WRIGLEYVILLE — It came down to the wire, but the Chicago Cubs will deliver on their promise to return the iconic marquee to its post at Clark and Addison in time for Opening Day.
The marquee will return Wednesday afternoon after undergoing restoration during the Cubs offseason, the club said Tuesday.
The sign was taken down in November while crews overhauled virtually the entire Wrigley Field facade. After stripping down the ballpark facade to its bare bones, workers replaced most of the steel and infrastructure, the ballpark began to replace the siding this week.
The marquee got a facelift as well, restoring the patchwork of red that was gradually touched up over the years to a uniform shade.
The ornamental fencing, concrete slabs and terra cotta that "reflect the golden age of Wrigley Field" have also been returned to the ballpark, the team said.
Crews have started placing panels along the Wrigley Field facade one week before Opening Day. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]
A few familiar (if inflexible) faces are back as well. Statues of Harry Caray, Ron Santo and Billy Williams returned to their spots outside the Wrigley Field gates on Monday.
The Ernie Banks statue is expected to return to its prime real estate below the marquee at Clark and Addison on Friday.
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