Cubs’ Jason Hammel on current state of Wrigley Field: ‘It looks like Baghdad’

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel said Wrigley Field “looks like Baghdad” as its undergoes renovations.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel said Wrigley Field currently “looks like Baghdad” as its undergoes renovations, but that the team is looking forward to seeing the final product, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.

While installation of the left field video board was completed on Wednesday, the outfield bleachers will not be ready for Opening Day. The left and centerfield bleachers are expected to open on May 11, with the right field bleachers following in June.

Hammel, who is entering his first full season with the Cubs, said he is looking forward to playing at the iconic stadium once the construction is finished.

“It looks like Baghdad,” Hammel said. “But you know there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow there. I’m excited, man.”

“It is what it is right now. We’re going to deal with it,” Hammel said. “But it’s exciting. It’s something that’s a long time coming and it’s fun to be a part of, even if it is going to be a little sketchy to get around.”

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The Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals in the season opener on Sunday. They will honor the late Ernie Banks with a pregame ceremony and also cover the outfield bleachers with photos of him.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts announced last month that the renovations, which were scheduled to be completed during the 2017 off-season, will take an extra year to finish.

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- Paul Palladino