Today in Chicago History: The Cubs get lights — and games at night

News Room

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Feb. 25, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 72 degrees (2000)
  • Low temperature: Minus 9 degrees (1900)
  • Precipitation: 0.73 inches (1926)
  • Snowfall: 6.7 inches (1994)
After a six-year debate, the Chicago City Council approved on Feb. 25, 1988, night baseball at Wrigley Field. (Chicago Tribune)

1988: Chicago City Council approved eight night games at Wrigley Field for the upcoming season in a 29-19 vote that was supported by Mayor Eugene Sawyer.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: How Wrigley Field got lights and why Cubs fans had to wait past 8-8-88 to raise ‘W’ flag

The measure, which passed three months after late Mayor Harold Washington endorsed a “middle course” plan for 18 night games, also meant Wrigley Field could host the 1990 All-Star Game.

The Cubs committed the following month to play at Wrigley Field until at least 2002. And citizens group CUBS threatened to sue: “Is there any other property owner in the city that has a 15-year clause allowing them to cause a nuisance?” the group’s President Paul Kendall asked during a news conference.

The Chicago Cubs announced on June 20, 1988, that they would play their first night game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 8, 1988 (8-8-88). Since 1948, the Cubs had been the only major league team to schedule all their home games during the day. (Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Cubs announced on June 20, 1988, that they would play their first night game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 8, 1988 (8-8-88). Since 1948, the Cubs had been the only major league team to schedule all their home games during the day. (Chicago Tribune)

The team announced on June 20, 1988, that eight games would be played in the evening — two starting at 6:35 p.m. and five starting at 7:05 p.m.

First up: Aug. 8.

"And so, at the appropriate moment, with cameras rolling, microphones humming, hail in the forecast and 40,000 breaths being held, Wrigley Field shone by night," the Tribune wrote about the Aug. 8, 1988 game, which was supposed to be the first night game at the ballpark for the Chicago Cubs until it was cancelled due to bad weather. (Chicago Tribune)
“And so, at the appropriate moment, with cameras rolling, microphones humming, hail in the forecast and 40,000 breaths being held, Wrigley Field shone by night,” the Tribune wrote about the Aug. 8, 1988 game, which was supposed to be the first night game at the ballpark for the Cubs until it was canceled due to bad weather. (Chicago Tribune)

The first game with lights drew far more attention than normally accorded a Monday matchup between fourth- and fifth-place teams. Dignitaries in the sellout crowd included Mayor Eugene Sawyer, Illinois Gov. James Thompson, baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and National League President Bartlett Giamatti. A resident-only parking ordinance also took effect around the ballpark.

Starting pitcher Rick Sutcliffe was nearly blinded by the thousands of flashbulbs that went off as he delivered the first pitch. Perhaps that was why Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Phil Bradley deposited Sutcliffe’s fourth pitch into the bleachers. Then, with the Cubs leading 3-1 in the fourth inning, the rains came. Not a light drizzle, but a downpour. After a two-hour rain delay, the game was called, obliterating it from the record books. “This proves that the Cubs are cursed,” said one fan, as she ran from the ballpark. The Tribune editorialized, “Someone up there seems to take day baseball seriously.”

Though a slightly smaller crowd showed up for the first complete night game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 9, 1988, the Chicago Cubs provided the fireworks by beating the New York Mets 6-4. (Chicago Tribune)
Though a slightly smaller crowd showed up for the first complete night game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 9, 1988, the Cubs provided the fireworks by beating the New York Mets 6-4. (Chicago Tribune)

In the first night game in Wrigley Field history that actually counted, the Cubs hit the New York Mets with four runs in the seventh inning, then held on for a 6-4 victory on Aug. 9, 1988, before 36,399 very noisy people.

“It might have been louder last night,” said Mark Grace, who drove in one of the runs in the decisive seventh. “But that’s the loudest for a complete game that I’ve ever been associated with.”

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com

Related posts