A Match Made in Baseball Heaven

In 1916, Wrigley purchased the Chicago Cubs with a group of investors, wholly owning the team by 1925.  The Cubs held their spring training on Catalina Island from 1921-1951 (with the exception of the WWII years).  For 30 years, the Chicago Cubs spent spring training in Avalon (1921-1941 and 1946-1951). 

Wrigley Field West was positioned in a spot where Wrigley could view the team from the Grand Suite at Mt. Ada.  He was known to call down to the manager and have the men run up the hill to Mt. Ada if he didn't think they were practicing hard enough. Wrigley Field West was built to match the dimensions of Chicago's Wrigley Field.  A clubhouse would eventually become the Catalina Island Country Club.  Each February the team would arrive with great fanfare including parades, speeches and live music.  The team would be accompanied by the sports press.  One radio sportscaster by the name of Ronald "Dutch" Reagan covered the Chicago Clubs on Catalina Island.  Wrigley used the Cubs' presence on the island in advertisements: "The Cubs Are Here, You Should Come Too" was a frequent tagline. 

Wrigley Field West

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was a sports announcer between 1932 and 1937.  He's one of four United States presidents who have visited the island.  Warren G. Harding would have been fifth, but he died a week before his trip.  Reagan was hired as a sportscaster early in his career at the rate of $10 a week, eventually making $75 a week as an announcer at WOC, based out of Iowa. In the late 20s/early 30s, accordingtoan inflation estimator, $10 would be equivalent of approximately $146 to $170 in 2019. He was so liked by team members he was often allowed to wear a Cubs uniform and workout with the team.

By the time Reagan was announcing for the Cubs during spring training, he was making $200 a week.  While working in California, this is when Reagan also lined up his debut film role as a radio annnouncer in the 1937 film Love is on the Air.  

If not for the Cubs and Catalina Island, just imagine .. perhaps Ronald Reagan would never have begun his career as an actor?

Catalina Island visitors will still find mementos of the halcyon days when the Cubs played on Catalina Island.  The ballfield where the Cubs used to practice is long gone, but a plaque commemorates its location.  What hasn't dimmed over the years is the love local island residents have for Chicago's team.  Island visitors will see the distinctive Fly the W flag on local businesses such as the Catalina Casino during the season.  

In 2016, when the Cubs won the World Series the cheers echoed throughout Avalon Canyon.  Take Me Out to the Ballgame was played on the Catalina Chimes.  

Located above Avalon Bay, the Catalina Chimes have been tolling on the quarter hour between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. since 1925.  William Wrigley, Jr. and his wife, Ada purchased the Westminster chimes from the Deagan Company of Chicago in 1925 and a Spanish-style structure was built to house the chimes.  The Catalina Chimes Tower was presented as a gift to the town of Avalon by Mrs. Wrigley in hopes to add a bit of character to the island.  

Sadly, only half the 400 or so chimes produced by the Deagan Chime Company are still in operation today.  

Perhaps correspondence with the Deagan Chime Company is due regarding the chimes on Catalina Island.