Listen up, Sam: Our 10 best limericks
The poets of Chicago, at the Sun-Times' request, have spoken -- penning original limericks explaining why the Trib Co. owner shouldn't sell off the Wrigley Field name to make a buck.
We were flooded with entries, and we've selected 10 of the best to publish here.
(AP)
These 10 poets, along with 90 others, will receive free "Keep it Wrigley" T-shirts -- the kind being sold by Chris Festa of "In Dusty We Trusty" T-shirt fame.
Thanks to those who participated, particularly any Tribune reporters or interns who used company time to play along with our game.
A one-hundred-year drought won't deter
the true Chicago Cubs connoisseur.
But there's one thing that may
Send Cub fans to Shea:
That's a greedy Trib entrepreneur.
Patricia Garcia
True Cub fans will bear any shame,
Like the losing of game after game.
But their honor's transgressed
If they hear one suggest
That old Wrigley should have a new name.
Jerry Partacz
To tradition true Cubs fans will cleave, and
embrace history and hope in ''Believe"-land
But if we listen to Zell
we might as well sell
the name "Chicago" to Cleveland.
Daniel Stewart
The state wants to buy Wrigley Field,
for the rent money that it will yield.
With a corporate name
It won't be the same,
And the wound will never be healed.
Joseph Farina
Change Wrigley's name? We deplore it,
We hate all the bad reasons for it.
If a company should,
We'll boycott their goods
And the corporate name, we'll ignore it.
Chris Strong
A city's not just brick and stone;
It's memories of families and home.
Sam Zell you don't get it.
We all say, "Forget it!"
Please leave our dear Wrigley alone.
Elaine Frick
I get Strogered when I go to the store
Since I smoke I get Strogered more
I take it in stride
But Wrigley's name holds much pride
And if the Cubs Stroger me I'll be sore.
Lewie Faustino
O'Malley, McKenna, and Biggley,
were drinking at Murphy's when Quigley,
let out with a yell,
with a surname like Zell,
the name he should change isn't Wrigley.
Joe Friedman
For every sad generation
That has left Wrigley Field in frustration,
Between the foul poles
We have given our souls
And resent any new appellation.
Bill Reel
Any deal by Zell would be cheap
Wrigley's the name we shall keep
There's news on the wire
Zell's cash is on fire
Not a Cub fan in town will weep.
Greg Kleinschmidt
Here's a selection of the best limerick entries we received:
There once was a field named Wrigley,
Whose winds caused fly balls to be quite squigly.
Though the Outfileders cried, "Shame",
Without this great name,
The fans would be a lot less "gigly".
-- Mickey Horany
To change it I'll never agree.
It's ingrained in the fans' memory.
Just remember, Sam Zell,
Though the name you can sell,
It'll always be Wrigley to me.
-- Jerry Partacz
We're again glad our Cubbies are ready to motivate
And a pennant gives us cause to salivate
But the name must remain
Or it wont't be the same
And the curse will haunt Mr. Zell of late
-- Joann Klawitter
at the voluminous north-sider's vile,
to rename their yard,
they take it so hard,
just find better parking then rebuild in Lisle.
-- Daniel Blocker
Cadillac? Marathon? Duraflame?
What brand could replace Wrigley's name?
Maybe Apple Computers?
Heineken? Hooters?
Or BreathSavers, with aspertame?
-- James Finn Garner
If Sam Zell couldn't tell that the name
"Wrigley Field" is revered in the game,
He's now heard every schlub
Voice the rub of the Cubs:
"Let's win--but please keep things the same."
-- James Finn Garner
There once was a man named Sam Zell
Who like to give give Cubs fans much hell
He wants to sell Wrigley's name
For mere cash and not fame
And I think his whole scheme really smells!
-- G. Willie Arnold
Taps, the crowd will hum
After he changes the name, the bum
He’s killing the tradition
We need a petition
Encouraging him to sit on his thumb
-- Rob Lynch
Although a huge cubs fan I am not
There's one thing I can say that I've got
A love for Chicago's history
So definitely it's no mystery
Wrigley should keep it's name and it's spot
-- Cynthia Wesley
Sam Zell bought a ballpark called “Wrigley.”
He won’t change its name now, or will he?
After all it’s his field.
Will a new owner yield?
And not change its moniker thusly.
-- Greg Anderson
Lynch, Mac Fail, and Riggleman,
a Stooges law firm at a minimum,
Never bothered to sell,
Wrigley's name like 'ol Zell,
'cause it probably never occurred to them.
-- Lewis Elion
"Foul!" cried fans from 'round the land
"Change the name? We don't understand!"
Like Bartman, but worse
Sam's our newest curse
Selling a soul for a few more grand.
-- Kelly Houlihan
Peanuts, CrackerJack, naming rights
On filthy lucre he's fixed his sights
It's all a bottom line
To that soulless swine
Who takes greed to greater heights.
-- Kelly Houlihan
Wrigley Field is the name of the park,
We won’t change it on Zell’s latest lark,
He has caused such a division,
He really needs supervision,
Before all his visions go dark
-- Shawn Cole
There are things that just aren't for sale.
No matter the check in the mail.
Such as, "WRIGLEY" in lights
On those warm summer nights
When the wind blowing out is a gale.
-- Jerry Partacz
For a contest found in the Sun-Times
It's of import lines 1-2-5 rhyme
In the Trib he holds deeds
It's the Sun-Times he reads
Since it saves Sam those 2.5 dimes.
-- Kevin Merrill
There once was an outfielder named Fukudome
Who Said "You Can Either Cheer Me or Boo Me"
But the name on his Jersey
It sounded Real Dirty
And he said if you don't like it you can Sue Me
-- Elizabeth Spees
The ivy covered walls of Wrigley Field.
Now that is Chicagoes greatest deal.
Try to change the name.
You will never win another game.
Because the Cubs will die on the vines of Wrigley Field.
-- Gary Watson
We’ve watched through laughter with tears
The cubs lose for 100 years
To give up your name
Would be a great shame
Now throw back a couple of beers
-- Michael Gatlin
Sam selling will probably add years to the curse
But he’s fine with it as long as he adds more dough to his man-purse
It all seems like greed
Obviously a negative deed
He’ll be remembered as the man that had no one following his hearse
-- Luis Zepeda
Arrogant and pompous he Sam Zell,
Purchased a rag with a team he must sell,
Goats and Mets be damned,
Series wins seems to be jammed,
Alas, maybe "Wrigley" is starting to smell.
-- Doug Waidelich
Once in a town called the Windy City
Stood a baseball shrine named Wrigley
Now us fans must protest
In this rhyming contest
To convince the Tribune an altered name would be silly
-- Patrick Elliott
There's a fellow, a very hard Zell,
Who is asking some fat cat to shell
Out big bucks to rename
Wrigley Field—what a shame!
'Tis, for Cubs fans, that cold day in hell.
-- Chris Doyle
The Wrigley name, you'd kill?
Consider, if you will
That we'd hate
To habitate
In Motorola-ville.
-- Matt Kern
Macy’s renamed M.Field
And ignored the pleas for no deal
Chicago reacted
And business subtracted
Will the same fate for Wrigley be revealed?
-- Laura Finn
Save Wrigley from meany Sam Zell
Our field's name he gladly will sell
He has not enough
Bags of green stuff
So to our sad pleas says, "Oh well"
-- Kathy Brennan
Sox fans are gloating a lot
Cub's fans with mis'ry are fraught
Sam Zell cares least
For him it's a feast
By renaming, more money he's got.
-- Kathy Brennan
Sam Zell has been under attack,
But just maybe he's on the right track.
We've played hard, all agree,
But no rings! Could it be
That it's "Wrigley" that's holding us back?
-- Chris J. Strolin
That ballpark once founded on chewing
Is the scene of big trouble a-brewing.
It will make our skins crawl
If the Cubbies play ball
Without Wrigley Stand by for the booing.
-- David Franks
A man named Zell, Tribune profits he did trash
And now he is wallowing in red ink needing cash
The name of Wrigley he would defame
And cause all the fans to exclaim
New buyers should run away in a flash
-- Shawn Cole
There once was a Grinch named Sam Zell
Who wanted our Wrigley to sell
What’s in a name?
Why not keep it the same?
Would you Ebay the Liberty Bell?
-- Shannon Cunningham
Mr. Sam Zell, this is truly your call,
Wrigley is where the Cubbies should play ball.
You have fans throwing a fit,
but I know how you can be a hit..
Let the name stay and you will be loveda and adored by all.
-- Benita Jackson
Please Mr. Zell listen to the masses
Quit looking through your greedy, green-tinted glasses
Wrigley's more than gum
you self-centered bum
Or the Trib will go where the trash is
-- Donna Lannerd
There once was a man named Zell
whose intention's to sell the name did not sit quite well
Wrigley Field it should stay
forever and a day
and as for that man... he can go to hell!
-- Kathleen Riordan
Let's refocus, if to you it's all the same
This debate about Wrigley Field's name
Surely it would reprieve us
To rename Zell "Butthead" (or "Beavis")
And allow us to get back to watching the game
-- Mac D'Alessandro
There once was a curmodgeon named Zeil;
USS Wrigley adrift with an uneven keel.
Blessed field named for gum;
Her wedding day has come.
An arranged spouses' name she'll wield.
-- Tim Good
Changing Wrigley by Zell is Taboo
What are Fergie and Ernie to do
This Field's Name's not for sale
Throw that Zell guy in jail
Let's play ball, in fact why not play two
-- Terry Bulger
There once was a park for the Cubs.
This park witnessed all of their flubs.
If the name ever changes,
The man who arranges
The deal will be cursed in the pubs.
-- Jeanne Meyer
100 year old curses, goats and Bartman
Want to sell our name, what a farce man
Your Ugly and Crude
Miserly and Rude
Don't piss off the fans, you wrinkly old man
-- Dan Lacy
A gazillionaire recently bought Wrigley
A sinful investor I wish I were he
I hope he changes the name
Because I’m sick of the shame
Of a team cursed with players who throw diddly
-- Wayne Scott
There once was a man named Sam Zell
Who ran out of assets to sell
He wants to rename Wrigley
But its not Comiskey
So let's ship him straight down to hell.
-- Pete Stoncius
We asked Macy’s “what did you think?”
Taking Fields away really did stink.
Wrigley Field is a treasure,
And the loyal will find pleasure
Naming Sam Zell our town’s biggest fink.
-- Terri Tyler
There is a lot of ranting and raving
about if an old ballpark is worth saving
Is it worth the fuss
for a team that bites the dust?
No, but maybe we keep it for sun bathing.
-- Joseph Strickland
It’s Wrigley and always shall be
It’s the name that fits the marquee
We’re Cubs till we die
Wrigley Field’s where we sigh
And our dreams will always be free.
-- Therese Flanagan
There are some things you just shouldn’t sell:
Your mamma; Wrigley Field; papers for Zell.
“Keep it Wrigley!” we cried.
Zell laughed till he died,
Which left all the fans feeling swell.
-- Therese Flanagan
There once was a fellow named Zell
Thought money would keep him from hell
“Keep it Wrigley!” we said.
“I can’t hear you; drop dead!”
God heard him and tolled Zell’s last bell.
-- Therese Flanagan
The short little man's name is Zell,
In short he is greedy as hell.
Though every fan does proclaim,
that Wrigley's the name,
For a buck the Napoleon would sell!
-- Chris Kadera
"This renaming idea won't fly,
Keep it Wrigley!", the diehards all cry
Do they think Sam Zell
Cares what the fans yell?
Indubitably, in a pig's eye
-- Jim Siergey
There once was a ballpark the city did love
The neighborhood, people and lifestyle it fit like a glove
Along came a curmudgeon
The perfect scene he did bludgeon
Leaving a blackeye on a pastime and a city much beloved.
-- Anne Terry
With his powers and voracity came the notorious Mr. Zell,
One Might say that history and play is no longer a memory but to sell,
Predicament to the finincial situation,
It is worth to mention,
That the name "Wrigley Field" will ever be remembered and a part of us as well.
-- Ken Lin
There's something Sam Zell doesn't know
It takes long years for tradition to grow
it may sound persnickety
the need to keep it wrigley
But we bleed Cubbie blue in Chicago.
-- Laura Weck
Sam Zell come on now what the Hell
Wrigley is our second home please don't fell
why make such a mistake
why give us such stakes
Give us peace Mr. Z and please leave us be.
-- Sonya Walker
The place was called Wrigley Field
A name the fans wanted to shield
Zell looked for an offer
To put more in his coffer
But History, it must not yield!
-- Sullivan Family
For generation upon generation,
it's known with passion, respect, and elation,
so keep the name the same,
for the love of the game,
Wrigley's the finest ballpark in the nation
-- Paul Augustine
Maybe Mr Zell should come down to the Bleachers,
and hang out with those of us who are Belivers.
This is not Wiegeman Park.
I can't attend Coorperate Park.
Trust me Mr Zell that will be a huge mistake on your part.
-- Dustin Utley
Wrigley Field had an owner named Zell
While the Cubs were doing quite well
But it turned out his game
was to sell the parks name
So he could continue to fill up the till
-- Kraig Meyers
With a "Hey, Hey" and a "Holy Cow",
The fans in the stands would allow,
that Wrigley Fields' the place,
to put a smile on your face,
so don't go changing the name of it now.
-- Paul Augustine
Hickory Dickory Zell
Wrigley Field you wish to sell
Why don't you leave this town
You piece of [Insert Noun]
Hickory Dickory Zell
-- Brian Barnum
Comisky's not Comisky today,
Stadium and Coliseum went away.
They've been selling our hallows,
in secret back shadows,
now Zell wants Wrigley Field bid away.
-- Russell Block
If baseball were only a game
If Wrigley were only a name
We all wouldn't care
About the man with no hair
And his greed wouldn't be such a shame
-- Jason Lyen
The Cubbies and Wrigley are synonymous;
To change one or the other would be onerous;
So please keep it Wrigley;
Don't make like a piggy;
Or the consequences would be ominous.
-- Tamara Krumwiede
Everyone said to rename
Old wrigley would sure be a shame
All the fans said
We'd rather be dead
Than have zell an icon defame
-- Bill Goodman
Long ago in the old Friendly Confines
Young Veeck planted lovely ivy vines
Against a brick wall
Never suspecting the gall
That would lead to Sam Zell’s for-sale signs.
-- Wayne Hearn
Another name might work for a rose
But as any good Cubbies fan knows
The Bard would be spurned
where Wrigley’s concerned –
You might as well rename Chicago.
-- James Kelly
A one-hundred year drought won’t deter
the true Chicago Cubs connoisseur.
But there’s one thing that may
Send a Cubs fans to Shea –
That’s a greedy Trib entrepreneur
-- Patricia Garcia
It's Wrigley the ball park and Wrigley the gum...
It's double your pleasure and double the runs...
The two go together...
Like gum shoe and leather!
Wrigley's name is an icon to-change-it-is-dumb!
-- Sharon Roman
There once was a geezer named Zell
with a ballpark he wanted to sell.
Instead of tryin'
to ease our cryin'
He told us all to go to hell.
-- Bill Toedt
Don't pity, yet the condition is chronic.
All is for sale based on my economics.
I wear diesel jeans,
That burst at the seams.
I'm rich, but quite Napoleonic.
-- Brian Quinn
True Cub fans will bear any shame,
Like the losing of game after game.
But their honor's transgressed
If they hear one suggest
That old Wrigley should have a new name.
-- Jerry Partacz
Southsiders lost Comisky to U.S. Cell
Northsiders may loose Wrigley because of Zell
What’s in a name?
A lot more than just fame
Now its time for Cubby Nation to rise together and show Zell Hell!
-- Luis Zepeda
I don't know the man very well.
But this much at least I can tell.
I would think of him nice
If he'd take this advice:
Do not change the name, Mr. Zell.
-- Jerry Partacz
There once was a man who loved money,
He didn't care that our ballpark is sunny,
He wants to change our Red sign,
He's way out of line,
So get over yourself, you money-grubbing honey!!
-- Ahna Sexton
O Woe to the Cubs of Chicago,
Cursed by a greedy virago,
(But this one's a male,
His name is Sam Zell),
He knows where we wish that he would go!
-- Norah S Bernard
Bored with the whining, Sam Zell yawns,
"Those Cubsters are merely my li'l pawns,
They've got to think bigly,
Forget about Wrigley,
Just think about me and my millions!"
-- Norah S Bernard
Wrigley Field is a place the fans want and need.
Instead, he wants to turn it into a place of personal greed.
He tells the fans, “You don’t matter,
I want my pockets to get fatter.”
We tell him he’s nothing but an old, center field weed.
-- Patrick Wozny
We dare you to change the name,
To us, Wrigley is our Hall-of-Fame,
We will never agree,
To call it anything but Wrigley,
So Sam Zell can you live with the shame?
-- Ahna Sexton
Mr. Zell you’re so very rich,
So why are you making this switch?
For billions of cents
It doesn’t make sense.
And you’ll still be a son of a bitch!
-- Sean Buck
There once was a town called Chicago,
That, truly, had found its Iago!
He said: "Though I own billions,
My tastes are vaudevillian,
Now, to Wrigley, shall my whither-ed claw go!"
-- Scott Kenemore
To tradition true Cubs fans will cleave, and
embrace history & hope in "Believe"-land
But if we listen to Zell
we might as well sell
the name "Chicago" to Cleveland.
-- Daniel Stewart
It was named for the man who sold gums,
And to millions of us Bleacher Bums,
Its fame IS its name,
Cubs wouldn't be the same,
Without WRIGLEY on its everlasting columns.
-- Thomas Murfey
There once was a man named Zell
To whom Wrigley Field would sell
"I will change the name!"
Was Zell's refrain
Til fans shouted, "You'll burn in hell!"
-- Rita See
There once was a man named Sam Zell,
who said, "Wrigley Field I must sell."
Because greed is my game
and there's good money in that name.
And Cub fans replied "Go to Hell!"
-- Kathleen Schreiber
There once was a field named after gum,
Where the Cubs played hard but not always won.
You change the field name,
But what will you gain?
A World Series Pennant? That's just plain dumb.
-- Sandra Ganji
At the corner of Addison and Clark
City trucks pulled up to in the dark
Sam in cahoots with 'Da Mayor
Wrigley hasn't a prayer
To avoid being called
-- Kevin Merrill
perhaps he should have changed it to Cubby-Hating Weasel.
With re-naming in his blood,
it’s no wonder he’s after Wrigley mud.
Holy Cow – of course the fans aren't wishing him well.
-- Sally Jackson
Who thought cash was the way to be well
But the Cubs fans wanted none!
To them, the name WRIGLEY meant FUN!
So to that Man, they said, go to hell!
-- Melissa Fye
You've only owned me for just a spell.
Wrigley Field should stay,
Keep your mitts away,
Or go right down straight to Hell.
-- Larry Tomback
First the southsiders lost Comisky to "The Cell",
Now the north might lose Wrigley as well,
Why can't tradition remain?
Instead of our landmarks defamed,
To get rich guys richer like Zell!
-- Katheryn Kennedy
To change Wrigley’s name would be heresy,
A sacred ground that shouldn’t be sold what e’re the fee.
But leave it to Sam Zell
To say, “What the hell,
I won’t stop ‘til ‘Bud Light Field’ there I see.”
-- Janet Klev
There's a cold, greedy guy, name of Zell,
Whose weird, tasteless viewpoint is, "Hell -
what do I care,
how poor suckers fare?
My riches force others to sell!"
-- Dianne Kampinen
There once was a ballpark called Wrigley
Whose team and landmark we loved bigly
The owner vowed to sell its name
Which the fans found insane
Now Chicagoans are enraged and all fidgetty
-- Cecilia Elam
There once was a tight-fisted scheme
To cheat our Cub fans of their dream
'Twas a plan by Sam Zell
And he wanted to sell
Wrigley Field out from under the team.
-- Rosagitta Podrovsky
There was a tycoon named Zell
A ball team he put of for sell
Name change he suggested
For Wrigley he jested
Fans uproar unable to quell
-- Brian anderson
Sam Zell and Chicago Tribune,
will be selling the Cubs pretty soon.
But wait 'til next fall,
when the Cubs win it all,
Leaving Sam looking like a buffoon.
-- Joseph Farina
In the rich annals of baseball history
New owner Sam Zell is a mystery.
To announce plans to rename
The Cubs' home of fame
Is a deed that will live on in infamy.
-- Wayne Hearn
What in Sam Hill is his plight?
We’ll put up one Zell of a fight
This Corporate Shark
Renaming our park?
WRIGLEY FIELD will never be trite!
-- Lynn Glitto
The State wants to buy Wrigley Field,
for the rent money that will yield.
With a corporate name
it won't be the same,
and the wound will never be healed.
-- Joseph Farina
There was a rich man named Zell,
whose goal was a ballpark to sell
"To name, to name!"
was the lure of his game.
Though the public continued to yell.
-- Deborah Muhammad
They say, “Let’s play two!”, quoting Banks
Each year, as the Cubs drop in ranks
Will fans feel the same
About second games
When ONCOR Field’s where the team tanks?
-- Hilary Barta
The ivy will all be torn down,
at the whim of some corporate clown.
And there in its place,
the Cub fans will face,
the most hideous billboards in town.
-- Joseph Farina
What the Zell does he think he's doing
Changing a name well-known for chewing
When every single Bleacher Bum
And player chewing Spearmint gum
Knows this might mean the Cubs undoing!
-- Bob Quakenbush
There once was a demon named Zell
Who the name of Wrigley Field he would sell
He already trashed the profits of Tribune money
And that certainly was not all that funny
He Needs to go back to his home in the bowels of hell
-- Shawn Cole
Wrigley Field is the name of the park
We won't change it on some out-of-towner's lark
His huge need for money
He won't find so funny
When the fans won't use another name for the park
-- Shawn Cole
For Sam Zell it's money that's king,
and tradition just don't mean a thing.
When it comes to a buck
he's had lots of luck,
but money is not everything.
-- Joseph Farina
Whenever Sam Zell's on the streets,
he impresses the people he meets.
But doesn't know how
to treat the fans now,
or how to put asses in seats.
-- Joseph Farina
No one can take the Wrigley
Without taking the fans dignity
No one take the name
Without taking the game
Oh Zell this will not go over well
-- Thomas Jensen
The Confines are owned by Zell
And the name he wants to sell
The Cubbies hope to thrill'em
The seats,fans will fill'em.
Keep it Wrigley and all will be well.
-- Larry Wichert
The sign, it reads "Wrigley" today,
but, tomorrow it won't be that way.
It's all up to Sam,
who won't give a damn,
as long as the buyer will pay.
-- Joseph Farina
He paid players as if they were schlubs
Which produced mediocre ball clubs
He was so cheap
Why do fans care for this creep
Let Sam dump Wrigley for the honor of Cubs
-- Ron Stackler
Wrigley's opening day was not sunny
for Sam Zell found it to be funny
To ruin its name
bringing us shame
And run off with big bags of money
-- Pat Pasquini
There onces was a much bally-hooed man named Zell.
Who made much of all the Office Space he could Sell.
The credit markets got Squiggly.
He tried to dump Wrigley.
And his fortunes ended down the bottom of a Well.
-- Robert Foran
Its bounded by Sheffield, Addison and Clark,
It’s the ivy-walled shrine our Cubs call its Park,
You can try to re-name it if you insist,
But know we fans will always resist,
So let Wrigley stay Wrigley and let go of this lark.
-- Jeff Bonner
There is a field of dreams whose name it proudly beams
Wrigley we call it but Zell wants to sell it
Away to a bidder
It makes me so bitter!
Let's all get together and throw Zell in the shi**er!
-- Steve Sarlo
I think Cubs fans could use some reminding,
That this cloud has a silvery lining,
You might lose the name,
And most of your games,
But you'll have an excuse to keep whining!
-- Sara Gadola
There once was a man named Zell
from the fans, good grace, he did fell
the reason, he lost his soul
when money became his only goal
leave Wrigley alone, and we'll wish you well
-- Larry Hendle
The Cubs have a goal of their own
As the steadfast fans have shown
What could be worse
Than to extend the curse
By selling the name of their home
-- Jim Rabb
They say Wrigley is one of a kind
A treasure like this you can't find
We hear the beat
Bleacher Bums on their feet
Chanting Sam you must change your mind
-- Jim Rabb
Sam Zell sought to change Wrigley Field.
But the fans rose up and appealed,
"If you break history,
swap a name for a fee,
we'll stay home and turn off TV!"
-- Susan Ripka
A change to the Friendly Confines
Would be met with protest signs
Fans would rebel
Head south to the Cell
What's next removing the vines?
-- Kris Couch
After 100 years of fatuity,
Dear Wrigley is our only gratuity.
This efforts of Zell must desist!
No renaming the park, we insist!
It shall remain Wrigley in perpetuity.
-- J. Garvey Pyke
A corporate decision made solely
Against the proud will of the lowly
Should fail, all the same:
No one should rename
A landmark so famous and holy.
-- Chris Strong
If renaming it should come to be
You will look up and see me
Above the crowd teeming,
I’m kicking and screaming
Chained to the Wrigley marquee!
-- Chris Strong
Change Wrigley’s name? We deplore it,
We hate all the bad reasons for it.
If a company should,
We’ll boycott their goods
And the corporate name, we’ll ignore it.
-- Chris Strong
Sam Zell thinks it’s perfectly fine
Wooing the big-business dime.
Screw corporate games!
To prevent a new name,
I’ll handcuff myself to the sign!
-- Chris Strong
There is a tycoon - name is Zell.
Whose purpose for Wrigley is sell
He thinks it don't matter
his wallet gets fatter
and Cubdom can just go to hell.
-- Jackie Luburich
A terrorist named Zell's decision,
Is to fire off a name demolition,
Wrigley's the name,
Baseball's the game,
We can't let him kill the tradition.
-- Ed Day
What, rename Wrigley Field?
For this we never can yield!
This passion we’ll sell
To its owner Sam Zell,
Our feelings will NOT be concealed.
-- William A. Caro, M.D. & Joan Caro
There once was a man who came to town
With news that made all Cubs fans frown.
The name he wanted to sell
Zell, you can go straight to hell
Because it will always be called Wrigley in this town.
-- Louie Maldonado
There was a ball park in Chi-town,
Who the Zell would change it around,
All Cub nation agrees,
Wrigley Field it must be,
For history's sake stand our ground.
-- Jo Field
Yes, we are making a fuss over a ballpark’s name
The charm of Wrigley is more that just a Cub Game
We need our fix of ivy each year
And to see our favorite vendor selling beer
Keep it Wrigley Field, and elect Ron to the Hall of Fame
-- Lon Rovner
In the bleachers at the friendly confines
Diehard Cubs fans will hold high their signs:
That owner named Zell
Can go straight to Hell
If he name-changes this field o' mine.
-- Daniel Cunningham
Here on Chicago's Northside
There's certain things we cannot abide
When new owner Zell
Decided to sell
Part of our heritage and pride
-- Andrew Jaworski
Cubs fans have long lived on hope
So, Mr. Z, don't be a dope
To pressure please yield
To keep Wrigley Field
And with our losses we'll try to cope
-- Joyce Stern
Wrigley is more than a name
Just like Cubs baseball's more than a game
Sam's being quite scary
Heaven help us, Harry!
Preserve our tradition and fame.
-- Kera Evans
Without the Wrigley name,
The park just wouldn't be the same,
So Cubby fans unite,
And together we will fight,
To retain our field's fame!
-- Kathy Bohn
From a loyal fan of the Cubs,
Who enjoys the games with his buds,
I hope that Sam Zell,
The owner from hell,
Drowns in a vat of Budweiser suds!
-- Kathy Bohn
I'd like to state my case,
To save this historical place,
Baseball is the game,
Wrigley field is the name,
And any other I just can't embrace!
-- Kathy Bohn
Chicago still wants it called wrigley
home to our well-known big-league
that could be a curse
and make them play worse
so please leave it's name as it should be
-- Vicki Brucher
Every summer we heed the same call,
To flock to WRIGLEY to hear the words "Play Ball!"
It would be a mighty shame
To change the field's hallowed name.
Do you think we'd be happy? NOT AT ALL!
-- Annie Au
Wrigley’s Fate was sealed,
When Sam Zell wouldn’t yield
With backlash so much
No sponsor would touch,
Now its U.S. Zellular Field
-- Jeffrey Levens
To change Wrigley Field's name for the money reason
To us Cubbie fans amounts to high crimes and treason
So what if no champ in five score?
We will always come back for more!
The Cubs will win the World Series this season!!!
-- Robert Nisen
Wrigley's name up for bid on eBay
With a Buy It Now option to pay
Sam's a greedy old goat
Yeah I said it (well, wrote)
Go Cubs clinch the division by May!
-- Kevin Merrill
Wrigley Field is a name, "by gum,"
That should just never change, say some
Of the most loyal fans--
Let's get up off our cans,
For "Zell-ing" the name is just dumb!
-- Paul Lockwood
On Clark Street the Cubbies play ball
Their home park is well known to all
Wrigley Field is its name
Let's keep it the same
Or Sam Zell is in for a brawl
-- Ezmeralda Schwartz
He's not a goat but a pigly,
Who's tail we can see is quite squiggly,
Though his name is Zell,
It rhymes with....well,
Just leave us the name Wrigley.
-- Samuel Rosenblatt
There once was a moron named Zell
who decided Wrigly's name to sell.
By selling the famous field
he knew he'd be appealed,
by making fans shout "GO TO HELL!"
-- Phillip Festoso
There once was a man named Zell,
Rights to Wrigley would sell,
Fans say NEVER,
IT'S WRIGLEY FOREVER,
And Sam Zell can go to HELL!
-- Al Harris
Wrigley Field has always been the name
Where Cub fans go to watch their favorite game
To change the name now
Would cause havoc like O’Leary’s cow
And Sam Zell would be the man to blame.
-- Dyann Kotansky
There is an old sign by the door
A veritable icon for sure
A letter at night
Would make it alright
And keep people hootin for more
-- Craig Morrey
Let's all take a shot of some whiskey,
For a PARK they once called COMISKEY
As a SOX fan I say "What the zell",
but CUB fans call ours "The Cell"
So I plead, keep the FIELD named WRIGLEY
-- Rick Larson
As for this old fellow Sam Zell
Don't like his intentions too well
When his plan is complete
He'll be in for some heat
Perhaps he should just go to Hell
-- Kerry Barrett
There once was a man named Zell,
Rights to Wrigley would sell,
Fans say NEVER,
WRIGLEY FOREVER,
And Sam Zell can go to Hell!
-- Al Harris
There was an old ball park in Chi,
100 years Cubs tried and they tried.
A century of Hell,
Then along comes this Zell.
To stip 'way the last bit of pride.
-- Josh Harrison
There is a landmark called Wrigley Field,
And that fact true fans will never yield,
A fact Sam Zell will not heed,
Name change offered due to greed,
But Chicago Cub fans know it will never be wealed.
-- Glen Arends
Hear the chants of naming rights
Hear the chants of fans fights
one hundred years past
thousands of tears cast
This year the Cubbies future is bright
-- Kim Troutman
There once was an idiot named Zell,
With naming rights he wanted to sell.
If Wrigley you change,
You must be insane.
Mr. Zell you can just go to Hell!
-- Herb Hopkins
The Wildcats were cursed and quit tryin'
When their home changed from Dyche field to Ryan.
Now I fear it's the same
If we lose Wrigley's name
That's a move that the fans are not buyin'.
-- John R. Herman Sr.
There was a young Cub's fan named Tammy
who loved to cheer for Ernie, Ronny, and Sammy
Wrigley Field is the name
Zell best keep it the same
or that goat will not be the lone whammy!
-- Tammy Brown
Proposed to you..a Billion Woo..Hoo!
Betrayal you face for we will not be disgraced..
Wrigley will stand if not in your hand
Shame on you and your partners too.
Chicagos' honor stands with our Cubs ...where within you?
-- Lisa Krisch
Keep it Wrigley as the original,
Protect it from an criminal.
Mr. Zell, don't be greedy,
Listen to cub fans loyal and steady.
Selling the good name is a sin cardinal.
-- Eric Lin
As the Cubbies" at Wrigley cheer with tenacity,
Along comes a man who's ever so crochety.
He says, "what the hell
Naming rights Zell will sell;
not ANOTHER Cellular White "Sox-City!"
-- Gloria Pennacchio
From a wad of big bucks that he peeled
Sam Zell made a deal that he sealed
but try as he might
fans will put up a fight
and not visit U.S. Zellular Field.
-- Kevin Merrill
Wrigley field was named after the world famous gum.
For one hundred years, Cub fans would hum.
Now Sam Zell wants to sell it.
Sam, you bum.
Cub fans over the world will not keep mum.
-- Wayne Rogala
When selling your soul, please be wary.
The effect upon millions is scary.
From a kid up in Zion
To a driver on the Dan Ryan,
To the ghost of our dear Harry Caray.
-- Cyndy henderson
Baseball is played at Wrigley Field
filled with tradition, history & feel
If money is king
And of this I feel stongley
Then go ahead and just name it Wrongley
-- Dana LaVoi
Wrigley Field, named after a gum,
And Zell wants to change it, (the bum),
Wants to wad it and toss it
We say out please don't cross it.
Fans, chew up and spit out this crumb!
-- Robert Mikolajczak
Wrigley Field is a name we hold dear
We're trying to make it perfectly clear
But Zell's so pretentious
It makes us contentious
Cuz name droppers ain't welcomed 'round here
-- Jim Siergey
Wrigley Field is the fan's fave name
They want it to remain the same
But oily Sam Zell
Knows only too well
That money's the name of the game
-- Ezmeralda Schwartz
Wrigley has abeen home to the Cubs,
Zell can't change the name
For more financial fame
Or we'll kick his derriere into the shrubs.
-- Marty Lyon
The name "Wrigley Field" is, Dear Zell,
Much more than some product to sell.
What's wrong with your head;
You don't need the bread.
Would you sell your own mother, as well?
-- Paul Komes
For what other reason, indeed,
Would you sell "Wrigley Field" than greed?
Mr. Zell, it's a mystery
Why you'd want throughout history
Your name blackened by this misdeed.
-- Paul Komes
A city's not just brick and stone;
It's memories of families and home.
Sam Zell you don't get it.
We all say, "Forget it!"
Please leave our dear Wrigley alone.
-- Elaine Frick
Wrigley Field is the home of the Cubs
The losers from north of the hub
Like twins they're conjoined
Their pride you've purloined
Now they are out for your blood.
-- Starla Ingersol
Generation after generation after generation
Are the fans we all know as Cubs Nation.
Wrigley Field is our home,
No old rich troll-like gnome
Should make it his selfish creation.
-- Susan Kroll
There once was a fellow named Zell
Who said that I think it is swell
The team is now mine
If for Wrigley you pine
Why don't you all gather in Hell!
-- John R Herman Sr.
Chicagoans hold Wrigley dear,
With its memories of baseball and beer.
Since with power you feel tipsy,
Go move to Poughkeepsie,
And rename something there - just not here!
-- Elaine Frick
There once was a shrine, "Wrigley Field"
Who's name change we wanted to yield
The owner named Zell
Can go straight to hell
We should bury the prick in a field!
-- Mike Jeffers
We can't seem to win a World Series,
But this is the least of our worries,
A rich guy named Zell,
Just wants to sell,
To this we say,"Zell,kiss our rearies!
-- Joyce Sackman
There once was a ballfield named Wrigley,
Who Zell tried to rename most wierdly.
But an uprising of fans
caused a change in the plans--
And Wrigley survived rather handily!
-- Martha Evans
To Sam Zell from the Cubs fans at Wrigley:
"DON'T CHANGE THE NAME" is our big plea.
A World Series we'd tote,
if it weren't for the goat,
at the Friendliest of Confines named Wrigley.
-- Nicki Pecori
There once was a man named sam zell
who for money there was nothing he would't sell
but for a field of such majic and grace
it would be a total disgrace
for it to be named GM Monsanto or DELL
-- Rrobert Heffernan
A baseball owner named Zell,
The Wrigley name he would sell.
"No Wrigley!" says he.
"Yes Wrigley!" says we.
Let Zell sell his own name in hell!
-- Barrington Bob
The fate of ol' Wrigley Field
By Sam Zell will surely be sealed
But what's in a name
And who cares for game
When large stacks of money are reeled
-- Kathy Brennan
A little note to Mr. Sam Zell,
The Wrigley name is not to sell.
The Northside field
Should not be repealed
To a name that sounds like hell.
-- Sandra Kurtis
Wrigley Field is more than a name!
Any other would not be the same.
With fans, oh so true
That they bleed Cubbie blue,
Just quit with the name changing game!
-- Nancy Gifford
When Trib owner Sam Zell revealed,
That he'd sell naming rights to Wrigley Field,
The Sun-Times raised such a stink
And even put it in ink
"KEEP IT WRIGLEY" the Cub fans appealed!
-- Michael Handley
There once was a field in our city
Named Wrigley, we found it quite pretty
Ivy covers it with vines,
Fans surround it with lines,
And to change it would be really #@&&*
(and wrong)
-- Nancy Gifford
There was an oldman named Zell
With an idea that started to smell
Just as a lark
He'd rename a park
And the tradition could go to hell
-- Andrew Jaworski
Renaming Wrigley would be a shame
With only evil Zell to blame
Money, money everywhere,
Doesn't anybody care,
To save this icon of the game?
--Nancy Gifford
There once was a baseball park
with lights lit up in the dark
Some want a changed name
Though it won't be the same
Chicago's Wrigley will then lose it's spark!
-- Karla Muench
There once was a man named Sam Zell,
Who for Cub fans is creating a hell,
He wants us to consider,
Selling Wrigley to the highest bidder,
And we think that really does smell.
-- Ken DeWitt
There once was a field named Wrigley,
and going there made us feel giggly
But a man named Zell,
bought it to sell,
now we go to a field - Piggly Wiggly
-- Charlie Eikenberg
There once was an owner named Zell
Wrigley's name rights he wanted to sell
To me it Don't matter
If his wallet gets fatter
So tell him to just go to hell!
-- Mike Jeffers
This is the home of the Cubs
The team Chicago Loves
If the name were to change
It wont be the same
And the park will become a FLUB.
-- Mike Drotziger
Please don't rename the Cubs crib
Sam Zell please quit being so glib
Just keep it the same
let the Cubs win The Game
oh yeah, I DON'T work for the Trib
-- Bob Fagust Jr.
For one hundred years we've been playing this game,
And the result has always been the same,
No World Series wins for the Cubs,
And since we know they're not slubs,
Maybe Wrigley's just not a good name!
-- Alain Penz
My team be Sheffield and Clark,
Plays in our great Wrigley Park.
So listen up Zell,
You can go straight to Hell,
Where games are played in the dark.
-- Lawrence Tomback
The Billy Goat they say brought a curse,
And Bartman's folly was probably much worse,
Now Wrigley Sam wants to rename,
Well that's really a shame,
We'll have to go the ballpark in a hearse.
-- Alain Penz
There once was a Cub’s Field of Dreams,
Became part of the Sam Zell Regime.
Now he wants to sell Wrigley
Which makes us feel “sigley”
How dare he attempt such blaspheme?
-- Diane Rosen
There is a man that we know as Sam Zell
With a field that he wants to sell
He thought he was smart
But he is just an old fart
Keep it Wrigley or go straight to Hell.
-- Bob Farley
There's a man by the name of Sam Zell,
Who's determined to put us through hell,
By renaming Cubs park,
Almost as a lark,
And we thought we hated the Cell!
-- Judy Montalbano
On renaming the field we call Wrigley,
A man named Zell's acting giggly,
'Cuz he'll rake in major bucks,
But we think it sucks
'Cuz we know it will always be Wrigley.
-- Judy Montalbano
This team's had its share of bad luck, sure,
From the goat to Bartman to Buckner.
But we'd truly know shame
if you change Wrigley's name
and prove you're a miserable old...coot.
-- Ryan Myers
Even the old Billy Sianis
would think that Zell's plan is heinous.
So let's send Sam a goat
and then sit back and gloat
when the Trib's failure makes him world-famous.
-- Nate Kipp
Sam Zell wants to toss "Wrigley Field" in the trash
For merely another pile of cash
But down in that hole
Will follow his soul
For betraying our trust, alas!
-- Todd Rich
About just the Cubs this is not
It's about all of Chicagoans' lot
"Wrigley Field" is its name
It should always be the same
It is a precious treasure Chicago has got!
-- Todd Rich
In Chicago there lives a greedy old man
That just might be the death of this die hard fan.
Under no condition
should we trash tradition..
I'll boycott the Trib and make my stand
-- Laura Weck
Marshall Field's had a much beloved name
Wriigley Field, it is said, has the same
For the city to lose
Both names gives me the blues
But at least we'd all know who to blame.
-- Mike Sinner
O'Malley, McKenna, and Biggley,
were drinking at Murphey's when Quigley,
let out with a yell,
with a surname like Zell,
the name he should change isn't Wrigley.
-- Joe Friedman
It seems our beloved Wrigley Field
Is fate has already been sealed
As new owner Zell
Has decided to sell
Its name for a higher bank yield
-- Andrew Jaworski
There was a young fellow named Zell
Who handles his job very well
But we're all wond'rin why
He decided to buy
Our team, then decided to sell
-- Gail Zelek
Why can't they just keep it Old Wrigley?
Anything else will make us all giggly.
We are, after all-
About a bat and a ball-
Don't turn a mighty tree into a twiggly!
-- Bonnie Ohnstein
It all began in 1926 when a man named Wrigley
Put his name on a building that made baseball history
Mess with the best
And you won't rest
Because Wrigley is forever and Zell's just a pest
-- Marsha Koepp
As a Diehard my friends can all tell,
That my love is not lost on Sam Zell.
Want to make my heart pound?
Bring a contender to town.
And, Oh yeah! Leave it Wrigley as well.
-- Alan Moore
Corporate sponsor with some extra cash?
Then quick - make a dash
A man named Zell
Has a ballpark to sell
And loyal Cub fans have been told to go to hell.
-- Bonnie Nahulak
Sam Zell used his real estate wares
To buy Tribune's majority shares
He might sell Wrigley's name
And do so with no shame
As a Sox fan, I just ask "Who cares?"
-- Larry "LastAngrySoxFan" LaPorte
A small patch of Heaven on Earth,
"Wrigley Field" from my grandfather's birth,
Will be sold for a buck,
It's name run through the muck,
Now we'll know what our history's worth.
-- Rob Molloy
A field of green on the North,
Will be sold as a matter of course,
And just like "The Cell",
It's name sold by Sam Zell,
For some product he'd like to endorse.
-- Rob Molloy
The sign that says "Wrigley" we fear,
Will be replaced with "ADVERTISE HERE!"
"Buy our cell phones or soap!!",
But abandon all hope,
Want some history?...."Wait 'till next year".
-- Rob Molloy
Baseball is America's soul,
It's virtues, we love to extoll,
But your soul has a price,
Take the devil's advice,
And sell it for a bag full of dough.
-- Rob Molloy
Zell wants to shill name, "Wrigley Field,"
for corporate, naming-rights deal.
If he gets his way--
"Levitra Field," say,
will somehow cut storied appeal.
-- John "Sloop" Biederman
There was a guy named Zell,
Who as far as I care can go to hell,
To mess with the name
would be such a shame
so let's go on with the game
-- James Hooper
To me, its really quite funny
how a man like Sam Zell makes his money.
You'll end up with less
when you mess with success -
just ask Coca Cola, you dummy!
-- Jill Anderson
Inside Cub's Park, it's swell
Baseball tradition, do tell
It's 100 years since
To Sam, words do not mince
When it comes to the name, Sam do not Zell
-- Nancy Prangl
A landmark exists in our city.
It's a field by the great name of Wrigley.
The for sale sign is out.
But who's got enough clout?
Is it Blago, our famous dimwitty?
-- Joanne pesavento
Wrigley Field named after the gum
has all the "Cubbies" calling Sam Zell a bum
For selling the name and if bought by a beer
How would we cheer "Wait til next year"
Cause all the Cub fans would drink themselves numb
-- Wendy Loftus
Please don't change that dear name, Mr. Zell,
Of the place that we love, oh so well.
Wrigley Field is the name
Of ivy-walled fame.
If it's changed, join the goat down in Hell.
-- Jeanne Parker
There's more than cash in a name,
And it's more than just winning the game.
For, "NEXT year at WRIGLEY,
the Cubs will win big-ly"
Has been our most heart-felt refrain!
-- Jill Anderson
I am not an intern from the Trib,
Just writing this limerick from the crib.
Chicago says NO!
Zell's got to GO!
For the rest of my comments you can adlib!
-- Robin Pomeroy
Sam wanted to increase his geld,
With a plan to sell Wrigley Field,
But his plan seemed so crude,
By the fans he eschewed,
So they boo-ed the dude til he yield!
-- T.R. Collins
There once was a field where the Cubbies played,
Built in the 1900's, Wrigley Field was made.
Then Zell came to sell,
To ring Wrigley's Bell,
And left the city for his popularity did fade.
-- Robin Pomeroy
The Tribune is what Mr. Sam Zell bought,
And selling Wrigley Field was an idea he sought.
He publicized this,
Made everyone pissed.
And we wonder what this man ever thought?
-- Jason Pomeroy
"Take Me Out To the Ballgame," was a summertime Northside spell,
Chicago Dogs, crackerjack, the Addison red-line EL.
Then 1908; the year of the curse
Could 2008 only get worse
By the loathsome & greedy, the windy Sam Zell?
-- Drew Corbett
There once was a man named Sam,
Who has a brain the size of a gram.
For Wrigley's name,
To him was a game,
And the winner of the shirt...I AM!
-- Robin Pomeroy
Keep it Wrigley we're begging you, Zell,
But we fear great big profits you smell.
Rename it, Mr. Greedy--
You're like the agent for Crede--
And we'll condemn you to ball at the Cell.
-- Max McGee
There once was a park named Wrigley
Of which Sam Zell wanted to rid me
With the outfield vines
And fans tearful whines
Let's keep our Wrigley Cub-friendly
-- Pamela Bove
The Cubs and Wrigley are one and the same.
What's more fun, the place or the game?
When we end the wait
in 2008
It should be in WRIGLEY that we get the fame!
-- Carla Finno
There once was a guy named Sam Zell
The name Wrigley he tried to do dispel
But Cubs Fans are tough
And we've been through enough
Wrigley Field til a cold day in Hell
-- Lori Klark
There was this character named Zell
Whose renaming of Wrigley he'd sell
His bankroll the reason
For committing this treason
Forever in shame he should dwell.
-- Jacqueline Grubczak
If Wrigley Field was to change its name
Chicago would never ever be the same
So tell Sam Zell
To go to Hell
And lets get back to the game
-- Kay Ricoy
A wonderful place we call Wrigley
It's enough to make some people giggly.
The new owner named Zell.
Makes us angry as H---.
So to him we say "Keep it Wrigley"
-- Marianne Ott
A pox on this fellow, Sam Zell,
Time someone should teach him to spell.
W...R...I...G...L...
E...Y...(Hear the Fans Yell!)
Keep the Name! Any other would smell!
-- Eric Stigler
Now Wrigley's quite far from Nantucket,
still, that Tribune exec's trying to pluck it.
Fans differ, and beg,
that, when he's struck with that egg,
the shmuck with the Zell fluck can suck it.
-- Joe Friedman
Even though we live out of state,
Visiting Wrigley cannot wait.
The field wouldn’t be the same
Without that glorious name;
Cubs would be lost without their mate.
-- Crystal Bauermeister
The Cubs once claimed two men named Sammy,
It turned out to be a double whammy.
They both had trouble with 'roids,
Though while Sosas made him unemployed,
Zells just hurt when he sat on the canny.
-- Shannon Brokaw
It's the greatest biergarten America will see
Not Busch or that place in Milwaukee
If Zell changes the name
I will never go to a game
IN the place formerly known as Wrigley
-- Michael Tillmann
The Cubs once claimed two men named Sammy,
It turned out to be a double whammy.
They both had trouble with 'roids,
Though while Sosas made him unemployed,
Zells just hurt when he sat on the canny.
-- Shannon Brokaw
In Wrigley we certainly trust
To rename it would be such a bust.
Zell should cease
and hold his piece
That namesake is surely a must!
-- Tony Englert
I get Strogered when I go to the store
Since I smoke I get Strogered more
I take it in stride
But Wrigley's name holds much pride
And if the Cubs Stroger me I'll be sore
-- Lewie Faustino
It doesn't matter to Sam Zell,
But to the new owners, listen well,
Speak of a curse,
This will be worse.
'Cause we'll we boycott everything you sell!
-- Randy Gunter
To cross us would be a shame.
We'll boycott you, but not the game,
One hundred years,
Of anguish and fear
To whomever changes Wrigley's name!
-- Randy Gunter
Can you change the name of Santo, Williams and Banks?
How 'bout Brickhouse and Carey? NO THANKS!;
Left to Zell's own devices,
We'd have an identity crises;
and Wrigleyville would suffer such angst.
-- Marty Singer
Wrigley's a field in Chi-ca-go,
The name they want to trade for dough,
If it's up to Zell,
We say don't sell,
The Cubbies home that we all know.
-- Tommy & Sherry O'Donnell
There once was a man named Sam Zell
Who rode bikes with the Angels from Hell
He got stuck on some gum
Now viewed as a scum
Wanting to sell Wrigley out from under our thumbs
-- Elsie McSweeney
There once was a man named Zell
Said Cub fans can all go to hell
Rename Wrigley if I can
Just put the cash in my hand
Cause my loves with the sox and the Cell
-- George Spencer
Chicago's Wrigley Field is the name,
Chicago Cubs Baseball is the game,
What "ROD" wants to do
Is give us a screw
And Chicago will never be the SAME!
-- Ted Serowski
Opening day is sure to be brisky.
Chances in '08 appear to be risky
I'll settle it now
And yell "Holy Cow"
Let us rename it "Comiskey"
-- Brian Greaney
Wrigley Field is the name of the place
That's what I'll always call that space
If Zell tries to change the name
Whatever it is will be lame
and he'll be as popular as John Wayne Gace(y)
-- Jim Dietmeyer
There once was a famed Wrigley Field
Bought by Zell in another deal sealed
But the name should not vary
Or beware the wrath of Harry
Cubbies need the name “Wrigley” revealed!
-- Bridget Devlin
There once was a place called Hell,
Whose naming rights Satan did sell,
To a man so dark
Even God had to remark
Go now, and enjoy your stay in Zell.
-- James Webb
With his mind all but made up and sealed,
Zell wants to rename Wrigley Field
But what he stands to gain
Will cause us much pain
And our feelings can never be healed
-- Ron Rahhal
.
There was an owner named Zell
Who planned a ballpark to sell
Though the team may lose
The fans save their boos
For the Wrigley Field owner from hell.
-- Martha Sokol
Wrigley Field is such a sacred name
Changing it would be such a same
As Macys’ execs can attest
Chicago’s more loyal than the rest
Long live the name Wrigley Field!
-- Art Leyland
There was once an old man named Zell
Whose only one thing was to sell
He sold his home for a cupful of gel
As far as we can tell
Now lives next door to the Cell!(Cellular field).
-- Chike Gwam
There was an old man from Chicago
Going head-to-head with our Blogo
With no Series on the horizon
Please don’t give us Verizon
Long live the name Wrigley Field
-- Art Leyland
No you cannot change Wrigley Field's name
Not without Cubs fans going insane
Pay attention to the public
Mr. Sam Zell
'Cause money ain't everything - this we know well
-- Susan Berger Kabaker
An irreplaceable name to sell,
to my unborn children I'll dread to tell,
Zell? they would say,
Yes! as I fray,
Baseball fans all over the world can only pray.
-- Jimmy Neubauer Jr.
Wrigley Field, it is a landmark,
Don't mess with the name of our park,
It's been like this for years,
They sell Old Style beers,
Now we can even play ball in the dark.
-- Iris Mazurski
It's curious, to me, as a fan,
that such hell could be raised by one man
with a ballpark he bought
without giving a thought
that this might be Wrigley's last stand.
-- Andy Swiderski
Since Sam Zell won't back down from his deal
To ballpark re-naming we should yield
There will be less pain
If a groc'ry chain
Rechristens it Piggly Wiggly Field
-- Jim Siergey
We love Wrigley Field each season
The Cubbies, of course, are the reason
With Sam Zell, we holler
"For you, it's the dollar!",
And Wrigley is worse for your treason
-- Phil McDermott
To the Gov and to Sam Zell
This is something I know quite well
If you change the Wrigley name
To something that is really lame
The both of you will rot in hell
-- Van Hemphill
The pungent scent of baseball as you walk through the door
Popcorn, peanuts, and old style who could ask for more?
These classic traditions
And failed season missions
Have endowed Wrigley Field its impeccable lore
-- Kaitlin Montgomery
Change the name? No Zell, please refrain.
Or Cubs' supporters will always complain.
The fans still drink booze.
The Cubs will still lose.
And as a Brewers' fan, I feel their pain.
-- Erika Enk
Wrigley is part of Chicago
It is history, you know
To change its name
is a crying shame
We know Zell just wants the dough.
-- Bekki Roth
There once was a man named Zell.
Who came from the depths of hell.
To ruin Wrigley field.
A pact with Satan he sealed
Oh he’s a white sox fan.
-- Dennis Draus
There is a magical field called Wrigley.
On entering ivy green is what you see.
An awesome aura overtakes you.
We see our men in Cubbie blue.
Save our magical Wrigley Field and our Wrigley marquee.
-- Mary Eckert
Wrigley Field naming rights offered by Zell.
Where this downward spiral ends no one can tell.
After all, with big money, push comes to shove.
But without Wrigley Field, there is no summer love.
I may as well go to the Southside's "CELL."
-- Patrick Haavig
How much money do you need?
Are you motivated only by your greed?
It's been Wrigley for so long
Inspiring both passion and song
Just don't do it, the true cub fans plead
-- Michael Shevick
There once was a goon named Zell.
What devil possessed him, no one could tell.
So at the Gates of Heaven, he was turned away.
Banished below for the Eternal day.
For Wrigley Field naming rights Sam did sell.
-- Patrick Haavig
This ballpark was named after gum.
Renaming the place would be dumb.
There's no way in hell.
To leave it to Zell.
I cannot call old Sam my chum.
-- Bob Baader
This idea of naming is funny
The Ivy covered wall
The scoreboard so tall
I guess Sam Zell only wants the money
-- Robyn Darnell
There once was a ball park named Wrigley,
Where some fans drink beer and get giggley.
This name stood the test,
For years it's been best.
A new name your fans will not dig, see??
-- Barbara Parlin
The idea of changing the name
Is as stupid as changing the game
Instead of Wrigley
Call if Piggly Wiggly
And Zell can go to the Hall of Shame
-- Michael Shevick
Sam Zell will try any scheme
To bring in a little more green
But selling the name
Is especially lame
I really think it's obscene
-- Michael Shevick
What used to be Weeghman Park
Will be turned into something quite stark
The Cubs will play
For anyone who will pay
But maybe the place should be dark
-- Michael Shevick
In all of Cubdom many problems befell,
The whole of land, at the hands of Sam Zell
For this greedy, rich kid
Billions doesn't cut it
But Wrigley Field is eternal, no matter how it is spelled
-- Kaiser Pecson
Don’t rename Wrigley for all of eternity;
It will always be Wrigley no matter the paternity;
So Sam please reconsider;
it would be such a shame -
‘cause Wrigley is Wrigley no matter the name
-- Kathy Basil
For every sad generation
That has left Wrigley Field in frustration,
Between the foul poles
We have given our souls
And resent any new appellation.
-- Bill Reel
New owner Zell started a sensation
When naming rights were announced to the nation
But if he were smart
And still had a heart
He would sell the rights to the Wrigley Corporation
-- S. Patrick Murray
Wrigley Field packs 'em in every game
Cubs's Park or 1060, what's in a name?
99 and 1 year
Cubs fans have no fear
For this championship year, keep it the same
-- John Prangl
Any deal by Zell would be cheap
Wrigley’s the name we shall keep
There’s news on the wire
Zells cash is on fire
Not a Cub fan in town will weep
-- Greg Kleinschmidt
Zell bought The Tribune as a fun little bet,
Now he's fighting $13 Billion in bad choices and debt,
Out of heads and margins to chop--the paper needs more,
So 'The Friendly Confines' he's looking to whore,
As for our sign--there is far more than $10 million a year--there is pride on the line.
-- Chance Kelch
Sam Zell wants to change the name
Wrigley Field is noted for fame
If he gets his wish
Long suffering Cub fans
Will be saying it's a crying shame
-- Jay Hollis
Their once was a man named Zell
with a name that he wanted to sell
He thinks he has class
But he’s just a big ASS
now the cubbies will send him to hell
-- Roberta Kleinschmidt
Hey Mr. "Cub owner" Zell,
You want Cub fans to think you're swell?
Then be an owner
Who's not a big...boner
And stop trying to give us the "cell".
-- Carla Finno
There was an old man named Sam Zell
And of course,he knew perfectly well
That we wouldn't agree
To change our historic Wrigley
to a name that just doesn't gel !
-- Greg Komorski
Wrigley is owned by a demon named Zell,
whose sole purpose in life is to make his wealth swell.
He bought the town rag,
naming rights in the bag,
said “those that don’t like it, can all go to he__.”
--Bill Fanning
There once was a man named Zell
Wrigley's naming rights he wanted to sell
This idea he had
Was really quite bad
And could find him banished to hell
--Michael Land
There once was a ballpark named Wrigley
Where everyone was happy and giggley
Then the Wrigley name fell
Thanks to new owner Zell
Now everyone is sad and sniveling.
--Lawrence Szatkowski
The old ball park named Wrigley
Can not be renamed so quickly
After 100 years
Of sorrow and tears
Northsiders remain quite prickly
--Matt Eddy
There once was a man names Zell
He thought of one more thing he could sell
but when our cubs refused to play
so He couldnt get his way
Wrigley would not become the "Cell"!
--dennis dunaj
There once was a demon called Zell
who hailed from the bowels of Hell
with pitchfork in hand
used to rule the land
but he's sold the last soul left to sell!
--james hondros
There once was a park named Wrigley
Where the female fans are jiggly
Don't rename our park
We played in the dark
By the third inning, we're giggly!
--Jim Hart
"Himself" must be lacking a brain...
if he thinks this notion is sane!
T'is a sad condition...
to mess with tradition -
Lord knows we can't take much more pain!
--Kathy Moran
There once was a man named Zell
Who came to Chicago from Hell
Who bought up the Cubs
He should be beaten with clubs
Wrigley fans think that is swell.
--Rory Zacher
The urinals in Wrigley may smell
But the beer goes down real well
Don't change the name
It won't be the same
But at least we don't play at the Cell
--Scott Lewis
There once was an owner called Zell
Who decided his name he would sell
To your own self be true
Please think Cubbie Blue
"Keep it Wrigley" Were depending on you
--Rich (The Sarge) Hoffman
Cub Nation will loudly exclaim
"Sam Zell profits by changing the name!"
But whatever they choose
the team will still lose
but take solace, its only a game!
--Don Voigt
There once was a man named Sam Zell,
Whose soul was an empty black shell.
He said "Make it Big Red.
Cubbie fans can all drop dead",
in a televised broadcast from Hell.
--Catherine Ward
I turned on the news and I squealed.
"They say they'll rename Wrigley Field!"
My mood became dark
When I thought "Fruit Stripe Park?"
"Mister Zell, have a heart!" I appealed.
--Catherine Ward
Yo! Hey you, Mr. Sam Zell!
Cubs fans say “What the Hell?”
Gives you the right
Is it cuz of your height?
And by the way, you smell!
--Emily Reynolds
Sam Zell is a name that’s imposing and ominous
For trying to rename a cathedral that’s synonymous
With fans in the turnstiles
Our favorite brewed Old Styles
Would ownership please just remain anonymous?
--Ron Edwards
THERE ONCE WAS A MAN NAMED ZELL.
WHO THOUGHT THE WRIGLEY NAME HE COULD SELL.
THE FANS SAID NO WAY.
AND ALL BEGAN TO SAY.
MR. ZELL WHY DON'T YOU GO TO.....WELL, YOU KNOW THE REST.
--ALLAN HALL
If you say .. a name change.. so what ?
Remember the curse of King Tut ...
The billy goat curse
Will get you...or worse...
No ifs , no ands , no buts .
--carol jacob
So what if endured a century-long rut
In which defeats are what we’ve had in glut
To rename the friendly confines
Whilst on caviar he dines
Shows just how far Zell has his head up his butt
--Mac D'Alessandro
Wrigley's been the name for many a year
Now the jewel of Chicago faces a real fear
of losing its name
in a greedy money game
to a man who has no class it's clear
--Donna Lannerd
There was an old Cub fan foever
who said "change park name,NEVER".
He heard Zell was selling
"Don't change Trib" fan's yelling.
The old name by gosh is quite clever.
--Jacqueline Maida
Sam Zell is in the hunt
for a buyer to pull off a stunt
to sell our field
he'll get the yield
I hope he fails like a bad bunt
--Maureen Wilkey
Harry Caray would scream "holy cow"
If he saw what Zell's doing now
Don't sell the name
It'd be a shame
Our allegiance to Wrigley we vow
--Maureen Wilkey
There's this guy in town named Zell
Who Chicagoans would like to quell
He's greedy and grimey
and oh so slimey
Who needs to up and move to hell
--Donna Lannerd
There's a wondrous place called Wrigley
Where loyal Cub fans cheer very loudly
"This is the team
of the American Dream
and we won't be pushed by Zell the bully"
--Donna Lannerd
It cannot come to pass,
The move would be too crass!
Change Wrigley's name?
Oh, the shame!
Surely Sam Zell is an ass!
--Maureen Anderson
Just for the money you'd yield,
no such deal should be sealed,
to change the name,
and likewise the game,
played here at WRIGLEY field.
--Jennifer Reed
They're a team always down on their luck.
100 years they've continued to suck.
But we have pride in our team.
Try to cross us and we'll scream
"DON'T CHANGE THE NAME YOU DUMB (schmuck)"
--Matthew Killion
There once was a team named the Chicago Cubs
Who stumbled and bumbled like a bunch of shlubs,
No matter what you call their field
Their fate has eternally been sealed
So keep Wrigley Wrigley ‘cause the fans will still patron the pubs.
--Jeffrey Blatt
Wrigley is the Friendly Confines
Now we all want to save it with signs
But Zell wants to make a dollar
And he doesn't care if we holler
Or if the Cubs win before 3009
--Scott Shapiro
The grandest of ball parks, full of fans cheering Cub glory
Full of pride and tradition, forever waiting a championship victory
Affectionately known as the Friendly Confines
Renaming our field, the death of our vines
Let it not be so, for we love our Cubs and their sacred history
--Tom Risley
Folks don't care when they change some names,
Like corporations, cars, and hollywood stars.
But Wrigley means more than just playing games.
It's the Home of the Cubbies,
and the name must remain.
--Andy Maletta
There's a field on Addison & Clark,
a corporate name will seem dismal and dark,
let's stop this game,
cuz Wrigley's it's name,
to us it'll always be Cubs park.
--Tom Palka
Please please, say it aint so.
Zell says the Wrigley name has to go.
It’s crazy, it’s mad, it’s downright absurd.
Is he unaware that we cherish the Word?
Focus more on the fans and less on the dough.
--Krissy Anderson
As Sam strained to fill his pants,
With cash from the "Juicyfruit" plants,
His plan got so gummy,
We all told the dummy,
Don't Tinker, you n'Ever had a Chance!
--T. R. Collins
Wrigley Field is much more than a name.
It’s hallowed grounds for the love of the game!
Zell, you’ve really got balls.
What’s next - our famed ivy walls?
As a native Chicagoan you should feel shame!
--Kelly McGorray
No more will I go to the ballpark
whose name, of this game, was a hallmark
'cuz once it is changed
by a magnate deranged
they might as Zell play in the damn dark!
--mike wellman
Wrigley is its name
But an old man is to blame
Sell the team
With your greedy scheme
But the name should stay the same!!
--Jeremy Barton
Wrigley Field, where the Cubs play ball
I don't want to see this great name fall
What in the world would Harry say?
He'd shake his head in dismay!
This is our year to win it all!
--Matt Aver
Wrigley Field is where the Cub's play ball
Please give Sam Zell a telephone phone call
Do not change the name
Just leave it the same
So we can concentrate on baseball
--DOUG HARTMAN
There once was a life-long Chicago Cubbies fan
Who loved nothing more than watching with beer in hand
Next Year it’s ours was his creed
Now it’s to hell with corporate greed
It’s Wrigley til I die or I become a South-side man
--Michele Rudoy
"Take me out to the ball game,
But don’t ever take out the name.
We don't care if Zell’s never back,
We’ll sell him for some peanuts and cracker jack,
If they don't call it “Wrigley” what a shame.
--Mark Muenchow
There once was a king named Zell
Who in greed decided to sell
The name of field called Wrigley
Or even the soul of “Big Lee”
But in the end twas his soul bartered to hell.
--Mark Muenchow
Let's keep our field name Wrigley
not a name like Piggly Wiggly
It'd be swell
If the guy named Zell
Sold all Cub assets Quickley
--Steven Field
There's a man goes by the name of Sam Zell
With a tale I'm here for you to tell
'Bout America's past time
and a corporate crime
What's next... a deal with the Devil to rename Hell to "Swell"?
--Kevin Merrill
Capone to Rezko to Zell
Who is worse, it's hard to tell.
Changing the name would be a crime.
I just might switch to the Sun-Times.
Keep it Wrigley or go to hell.
--Donald Hayes
There's a Northside ball field we call Wrigley,
Who's own was not too Cub-friendly
And try as he might change its name in the night
WRIGLEY WILL ALWAYS BE WRIGLEY!
--bobbi wos
THERE ONCE WAS A MAN NAMES ZELL
WHO BOUGHT AN ICON TO SELL
IF HE DOESN'T ACT PIGGLY
AND TRY TO SELL WRIGLEY
IT'LL DEFINITELY KEEP DOWN THE SMELL
--CHUCK BECHLER
It’s not just a park in Lakeview
The neighborhood took the name too
If Fenway won’t change
Wrigley should remain
And Zell should just get a clue
--Tara Mitchell
IT'S CALLED WRIGLEY
THATS THE NAME
IT'S CALLED WRIGLEY
KEEP IT THE SAME
WE WONT GO TO PIGLEY WIGLEY
--MICHAEL GATLIN
The Wrigley name must be changed, was the quote.
For the price of a treasury note.
Sam Zell maintains position
to mess with tradition
So, now the Cubs found a name for their goat.
--Joe Friedman
With the sale pending for Zell
Winds of change have started to smell
The fans say by the time the old man
Completes his sinister plan
There will be glaciers forming in hell
--John Dietz
There once was a Big Cheese named Zell
History he wanted to sell
'Twas to line his wallet
But whatever ya call it
He gives off an awful smell!
--Kelly Houlihan
For decades the fans have come,
To the ballpark named after the gum,
But they're all turning pale,
At the thought of its sale.
To change it is pretty dumb!
--Lou deMartelly
There once was a man named Zell
We already have The Cell
If he changes the name
No one else is too blame
He can go straight to Hell
--DOUG HARTMAN
Wrigley Field is our name
Playing baseball is our game
Blago Field has no zip
We'd be on a sinking ship
A different name would be so lame!
--Teri Aver
Does it matter? What's in a name!
Ivy, vines, it's all the same...
Nevertheless, Sam Zell
You should go to...well...
Go back from whence you came!
--Kelly Houlihan
"Wrigley's" the home of the Cubbies
Always was and always will be's
Zell it for profit
The Trib's gotta stop it
It's like calling the Cubbies the Phillies
--Michael Beitzel
I grew up in the shadows of Wrigley Field
The pain of '69 has never really healed
Changing the name of a landmark
worse than baseball after dark
"Keep it Wrigley" are the only signs that should ever be unvieled
--Ron Follett