There are few venues in sports as universally recognizable as Wrigley Field, and few as unique.  From the ivy-covered outfield walls to the bathroom troughs and cramped clubhouses, Wrigley is about as unique as stadiums come.

Sure, maybe winning baseball hasn’t been a regular occurrence at Wrigley, but so what?  Who cares if the Cubs have never won a clinching playoff game in the stadium, or any playoff game there in more than 10 years? That doesn’t matter. It’s about the history.

Babe Ruth’s “called” shot happened at Wrigley in 1932.  Kerry Wood struck out 20 Houston Astros in one of the greatest pitching performances in major league history there in 1998.  The Steve Bartman game, which shall forever live in infamy, unfolded on those hallowed grounds in 2003.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pulci_SBVHk

Today, the stadium that still stands at the corner of Clark and Addison on the north side of Chicago is less than perfect.  Concourses are cramped, netting protects blocks on concrete from falling onto patrons and amenities are thin.  But it’s Wrigley Field.  It’s about the history.

It’s about the iconic, hand-operated scoreboard that still stands beyond the outfield wall.  It’s about the historic bleachers, the place where every baseball fan dreams of spending a summer day watching a ballgame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV0EmVlYjFc

During the next few off-seasons, the Cubs will begin the first phases of their $500 million renovation plan, which will modernize the park in many ways while maintaining its ambiance.  Changes are coming, but Wrigley has already proved that it can stand the test of time.

The Cubs celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first game played at the stadium April 23.  Back in 1914, the Chicago Federals of the Federal League played at Wrigley, then known as Weeghman Park.  In honor of that game, the Cubs wore Chicago Federals jerseys, while the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks wore Kansas City Packers jerseys, the team that opposed the Federals back in 1914.

In traditional form, the Cubs blew a three-run ninth inning lead to the Diamondbacks, who went on to win the game, 7-5.  In some ways, the game epitomized the history of the Cubs: so much hope at the beginning only to be disappointed in the end.  But that’s what being Cubs fans is all about.  Just ask this little kid.

https://twitter.com/Deadspin/status/459088601993998336

As with any other stadium, Wrigley Field cannot be properly viewed or experienced through a television set.  Until you walk through those gates and up those stairs and gaze at the history in front of you, you will never know what it is like.

One hundred years from now, Wrigley Field may no longer be standing, but the memories will remain.  Though no championships have ever been won by a baseball team in the stadium, it’s the memories than will remain in the minds of Cubs fans for generations to come, because for them, it’s about the memories as much as it is about winning.  So thanks, Wrigley. Happy 100 years. Here’s to 100 more.