster to back up his bold prediction. The man who turned heads by forecasting the Cubs would win the World Series went wild and failed to make it out of the fifth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Chicago 7-2 Wednesday in their NL playoff opener. Dominant at Wrigley Field during the regular season, Dempster tied a career-high with seven walks and gave up a grand...

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Loney, Manny power Dodgers past Cubs 7-2 in opener

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 02:03:21 +1900

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Dodgers take Game 1

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 01:37:00 +1900

Ryan Dempster walked the bases loaded and gave up a grand slam to the Dodgers' James Loney in the fifth inning, and Los Angeles took the first game of the National League Division Series from the Cubs, 7-2 at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. RosenBlog: Congrats! Your reward? Dick Stockton Tribune staff predicitions: All the playoff games Rick Morrissey: Talking to the elephant in the room Mike Downey: Blue not the only Cubs-Dodgers link Odds drop as bandwagon fills Good time to be great Fans relish chance to sit in 'Bartman seat' at Wrigley

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Billingsley won't break from routine

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 22:20:00 +1900

When he arrives at Wrigley Field on Thursday, Chad Billingsley will grab a bite to eat, watch about 30 minutes of video on the Cubs, maybe ride the exercise bike for 10 minutes or so and then do some stretching. In short, it will be just a typical game day for the Dodgers starter.

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Meeks to lead hundreds in protest during Cubs playoff game

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 08:39:27 +1900

Hundreds of school funding protestors are expected to converge outside Wrigley Field today during the Cubs playoff, but they won't be ringing the stadium as originally planned.

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Dempster, offense fail Cubs as L.A. rolls 7-2 in Game 1

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 06:01:00 +1900

Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre brought their winning postseason ways to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Wrigley Field. James Loney hit a go-ahead grand slam off a wild Ryan Dempster, Ramirez and Russell Martin homered and the new-look Dodgers beat the Cubs 7-2 in their NL playoff opener Wednesday night.

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10 best wins of 2008

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 05:45:15 +1900

1. Date: Sept. 20 Location: Wrigley Field Score: Cubs 5, Cardinals 4

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In a series made for Hollywood, Angels will top Dodgers

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 05:01:21 +1900

My heart tells me to go with the Cubs, and the feel-good spectacle of 100 years of misery ending in a Wrigley Field dogpile, with Lou Piniella...

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Torre knows Hollywood role

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 04:11:00 +1900

It is a familiar sight this time of year, Joe Torre's creased face in front of a microphone, discussing the start of another October series. He did it for years in pinstripes, but he was clad in Dodger Blue Tuesday at Wrigley Field.

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Jim Belushi isn t a Dodger blue brother

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 03:54:00 +1900

He may work in Hollywood, but the actor is a Chicagoan through and through. > CHICAGO -- I'm waiting for luggage at O'Hare with Jim Jim Belushi . We're both going to be at Wrigley Field tonight.

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Raising battle flag in 100 years' war

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 03:16:00 +1900

Cubs appear ready to come through on Dempster's vow > The vines are beginning to change color and the grass is a perfect shade of emerald green. Wrigley Field is ready for an extended October run. Will the Cubs be ready too? Cubs pick up Piniella's 2010 option Good move? Cubs' time capsule of 2008

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Old Hands, Winning Touch

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 02:06:54 +1900

Lou Piniella’s Chicago Cubs will host Joe Torre’s L.A. Dodgers when their National League division series opens Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. >

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Cubs trying to keep expectations in check

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:53:00 +1900

Chicago has the NL's best record, and many fans believe the team can win the World Series, ending a 100-year drought. But players and management take a cautious approach. > CHICAGO -- A few steps from Wrigley Field, on the other side of Addison Street, is a store that sells Chicago Cubs souvenirs where the sign in front reads "This is Our Year."

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Yanks fans divided on Cubs-Dodgers

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:43:00 +1900

Two figures near and dear to Yankees fans hearts will take their teams head-to-head in the National League Division Series, as Joe Torre's Dodgers and Lou Piniella's Cubs prepare to open their best-of-five series on Wednesday at Wrigley Field.

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Bars agree to stop serving alcohol after 7th inning

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +1900

Bars and restaurants surrounding Wrigley Field reluctantly agreed today to stop serving alcohol after the 7th inning of potential title-clinching Cubs playoff games, but only after City Hall made a last-minute concession: The prohibition will end if the games go into extra innings.

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Brewers survive wild ride

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:09:16 +1900

MILWAUKEE -- Twice this season it looked like the Cubs had left the Milwaukee Brewers' season for dead. First they swept the Brewers in a four-game series in Milwaukee at the end of July, then they shocked them with a ninth-inning comeback and 12-inning victory at Wrigley Field just 11 days ago.

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Dodgers say they won't be confined by Wrigley

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:30:00 +1900

Players insist their 0-3 record at Cubs' ballpark and 2-5 overall mark against Chicago this year will be of little consequence in the teams' playoff series that starts Wednesday. > SAN FRANCISCO -- As the Dodgers head to Chicago to open the postseason, they find it of little consequence that Wrigley Field proved to be unfriendly confines in the regular season.

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DeRosa questionable for Game 1

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:21:00 +1900

With the Game 1 of their NLDS matchup set for Wednesday at Wrigley Field, the Cubs are hoping Mark DeRosa's strained left calf will allow him to play.

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Gary Smith Gets It in his Sports Illustrated Article on the Cubs

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:55:45 +1900

The current SI contains a brilliant Gary Smith piece on the Cubs and Wrigley Field. Among the most poignant observations is from a fan who wishes for one World Series win and then a reversion to Cub-ness so he can "have (his) stadium back." Amen. Tribune ownership and WGN promoting Wrigley as a tourism destination changed the character of the park. A one-time bastion of baseball knowledge and mutually supportive resiliency against heartbreak—which showed us at our best—has become just another venue for YouTube idiocy. A World Series win will make my heart full, and I will welcome a return to the time when, other than true fans, Wrigley was empty.

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