I find it amazing that there is an entire generation of Cubs fans that never knew Wrigley Field without lights. Night games at Wrigley are just a foregone conclusion now.
In 1988 it was a BIG deal. For years the Tribune Company was fighting with the city to allow lights. Threats of a move to the suburbs and no home post-season games were made. Eventually a deal was struck allowing 18 night games.
The lights were added during the early part of the 1988 season. I remember checking the progress each time the Cubs returned home from a road trip. By August the work was done and the night schedule was announced.
8-8-88 would be the date of Wrigley's first night game.
The summer of '88 was very dry. We went weeks without rain. And when did relief finally come?
Of course, on 8-8-88. The Cubs got in a few innings before the sky opened up. The game was eventually washed out, to be replayed at a later date. That made the game on the next day the official first night game.
Few remember the game on 8-9-88. But the hoopla on 8-8-88 will never be forgotten.
I think they did a nice job with the design of the lights. Makes me feel old,though.
ReplyDeleteYes, the lights looked like they'd always been there.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the Cubs weren't playing at home. I would have loved to see them dig up Harry's first 7th Inning Stretch at night played on their Jumbotron.
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