Cubs' Hammel on Wrigley Field renovations: 'It looks like Baghdad'
Chicago Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel is already regretting a comparison he made regarding the Wrigley Field renovations Wednesday.
"It looks like Baghdad," Hammel told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun- Times. "But you know there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow there."
Hammel's insensitive comment immediately landed him in hot water, especially with members of the armed forces.
@HammelTime39 Jason, will all due respect - from a veteran. Until you're taking mortars in the dugout at Wrigley, stop calling it Baghdad.
— Kyle Harvey (@kyledharvey) April 2, 2015
Hammel was quick to issue an apology Thursday afternoon for his poor choice of words:
In regards to my Wrigley renovation comment... Not my best choice of words. My apologies for offending anyone. I meant no disrespect at all
— Jason Hammel (@HammelTime39) April 2, 2015
The historic ballpark's face-lift is coming along slowly due to numerous setbacks, but will be operational for the season opener Sunday night. The ballpark will be fully opened sometime near midseason, with the complete project not wrapping up until possibly 2018.