CUBS!

Wrigley Field is for those who like their coffee black, and their liquor straight up. Just pure, raw baseball. No frills. Just baseball. The fans at Wrigley take their game very seriously. Nowhere have we heard a more enthusiastic version of Take Me Out To the Ballgame, or more yelling, cheering, jeering, and noise. It is difficult to put into words, which is why there are so many more pictures for this post.

Like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow lies Wrigley's scoreboard. It is still operated by hand, just as it has been for the last 94 years. No Diamond Vision, no JumboTron. No contests, games, or entertainment. And you had better like the sound of an organ, because the sound system also hasn't been updated since it was installed, and sounds like a tinny Victrola. Very little has been changed or updated, except for adding a row of luxury boxes between its two decks.

But don't for a moment believe that this detracted from our experience. We LOVED this field! Nowhere else have we felt so vibrantly connected to the experience of baseball.

The carnival atmosphere.

The ghosts of great players past, as well as that of the great Harry Carey.

The intensity of the fans. Their great love of this park, the game, and their team.

The awe of a true neighborhood ballpark, with its pubs and shops and stands on top of buildings and FANS everywhere!

A true sense of history, and BASEBALL!

A beauty, isn't she?

Yes, our visit to Wrigley Field was exhausting, but we wouldn't have missed it for the world! A must-see for those who truly love the game of baseball. (That means you, Dad!)