Almost 30 years after lights: Wrigley Field — then and now

By John Silver

A general view of the field during the national anthem July 4, 2017 at Wrigley Field. | David Banks/Getty Images

It has been nearly 30 years since lights came to Wrigley Field, and plenty of change has followed. The Sun-Times looks at the many differences between the Wrigley Field of the late 1980s and the modern-day version.

The marquee

Not too much of a visible change. It was overhauled after the 2015 season and updated with a new, clearer LCD lighting system. And the Toyota ad is a new addition. You can see the green security entrances to the park in the modern version.

A fan protesting no lights in Wrigley Field taken during a game in the 1988 season. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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Fans walk outside Wrigley Field before Game Five of the 2016 World Series on October 30, 2016. | Stacy Revere/Getty Images

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Overhead

An overhead view shows the two new video boards in right and left field and also a better look at the new entrance to the bleachers and improved walkways around the bleachers. In the April 2017 photo, you can see the construction of the many new buildings surrounding Wrigley.

Six banks of lights illuminate Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs held their first official night practice, July 25, 1988. John Swart/AP

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Aerial photos of Wrigley Field with fresh sod taken Saturday, April 1, 2017. | Lee Hogan/For the Sun-Times

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From the right field bleachers

The biggest difference in this view is the addition of the Wrigley Field press box, which was constructed in 1989. The new level of suites on the mezzanine level replaced them, notched under the upper deck. You can also see the new lighted ad space/message board along the upper-deck railing.

A General view of Wrigley Field during batting practice on August 8, 1988 in Chicago, Illinois. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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Fans stand for the national anthem before Game Three of the 2016 World Series on October 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. | Scott Olson/Getty Images

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Along the first-base line

You can spot the upgraded suites from this angle, along with improved signage and the bleacher advertisements are peeking into view

General view of Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs take batting practice for the first time during a night game at Wrigley Field on August 8, 1988. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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The Pirates and the Cubs play June 18, 2016. Nam Y. Huh/AP

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Along the third-base line

Years ago, the old Torco sign was always on view looming over right field on a rooftop on Sheffield Ave. Now, that’s all covered up from the ballpark with the new the right-field video board that’s hard to miss now in Wrigley.

General view of Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs take batting practice for the first time during a night game at Wrigley Field on August 8, 1988. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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A member of the grounds crew grooms the infield before a game at Wrigley Field on May 15, 2016 . | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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The bleachers

The back of the manually operated scoreboard looks the same, but everything below it appears to have changed. Since 1988, a new entrance and signage has been built. And the Harry Caray statue was errected in 1998 at the corner of Addison and Sheffield, but then moved to its current location at the bleachers entrance.