The rivalry between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs is one of the most iconic, most heated, and longest-lasting in all of sports, with the two teams meeting over 2,500 times dating back to the 1880s. So it’s no surprise that there’s no love lost, even among the broadcasters, when it comes to rival stadiums.
Longtime Cardinals radio announcer John Rooney has been part of the rivalry for over two decades, joining the franchise after spending 18 years on the south side of Chicago with the White Sox. And in an interview with KMOX in St. Louis, Rooney shared his unabridged thoughts on the home of the Cubs, Wrigley Field.
Of course, Wrigley’s iconic status also transcends baseball as the home of the North Siders since 1916. But given it’s been around for over 100 years, it might not have the same comforts and amenities as the Cardinals’ newest rendition of Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006.
#STLCards announcer John Rooney gets brutally honest about Wrigley Field!
“I’ve never liked the weeds on the wall, or the little bears on the uniform…The working conditions are the worst in baseball.” pic.twitter.com/W8RnDzgPAl
— KMOX Sports (@KMOXSports) August 13, 2026
“I’ve never liked the weeds on the wall or the little bears on the uniform. I don’t care for that place at all. It’s great for the fans. The fans love it with the history and the feeling they get, but the working conditions are the worst in baseball,” Rooney said.
He then went on to compliment the Cubs personnel, saying their announcers and staffers who work the broadcasts next door to the Cardinals booth were great. But as for the stadium they work in? That’s a different story.
“They’re wonderful people. And that makes it tolerable to go there. But to work there, once the game gets started and the competition heats up, then I get into it,” he added.
If you’ve ever seen a baseball game at Wrigley Field, it’s like walking into a holy cathedral. Fans of the Cubs and the city of Chicago will do everything they can to make sure it remains home forever. The stadium has an aura and an almost spiritual quality that can never be duplicated. And the history and retro conditions are part of the charm, as long as you’re not a visiting broadcaster, of course.
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