CHICAGO (WZZM) - I am not a Chicago Cubs fan. Hate is a strong word, but, I may in fact, hate the Chicago Cubs. All things Cubs are not liked by fans of the Chicago White Sox.
But then there's the Winter Classic. I may have just fallen in love with Wrigley Field for the first time in my life.
Tuesday I was given the opportunity to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at the extravaganza known as the NHL's Winter Classic. I can't even begin to tell you what an amazing production the league has planned.
First, let's start with the asthetics. Wrigley Field not only has ice lying across the infield, even it's exterior is being made to look like an NHL arena. All 30 NHL team flags are flying across the outside of the stadium. The league is covering the building with signage featuring the logos of the Red Wings and Blackhawks. They're even building a fan festival outside of the wall that runs along left field featuring a stage and interactive exhibits for kids. The amount of people working this event for the NHL is nearly equal to those that would put on the Super Bowl.
Then there's the star of the show, the ice rink. Tuesday marked the first day anyone could skate on the rink as the weather finally allowed for it's completion. The ice is cooled by a massive tractor trailer which is set out on Sheffield Avenue in right field. The refrigeration hoses are run through right field and to the rink... and the ice is amazing!
As I skated with around 100 other people ranging from media types to former Chicago Blackhawks like Jerry "King Kong" Korab and Cliff Koroll, we all couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces.
Many people have skated on an outdoor rink at a place like Rosa Parks Circle in GR, or perhaps Rockefeller Center in NYC, but there is nothing like this. 40,000-plus empty seats around the rink, the old-fashioned green scoreboard, the "hibernating" ivy, on the outfield wall... who would have thought this was possible? Now they're going to play an NHL game here on Thursday? Wrigley Field was always something to behold before, but it has raised its game this week.
As I write this column I still find myself smiling, thinking about the sun shining over the press box as I skated laps around the "infield ice." I'll hold plenty of fond memories from the day gone by and I'll actually embrace some things Chicago Cubs... at least for a few more days.
In your voice
