Night descends upon Wrigley Field after the Buckeyes' game against Northwestern. The sight is truly a spectacle, with the Chicago Skyline in the distance and a ballpark that holds a unique charm. This is Wrigleyville, a place like no other.

Discovering Wrigleyville

Beyond the home of the Chicago White Sox and north on Lakeshore Drive, one enters a world of calm and beauty. The views of Lake Michigan, along with the joggers, walkers, and dogs, offer a stark contrast to the busyness of big-city life. Parking under the "L" train tracks and strolling through the row houses, one finally catches a glimpse of Wrigley Field across Waveland Avenue. It's a sight that leaves one in awe, a first-time experience like no other.

Do-Rite Donuts and Beyond

At Do-Rite Donuts, just outside Wrigley Field, the aroma of delicious treats fills the air. Resisting the original chicken crispy sandwich is a futile effort as it proves to be better than any chicken sandwich one has ever tasted. Choosing a donut becomes a moment of decision, a choice that can't be taken lightly. The chocolate donut with chocolate icing and a wide crispy edge is a heavenly experience, one of the great donut moments in life.After indulging in donuts, one turns up Sheffield Avenue beyond the right-field bleachers. Charter buses have delivered the Buckeyes, and the sight of more people dressed in scarlet than purple is a clear indication of the Wrigley vibe. Head Buckeye Ryan Day also noticed it, saying, "We kind of felt it as the buses were going around the stadium and you're driving through Wrigleyville, and we just see all this red and scarlet and people fired up early."Inside the stadium, as the stands fill, they resemble the red maps of election night. The press box view from the corner of the end zone behind home plate is closer to the field than at Ohio Stadium. Seeing the Wrigley Rooftops in left and right fields is a truly cool sight. One remembers the day Reds pitcher Tom Browning went out there and got in trouble. Today, the fans are mostly red.

History and Greats

Wrigley Field opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Whales. The Cubs first played here in 1916 and have a rich history. Ernie Banks, with his commitment to the city, earned the nickname 'Mr. Cub'. Baseball reminders show up in unexpected ways, like the Buckeyes' entrance to the field, which is slow and unassuming. Throughout the day, one thinks of all the greats who represented the Windy City, from Ernie Banks to Hack Wilson, Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Dick Butkus, George Halas, and Gale Sayers.The Ohio State football players understood the significance of playing in this historic place. They defeated the hometown team 31-7, and quarterback Will Howard said, "The 8-year-old kid in me would be giddy. I was a baseball kid. This place is one of the most historic places in baseball and in sports. And being able to be out here and play a game on it was awesome."

The Carnell Tate Story

Ferocious linebacker Dick Butkus embodied the Bears' nickname 'Monsters of The Midway'. Carnell Tate came home with a heavy heart and caught two touchdown passes. His mother should have been in the stands, but she was tragically killed by a drive-by shooter. Tate didn't have to consent to a postgame interview, but he showed great strength in answering questions with short, honest answers. Head coach Ryan Day said, "We say it all the time that the game doesn't care about what you've been through. But we do, his teammates, do, his coaches do, the people who know Carnell care a lot about him. Just the way that he's handled himself is just an example to everybody."No other feeling from the day compared to Tate's joy. It was a day filled with memories and emotions, a day that will be forever remembered in the hearts of those who were there.