Watch rare footage of the Cubs playing at Wrigley Field in 1938

Wrigley Field started a much-anticipated renovation after the 2014 season, which plans to give the home of the Chicago Cubs more modern amenities. If they can get it done in time for opening day, that is.

Let’s forget about the future for a second, though, and venture into the past. This gem of a video, unearthed by Chicago Film Archives and shared by Eye On Baseball, shows Wrigley Field, the Cubs and Cubs fans as they were in 1938 through the magic 16-mm film.

Notice the sharp-dressed fans, who are smoking cigars and enjoying an afternoon at the ballpark. It’s a far cry from today’s cap and T-shirt crowd. The start of the video says this is from 1937, but Dayn Perry at Eye On Baseball figures this is actually the Cubs’ home opener in 1938, based on the scoreboard. YouTube commenters agree, pointing out the configuration of flagpoles on the scoreboard, which begin in 1938.

Imagine telling those fans that in 2015, the Cubs would be spending $575 million to renovate Wrigley, to rip out and replace the bleachers, plus add a new state-of-the-art scoreboard with more room for advertisements.

They’d think you were smoking something stronger than cigars. 

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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz