From the April 16, 2013, Chicago Tribune "Here's the Pitch" by Mark Jacob. Mark Jacob has to be one of the premier researchers. It is amazing how many obscure facts he can locate.
"The prospect of a giant video screen blasting ads at Wrigley Field fans may upset purists who fear that the simple beauty of one of America's most iconic ballparks is being despoiled. But baseball history shows that Chesterfield cigarettes and Hole-Proof Hosiery have been as much a part of America's ballparks as Babe Ruth and Ernie Banks. Here are some advertising facts about Wrigley and other parks."
WHAT'S NEW IS OLD: Before the Cubs moved to Clark and Addison in 1916, they played in front of a huge billboard at the West Side Grounds, where the Illinois Medical District is today. That was one really big sign stretching from mid-center field across most of right field. It woul;d have such messages as "The Tribune always makes a hit with its sporting news."
And, believe it or not, there was a rooftop controversy even back then. Owners of buildings on Taylor Street built bleachers on top of apartment buildings. The Cubs responded by raising the right-field wall to block it. Hey, that huge sign wasn't there for no reason.
It Might Be, It Could Be.... --DaCoot
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