Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the world. Nicknamed “The Friendly Confines,” Wrigley has been home to countless memorable moments in baseball history since it opened in 1914. Let’s explore some riddles and trivia about this legendary ballpark!
The Stadium
Wrigley Field is over 100 years old – it opened on April 23, 1914. Originally named Weeghman Park after the Cubs’ first owner, Charles Weeghman, it was renamed Cubs Park in 1920 before becoming Wrigley Field in 1926 after chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. acquired the team and stadium. Wrigley is the second oldest active major league ballpark behind Fenway Park in Boston.
Riddle 1: What is the capacity of Wrigley Field?
Answer: The current seating capacity at Wrigley is 41,649.
Riddle 2: What are the dimensions of the playing field at Wrigley?
Answer: It’s 352 feet down the left and right field lines, 400 feet to straight away center field, and 355 feet to the power alleys.
Riddle 3: What National League team has Wrigley Field been home to since 1916?
Answer: The Chicago Cubs.
Riddle 4: What is the address of Wrigley Field?
Answer: 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Riddle 5: What year did Wrigley Field host its first MLB All-Star Game?
Answer: 1990.
Riddle 6: Which was the first night game played at Wrigley?
Answer: August 9, 1988.
Riddle 7: What was the original name of Wrigley Field?
Answer: Weeghman Park (1914-1920)
Unique Features
In addition to its iconic scoreboard, Wrigley has several unique features that set it apart from other ballparks:
Riddle 8: What grows on the outfield walls at Wrigley?
Answer: Ivy.
Riddle 9: What stadium fixture was installed in 1937 that displays baseball scores?
Answer: The iconic manual scoreboard.
Riddle 10: What apartment building overlooks Wrigley Field’s bleachers?
Answer: Sheffield Avenue Apartments.
Riddle 11: What is the name of the steel catwalk near the top of the foul poles?
Answer: The Andy Frain Walkways, named after the team’s former usher captain.
Riddle 12: What shape are the lights on each foul pole?
Answer: Cylindrical.
Riddle 13: What color are the seats at Wrigley Field?
Answer: Green.
Riddle 14: What is hung from the centerfield scoreboard during Cubs home games?
Answer: A white flag with a blue “W.”
Riddle 15: How many rows of outward-facing seats surround the outfield?
Answer: Three rows.
The Field
Let’s explore some riddles about the playing field itself:
Riddle 16: What is the name of the brick backstop behind home plate?
Answer: The Green Monster.
Riddle 17: What material are the foul poles at Wrigley Field made of?
Answer: Steel.
Riddle 18: What patch of dirt near the pitcher’s mound is raked and watered by hand?
Answer: The bullpen mound.
Riddle 19: What is the name of the underground batting tunnel built in 2017?
Answer: The Cubs Underground.
Riddle 20: What material makes up the warning track around the field?
Answer: Brick.
Riddle 21: What patch of grass did the Cubs paint green during championship drought years?
Answer: A circle around the center field flagpole.
Riddle 22: What clings to the outfield walls every summer?
Answer: Ivy.
Riddle 23: What two ballparks use a brick backstop behind home plate besides Wrigley?
Answer: Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium.
The Stands
Let’s move out to the stands with these riddles:
Riddle 24: What section of seats overhangs the sidewalk outside Wrigley?
Answer: The Upper Deck.
Riddle 25: What section is known as the “Bleachers?”
Answer: The seats in center and right field.
Riddle 26: What section of seats is closest to home plate along the baselines?
Answer: The Field Boxes.
Riddle 27: What section is directly behind home plate and includes indoor and outdoor seating?
Answer: The Grandstand.
Riddle 28: What section offers wide, cushioned seats behind the Grandstand?
Answer: The Terrace Reserved section.
Riddle 29: What section offers the highest seats directly behind the plate?
Answer: The Upper Deck Box.
Riddle 30: What secton along the foul lines has seats angled towards home plate?
Answer: The Infield Boxes.
History & Memorable Moments
Wrigley Field has hosted countless memorable moments. Here are some riddles about Cubs and baseball history there:
Riddle 31: What future Hall of Famer hit his 500th home run at Wrigley in 1971?
Answer: Ernie Banks.
Riddle 32: What pitcher tossed a no-hitter in 1972 for the Cubs at Wrigley?
Answer: Milt Pappas.
Riddle 33: What team did the Cubs play in the 1945 World Series at Wrigley?
Answer: The Detroit Tigers.
Riddle 34: What future Hall of Fame announcer called Cubs games at Wrigley for 47 years?
Answer: Harry Caray.
Riddle 35: Which Cubs player hit the “Sandberg Game” tying home runs off Bruce Sutter in 1984?
Answer: Ryne Sandberg.
Riddle 36: Which pitcher tossed a no-hitter at Wrigley in 1972 for the Phillies?
Answer: Rick Wise.
Riddle 37: Which Cubs third baseman infamously tried to catch a foul ball in the stands during the 2003 NLCS?
Answer: Steve Bartman.
Riddle 38: Which Cub hit three home runs during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series at Wrigley?
Answer: Babe Herman.
Riddle 39: Which team defeated the Cubs in the 2016 World Series?
Answer: The Cleveland Indians.
Riddle 40: Which Hall of Fame pitcher made his MLB debut with the Cubs at Wrigley in 1952?
Answer: Bob Gibson.
The Rooftops & Surrounding Area
Wrigleyville and the neighborhoods around Wrigley Field are part of the experience. Here are some riddles about the area:
Riddle 41: What street runs immediately west of Wrigley Field?
Answer: Sheffield Avenue.
Riddle 42: What El station is closest to Wrigley Field?
Answer: Addison.
Riddle 43: What neighborhood is Wrigley Field located within?
Answer: Lakeview.
Riddle 44: What plaza with statues and monuments to Cubs legends is located just outside Wrigley?
Answer: Gallagher Way.
Riddle 45: What popular bar and restaurant is located directly across from Wrigley on Clark Street?
Answer: Murphy’s Bleachers.
Riddle 46: How many buildings with rooftop bleachers overlook Wrigley Field?
Answer: About 16 buildings.
Riddle 47: What neighborhood bar is known as a popular spot for Cubs fans and players?
Answer: The Cubby Bear.
Riddle 48: What street borders the main entrance to Wrigley Field?
Answer: Clark Street.
Riddle 49: What plaza located above the Addison Red Line station is filled with Cubs bars?
Answer: Addison & Clark.
Riddle 50: What upscale restaurant is located across from Wrigley on Addison Street?
Answer: Sushi-San.
Famous Cubs Players
Many Cubs legends have played at Wrigley Field over the years. Here are some riddles about the players:
Riddle 51: Which Hall of Fame pitcher had most of his wins with the Cubs and wore #31?
Answer: Ferguson Jenkins.
Riddle 52: Which Hall of Fame second baseman played his entire 19-year career with the Cubs and wore #14?
Answer: Ryne Sandberg.
Riddle 53: Which Hall of Fame shortstop was nicknamed “Mr. Cub” and wore #14?
Answer: Ernie Banks.
Riddle 54: Which Hall of Fame outfielder batted .308 over 12 seasons with the Cubs and wore #26?
Answer: Billy Williams.
Riddle 55: Which Cubs third baseman was the 1989 NL MVP and wore #23?
Answer: Ryne Sandberg.
Riddle 56: Which catcher was the 1979 NL Rookie of the Year and wore #17?
Answer: Rick Sutcliffe.
Riddle 57: Which pitcher won the 1984 NL Cy Young award with the Cubs and wore #46?
Answer: Rick Sutcliffe.
Riddle 58: Which 1990s pitcher had his number 31 retired after years with the Cubs?
Answer: Greg Maddux.
Riddle 59: Which Hall of Fame pitcher had over 300 wins including most with the Cubs?
Answer: Grover Cleveland Alexander.
Riddle 60: Which Hall of Fame outfielder spent 13 seasons with the Cubs and wore #8?
Answer: Andre Dawson.
Food at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field offers a wide variety of concession food. Here are some riddles about the ballpark eats:
Riddle 61: What hot dog brand is famously served at Wrigley Field?
Answer: Vienna Beef hot dogs.
Riddle 62: What local Chicago popcorn brand is sold in Cubs helmets at games?
Answer: Garrett Popcorn.
Riddle 63: What spice do they put on the hot dogs at Wrigley Field?
Answer: Celery salt.
Riddle 64: What beer company’s products can be found throughout Wrigley Field?
Answer: Anheuser Busch/Budweiser.
Riddle 65: What soda company is the official soft drink of the Chicago Cubs?
Answer: Coca-Cola.
Riddle 66: What local doughnut shop supplies doughnuts at Wrigley Field?
Answer: Stan’s Donuts.
Riddle 67: What Italian sausage sandwich is popular ballpark fare at Wrigley Field?
Answer: A Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich.
Riddle 68: What candy company operates a sweet shop at Wrigley Field?
Answer: M&M’s.
Riddle 69: What restaurant brand offers pizza at Wrigley Field?
Answer: Uno Pizzeria & Grill.
Riddle 70: What burger restaurant brand has a stand inside Wrigley Field?
Answer: Hamburgers & Hot Dogs by Portillo’s.
Conclusion
Riddle 71: What song is sung by Cubs fans after every home win at Wrigley Field?
Answer: “Go, Cubs, Go” by Steve Goodman.
Wrigley Field is truly a one-of-a-kind baseball cathedral with a storied history. These riddles cover everything from the ivy-covered walls to the retired numbers hanging above the bleachers. After over 100 years of memorable moments, Wrigley remains hallowed ground for Cubs fans as they cheer on their team while singing “Go, Cubs, Go!”
