Wrigley Field LA revisited

Discussion in 'Sports Board' started by gipper, Aug 20, 2007.

  1. gipper

    gipper Well-Known Member

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    I've now finished my research on this matter and thought I'd file my report. My investigation took me to Catalina Island and the town of Avalon. There I visited the museum there which had a wealth of information. It seems that at one time the Wrigley family owned the island. With the family owning the Cubs it was natural that they wouldl travel to the island for their spring training. The field that they used for their team practices is still there on the island.
    Of course other teams weren't thrilled by having to travel to the island to play the Cubs in preseason games so a field was built in LA. At least, that how it appears to me.
    The Cubs continued to spend their springs on Catalina until '51.
    Though I'm currently in Chicago, I'm through with this topic.
     
  2. Terry O'Keefe

    Terry O'Keefe Well-Known Member Administrator

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    Did they build a chewing gum factory on the island as well!! :)

    BTW how was Santa Catalina as a place to visit?
     
  3. Sid

    Sid Well-Known Member

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    I know that the island is 26 miles across the sea.

    And I know that Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me.

    And I know that Santa Catalina is the island of romance, romance, romance, romance.

    8)
     
  4. gipper

    gipper Well-Known Member

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    The island makes for a delightful day trip especially this time of year when the temps are in the mid 70s. Lots of nice places to eat and renting a golf cart and touring the Avalon area was very interesting. Sitting on the pier, downing a beer, watching the young ladies in their skimpy swim suits....well, it doesn't get much better than that.
     
  5. gipper

    gipper Well-Known Member

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    Sid
    Funny you should mention the lyrics. At the museum on the island they have the gold record plaque that the 4 Preps got for that song.
     
  6. Sid

    Sid Well-Known Member

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    I think I'm one of the few people here old enough to remember it.
     
  7. mrsjoco

    mrsjoco Active Member

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    :D I WISH i KNEW YOU WERE HERE WE WOULD HAVE GONE WITH YOU. MY COUSIN, A RETIRED FIREMAN LIVES ON THE ISLAND HE HAS A BOAT DOCKED IN THE BAY . THE ISLAND IS REALLY NICE PLACE TO VIST DID YOU SEE ANY WHALES ON THE WAY OR COMING BACK / LAST VIST WE SAW 5 SWIMING IN THE CHANNEL .THE FIRE THEY HAD ABOUT 6 MOS AGO ALMOST DESTROYED THE ISLAND
     
  8. gipper

    gipper Well-Known Member

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    On the way over a number of people moved to the opposite side of the ferry to watch something but we didn't see anything.
    We could see the edge of the fire damage that was very close to the town limits. There was a very nice tribute to all the firemen who traveled from LA to the island to fight the blaze.
    We were in town for a few days because Mary had a meeting at the Ritz in Laguna. Beautiful place.