Happy Opening Day Eve, to all those who celebrate. As the Chicago Cubs begin their first season post Ricketts fire sale, optimism about their fortunes this season is in short supply. Honestly, if this team of no-names can finish third or higher in the NL Central, well that might be an accomplishment just in itself.
With an idea of the present being kind of bleak and the future, at least for now, not so bright, it’s a great time to look back to the past, at the legends of yesteryear. Also, we’re not kidding about being bearish on the Cubs prospects this season.
If you want to do some sports wagering, like you would at casinononaams.casino, then you’ll see the Cubs above just four teams in the pecking order for the NL pennant odds. That means you have ten teams with more bullish odds in front of the North-Siders.
As for the new statue plans, they’ll be set up in Gallagher Way, outside the Friendly Confines. It’s the new “Statue Row” (see the artist rendering above), which will be the new home for almost all the Wrigley Field statues, including the Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo and Billy Williams shrines, but excluding the Harry Caray honorific, which will remain in its current location outside the bleachers.
Which is where it should be. Wrigley Field also has a new flag on the exterior rooftop that honors the first Black coach in A.L. or N.L. history, Buck O’Neil, and his enshrinement into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Also, here are the new Wrigley Field food offerings for this upcoming season.
- The Twisted Tater: crispy spiral potato skewer served with dill pickle dip
- Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich: breaded chicken breast dipped in Nashville hot sauce topped with coleslaw and bread and butter pickles, served on a toasted brioche bun
- Smoked Brisket Sandwich: slow-smoked Lillie’s Q beef brisket dipped into a zesty barbecue au jus and topped with giardiniera, served on a hoagie roll
- Maxwell Street Style Pork Chop Sandwich: seasoned pork cutlet, caramelized onions and mustard on a toasted bun
At least they have Nashville Hot now, and thus they stay on the cutting edge of culinary trends…from 5 years ago. Which definitely reminds us- the craft and premium beer selection and availability at the ballpark is really very overpriced and just greatly underwhelming.
It’s clear that the Ricketts seem much more focused on the restaurants and bars that they built outside the ballpark, then within it. Finally, you have the list of promotions and entertainment for the first homestand at Wrigley Field this season.
YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!
Adjust accordingly.
From Cubs Press Release covering the first homestand of the season:Sunday, April 10, Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 1:20 p.m. CDT
7th inning stretch: Actor and comedian Jim Belushi— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) April 6, 2022
Jim Belushi, seriously? Yes, his much more talented and way funnier brother was taken from us far too soon, but how long are we going to try and do a make up call on that by continuing to prop up his overrated and overexposed brother? Enough already.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.