Wrigley doesn't need to be downtown because it is in a high traffic, affluent area already.  The close proximity of residences, bars and restaurants makes Wrigleyville a great area for a ballpark.

 

Also, Wrigleyville has been "yuppified" for a lot longer than 5-10 years - more like 20 years - which, coincidentally is around the time Cubs attendance and fan base skyrocketed.  The fact that all those affluent "yuppies" watched the Cubs on WGN as children and couldn't find the Sox games on TV certainly helped to make them all devoted Cubs fans.

Property Values and Rents exploded in the last 10 years. Lots of long time residents up there can't afford their property taxes or rents anymore. It wasn't always like it is now.

I know this is the unpopular opinion here, but, Mariotti is right about his criticisms of Jerry Reinsdorf. 100% right.

In the next five years the land around Comiskey will be worth more than Wrigley.  Walk around the park some time especially south and look at the homes they are putting up.  In the late 80's Wrigleyville was terrible.  Over the next 10-15 years the South Loop extending down the city will be completly revamped and US Cellular field will be right in the middle of it.  Look at the work they are doing to the Ryan in the next few years and all of the land available to develop.  It is ten minutes from my seat at work (Michigan and Wacker) to my car and then to the park.  People would complain about the price of parking and lack thereof if the stadium was built in the Loop.  Not to mention the congestion.

Hey, I hope you're right about the area around Cellular field being developed and worth more than the area around Wrigley. But 5 years? Come on. There is absolutely no way that the Bridgeport area will be worth more than lakefront, north shore properties in 5 years. Impossible.

 

Also, you can't talk about the South Loop and 35th street in the same sentence. There is no comparison. In fact, the renovation of the South Loop proves my point. If Comiskey was there now, it would be standing room only.

 

I wonder what the cost/benefit ratio would be to demolish the Cell and build a new park in the South Loop. I think that's the only way the Sox could dramatically increase their fan base.

I heard back in the late '70s, Wrigleyville had a serious gang infestation problem. And that those people who started buying the property when the Chicago PD started getting them out of there were extremely smart as now that property is probably worth 10 times the amount they originally paid.

 

 

They're doing the same now by USCF. With a parking lot and easier transportation via the Dan Ryan and the close proximity to downtown, USCF will have a serious attendance boon in the coming years.

Why the hell would anyone want to move the cell anywhere? Its fine where it is, i have no problems taking the train there at all. Some people are just lazy. I dont want The Cell to be full of yuppies cuz i dont want to be surrounded by idiots only talking about the latest gossip about "That guy Phil from the H.R. Department." Like how it is in Wrigley. If anyone is going to be talking at the Cell it better be about baseball.

It's all about the South Side folks. It's what separates us from "them."

 

I grew up in the NW suburbs, but both my parents grew up around old Comiskey, and we spent a ton of time at the ol' park as kids and ol' Chicago Stadium. I'm damn proud to be a White Sox fan and damn proud to be part of a community of fans that actually give a s*** about baseball.

 

We shouldn't recreate Cubbyville. They can have their loveable loser reputation and yuppie fans.

We shouldn't recreate Cubbyville.  They can have their loveable loser reputation and yuppie fans.

:fthecubs

I'd gladly allow morons to fill the empty seats if it allows JR to spend enough to bring a World Series to the Cell.

I'd gladly allow morons to fill the empty seats if it allows JR to spend enough to bring a World Series to the Cell.

Absolutely...I don't care whether the fannies in the seats are yuppie fannies or rich fannies or north side fannies. More fannies, more money for the team to spend and more excitement for the players on the field.

 

All this silly talk about not wanting fans who talk about their jobs while sitting at the game is just alot of defensive whining because of the comparison to the Cubs . I hate the Cubs, but I would take an exact replica of their fan base any day.

I'd gladly allow morons to fill the empty seats if it allows JR to spend enough to bring a World Series to the Cell.

You are assuming that JR would spend more money if attendance rose...I think that would just be more profits to line his pockets.

You are assuming that JR would spend more money if attendance rose...I think that would just be more profits to line his pockets.

Regardless, I would still love to see the park filled. But, in the long run attendance is high on my list of worries.

 

My aunt the Cub fan was over for dinner last night and was watching the game and of course the first comment was, 'Look at how empty the part is.' I swear it took all my patience to hold back from letting out a verbal tirade.

You are assuming that JR would spend more money if attendance rose...I think that would just be more profits to line his pockets.

Why wouldn't you? Attendance has always been proportional to payroll change. Attendance goes up, payroll goes up, and vice versa.

Bringing the yuppies that Wrigley has to the cell would be a bad thing. Then we would have people like that parent that complained that Dusty Baker was swearing at the umpire and threatened to call the commissioner because of it. Its all about the atmosphere for me. Im doing my part in going to all the sox games i can. Very generally speaking, the sox should have more fans than the flubs because if we are talking North Side VS. South side, the south side of Chicago extends farther than the northside. I know we have the fans to fill up the cell, its just a matter of somehow getting them to actually show up!

 

P.S. Excuse me if my arguement sounds retarded, i just woke up, bear with me plz.

I wish 97.9 would get rid of Bruce Wolf. The guy is pathetic. He barely mentions that the Sox won last night and rips on attendance just about everyday.

 

Bruce Wolf makes me :puke !

We shouldn't recreate Cubbyville. They can have their loveable loser reputation and yuppie fans.

 

if you think Cubbies are gonna remain lovable LOSERS, you're naive.

 

They have a new sheriff in town in Hendry and a nice 95 Mill payroll to get it done.

 

With Prior, they're going places. Without him, they'll just get Washburn or some such and will reload in 2005. Your father's Cubs are dead. These guys are for real, unfortunately.

 

The point being....I could cares less WHO is in the park as long as it allows the Sox to have the 3rd highest payroll in AL.

 

In fact, I would actually enjoy having Sox Park half-filled with Kubbie bandwagoners because that would allow me to make fun of them right there and then AND it would be hilarious cuz their dollars would be helping the Sox win the 'Series. Good times.

In fact, I would actually enjoy having Sox Park half-filled with Kubbie bandwagoners because that would allow me to make fun of them right there and then AND it would be hilarious cuz their dollars would be helping the Sox win the 'Series.  Good times. 

Never thought of it that way, GJ. :fthecubs