With technology on their side, 213 frigid fans–most of whom won the Cubs’ online seat lottery–got to be the first to sit in the best seats in Wrigley Field, the three new rows behind home plate. The majority were lucky enough to be selected at random to have a chance to buy four tickets for any single game. A few bought from a service or scalper.
A few season ticket-holders were a bit chagrined at their demotion from first to fourth rows. But the opportunity for fans to sit just behind catcher Paul Bako for the home opener wasn’t going to be passed up by lottery winners, despite the $250 price tag per seat.
Barnaby Dinges
From: Evanston
Paid: $250 (face value)
Seat: Third row
How about it: “This is like a heckler’s paradise. You can give a little advice to Dusty [Baker]. Forty-five years as a Chicago Cubs fan, never been to Opening Day. I feel guilty my kids aren’t here, but you’ve got to earn this. I do like to heckle, so I’m going to be very disciplined.”
Tom Novicki
From: Chicago
Paid: $250
Seat: Second row
How about it: “It’s a tribute to wireless technology. I had a Blackberry [in Portland, Ore.] and it buzzed, said, `You won.’ I ran to the car, got out my laptop and logged on. I’m not a huge fan of technology, but it paid for itself. If I didn’t have my Blackberry and my wireless, I’d never be here. … It’s a different game out here.”
Patrick Schmidt
From: Spring Grove, Ill.
Paid: Bought season tickets
Seat: Fourth row (used to be front row)
How about it: “The tickets have been in the family for 20 years. Just like the Cubs, we get dealt a tough blow. It would have been nice to be in the front row, scraping your knees against the bricks.”
New look, same team
How the Cubs have fared in Wrigley Field openers following certain renovations to the park:
1938 Bleachers, ivy
In the 1937 to ’38 off-season, the Cubs built the bleachers and scoreboard. Bill Veeck was responsible for planting the signature ivy on the outfield wall in ’37.
THE FIRST GAME BACK
Opponent: St. Louis
Score: Lost 6-5
Date: April 22
Attendance: 15,669
Season record: 89-63-2
The Cubs lost the World Series to the Yankees, 4 games to none.
1970 Outfield basket
The Cubs already had played 10 games at home when the basket was added to “help control littering and keep exuberant patrons from leaning onto the field,” the Tribune wrote.
THE FIRST GAME BACK
Opponent: Cincinnati
Score: Lost 5-2
Date: May 7
Attendance: 16,101
Season record: 84-78
Cubs finished five games behind Pittsburgh
1988 Lights
More than 100 games into the season, the Cubs played their first game under lights in Wrigley. The ensuing rainout only fueled those who believed adding the lights was an act against nature.
THE FIRST GAME BACK
Opponent: Philadelphia
Score: Rained out
Date: Aug. 8
Attendance: About 40,000
Season record: 77-85-1
Cubs finished 24 games behind New York Mets
2004 Seats behind home plate
The Cubs added 213 new seats behind home plate in time for the home opener against Pittsburgh. A lottery determined most of the lucky few to sit in the prime seating.
THE FIRST GAME BACK
Opponent: Pittsburgh
Score: Lost 13-2
Date: April 12
Attendance: 40,483
Season record: 3-4
2 games behind Cincinnati
Souce: Baseball Almanac, Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Tribune.
