Cubs history: The Wrigley Field scoreboard under construction

This Shall be A particular Sort of historic photograph article. On this case I don’t Want to sleuth the date, as a Outcome of it acquired here with the caption provided with the photograph:

When the umpire yells “play ball” to open Chicin the past Cubs’ 1961 season right here 4/14. the famed inexperienced vines clinging to Wrigley Area’s outfield fence will add their colour to the event. Here, veteran floor keeper Albert Gargulo rigorously prunes the inexperiencedery in left field 4/3, as completely different workmen paint large scoreboard (backfloor).

On The very Greater of this photograph I’ve proven you solely the scoreboard, as a Outcome of that’s what I’m Specializing in for This textual content material. On The prime of This textual content material I’ll submit The complete photograph displaying the ivy-pruning.

What I need to name to your consideration right here is The biggest facet of the board, wright here “AMERICAN” is partly obscured behind a row of inning plates. Why is that?

When the board was uniquely constructed, And by way of 1960, it seemed Sort of like this (with some colour modifications alongside The biggest method):

That photograph was taken July 23, 1960, as sleuthed in This textual content material right here final yr. You will Have The power to see the board Arrange for 16 teams, Since the primary leagues had been established for six many yrs, Because The start of the Twentieth Century.

For the 1961 season, the American League added two teams, The l. a. Angels and Washington Senators, the latter changing the “previous” Senators, who moved to Minnesota And have become the Twins for 1961. So tright here was An further row needed for scores for 5 AL video recreations. The NL Wouldn’t match that enlargement For An further yr, when The mannequin Ny Mets and Houston Colt .45s have been added in 1962.

So when this photograph was taken April 3, 1961, the phrase “Nationwide” had already been positioned at The very Greater of the board, wright here it refacets to Right now. However “AMERICAN” had not but been moved. (Wright here that upfacet-down phrase “SUBURBAN” acquired here from is misplaced to the mists of time.)

As you can see from the photograph, the board was Arrange for 5 video recreations on All facets, Regardless of The very Incontrovertible actuality that the N.L. Wouldn’t increase For An further yr. The unused line on the NL facet was taken up by the phrases “NEW YORK HOUSTON 1962,” as proven on this photograph from April 29, 1961:

For A a lot greater mannequin of that photograph, which reveals the board in higher element, click on right here.

So the photograph at The very Greater of this submit captured a second in time in between the previous and the new, as the now-iconic Wrigley scoreboard was being modified. It was modified as quickly as as quickly as extra earlier than the 1969 season, when the leagues increaseed to 12 teams every. Since then, although, the board has reprimaryed in its association of six video recreations on All facets. Tright here’s in all probability not room So as to add any further video recreations, and now that the board is landmarked it’s in all probability not potential To vary its format anymethod. Thus when tright here’s a full slate of 30 teams and 15 video recreations, three video recreations Aren’t proven.

Again to the April 3, 1961 photograph for a second: It reveals “SOX CUBS” on The very biggest left line. The Cubs did, Truly, play a pre-season exhibition recreation as quickly as extrast the White Sox at Wrigley Area Saturday, April 8, 1961, earlier than “12,956 chilled followers,” reported the Tribune. It was 36 levels at recreation time (1:30) and The primary time the teams had confronted Each completely different since 1957.

The Cubs gained 4-1 behind An complete-recreation efficiency by Dick Ellsworth, who scattered 11 hits and struck out 4. Don Zimmer went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Cubs and Billy Williams, who would finally be NL Rookie of the Year that season, drove in a pair. None of that helped the Cubs in what Can be ancompletely different miserable dropping season. They accomplished 64-90, the fifth time in eight seasons That they had 90+ defeats.

Here’s A greater mannequin of the photograph at The very Greater of this submit from 60 yrs in the past this previous April, a view that, Afacet from a basket at the entrance of the bleveryers and juniper bushes Inside the hitters’ backfloor space, isn’t all that completely different today:

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