{"id":591974,"date":"2026-02-25T11:31:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/591974\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:31:18","slug":"eight-night-games-approved-for-cubs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/591974\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight night games approved for Cubs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Feb. 25, according to the Tribune\u2019s archives.<\/p>\n

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Front page flashback: Feb. 26, 1974<\/p>\n

\"AnAn energy crisis was the impetus for President Richard Nixon to sign legislation that lowered the national speed limit to 55 mph in early 1974. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

1974: Illinois\u2019 maximum speed limit was reduced from 70 m.p.h. to 55 m.p.h.<\/a><\/p>\n

President Richard Nixon signed legislation<\/a> on Jan. 1, 1974, that required states to limit highway speeds to 55 mph as a way of conserving gasoline in the face of an OPEC oil embargo.<\/p>\n

The 55 mph limit was effectively phased out in 1987; federal speed limits were abolished in 1995<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n

High temperature: 72 degrees (2000)
\nLow temperature: Minus 9 degrees (1900)
\nPrecipitation: 0.73 inches (1926)
\nSnowfall: 6.7 inches (1994)<\/p>\n

\"TheThe city of Springfield, showing the Illinois State Capitol and the intersection of South 5th Street and East Adams Street, circa Dec. 27, 1945. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)<\/p>\n

1837: The Illinois General Assembly voted to move the state\u2019s capitol<\/a> from Vandalia to Springfield. The cornerstone was laid<\/a> for the Old State Capitol five months later.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Chicago Tribune<\/p>\n

The Feb. 26, 1975 Tribune announced the death of Elijah Muhammad at Mercy Hospital. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

1975: Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad<\/a> died of congestive heart failure almost one month after checking into Mercy Hospital under an assumed name.<\/p>\n

\"AfterAfter a six-year debate, Chicago City Council approved on Feb. 25, 1988, night baseball at Wrigley Field. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

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

Vintage Chicago Tribune: How Wrigley Field got lights and why Cubs fans had to wait past 8-8-88 to raise \u2018W\u2019 flag<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The measure, which passed three months after late Mayor Harold Washington endorsed<\/a> a \u201cmiddle course\u201d plan for 18 night games, also meant Wrigley Field could host the 1990 All-Star Game.<\/p>\n

The Cubs committed the following month to play at Wrigley Field until at least 2002<\/a>. And citizens group CUBS\u00a0threatened to sue<\/a>: \u201cIs there any other property owner in the city that has a 15-year clause allowing them to cause a nuisance?\u201d the group\u2019s President Paul Kendall asked during a news conference.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe 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)<\/p>\n

The team announced on June 20, 1988, that eight games would be played in the evening \u2014 two starting at 6:35 p.m. and five starting at 7:05 p.m.<\/p>\n

First up: Aug. 8.<\/p>\n

\""And“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<\/p>\n

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<\/a>\u00a0also took effect around the ballpark.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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. \u201cThis proves that the Cubs are cursed,\u201d said one fan, as she ran from the ballpark. The Tribune editorialized,\u00a0\u201cSomeone up there seems to take day baseball seriously.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\"ThoughThough 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)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might have been louder last night,\u201d said Mark Grace, who drove in one of the runs in the decisive seventh. \u201cBut that\u2019s the loudest for a complete game that I\u2019ve ever been associated with.\u201d<\/p>\n

2021: Illinois Tollway announced it would eliminate cash toll collections, making permanent a year-long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

Want more vintage Chicago?<\/p>\n

Subscribe to the free\u00a0Vintage Chicago Tribune<\/a>\u00a0newsletter, join our\u00a0Chicagoland history Facebook group,<\/a> stay current with Today in Chicago History<\/a> and follow us on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for more from Chicago\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0mmather@chicagotribune.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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