Yeah, it's been a while, but today is a special day. 20 years ago, 08.08.88 the first night game was played at Wrigley Field, making it the last existing MLB park to add lights. The game against Philly was rained out in the 3rd inning. The image above is of the first pitch of that game. The Cubs went on to beat the Mets on August 9th in the first complete night game at Wrigley.
A little history on the lights at Wrigley...they were scheduled to be installed in 1942 (Fenway got them in '47), but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Phillip Wrigley (original owner William's son) donated the materials to the war effort. It wasn't until the Tribune Company took over in 1981 when talks of lights started again. I mean c'mon, what good has the Tribune Company done for the team? They wanted the revenue from night games but there was resistance from, well, everyone. During the '84 playoffs it was decided that if the Cubs were to advance to the World Series they would lose their home field advantage so that there would be more games at night, and on prime time TV. They didn't make it to the WS (duh) and it was then decided by the new commissioner that if they did not add lights, ALL future post season games would have to be away games.
I know, I know, it had to happen...but nothing beats a 1:20 PM start in the Friendly Confines.
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