Opening Day like no other at Cubs home

Tonight, the Chicago Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers in their home opener at Wrigley Field, and it will be different from the past 103 Opening Days at the ancient ballpark.

Wait until next year is over for the Cubs and their fans. Next year occurred last year, and tonight will mark the first time they’ve have played a home opener at Wrigley Field as defending world champions.

When the Cubs previously won in 1908, they opened the 1909 season in West Side Grounds. Wrigley Field didn’t open until 1914.

The Cubs will raise their World Series banner tonight, and rings will be handed out Wednesday, two firsts at Wrigley Field.

Things look at little different at the old ballpark since a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 5 of the World Series, which started the Cubs comeback from a 3-1 deficit.

A plaza has been installed outside the park with a lawn and a video screen that will host community events, movies and musical performances. There is a newly constructed building with a two-story team store and a higherend Starbucks Reserve stands at the corner of Clark Street and Waveland Avenue. There’s a new gate to the ballpark off the plaza, which should make it easier for fans to enter and exit.

Inside the park, the bullpens, which used to be in foul territory have been moved under the bleaches and replaced by premium seating along the foul lines.

Over the past two years the modernization of Wrigley has included the installation of two supersized Jumbotrons, renovation of the famed bleachers, and added creature comforts such as expanded entrances and concourses.

But the raising of the championship banner, according to Associated Press writer Andrew Seligman, is “a gift that might seem heaven sent.”

The Cubs, off to a 4-2 start, are looking forward to the pomp.

“We worked hard for that championship, we worked hard during the World Series, we worked hard all of spring training,” shortstop Addison Russell said. “So I believe that we earned it — it’s going to be a great day. It’d be kind of an insult to say ‘Let’s just play some baseball.’ ”

Left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who returned from six months on the disabled list to go 7 for 17 in the World Series, said the players can’t wait.

“We’ll raise the flag and get our ring,” Schwarber said. “That’s going to be some day that you won’t forget. It’ll be a good little blast from the past — and then keep working on the ’17 season.”

The season is a week old, but for one night the memories of 2016 will be strong in Chicago.

AP file photo Kyle Schwarber will receive his World Series ring Wednesday after helping the Chicago Cubs win their first championship since 1908 last season.