In 39 years, Cubs fans have seen big-league jump in Opening Day prices

It used to be when you went to Wrigley Field, the team wasn't very good -- but the food was even worse.

At least you got what you paid for. "Lunch well -- and economically," the Cubs used to proclaim above the concessions menu on their cardboard scorecard. That was only half truth in advertising. Economical it was.

Such is the story of 40 consecutive Opening Days I have attended at Wrigley Field, continuing today. The first, on April 6, 1971, saw Cubs' Fergie Jenkins and the Cardinals' Bob Gibson duel to a 1-1 standstill into the bottom of the 10th before sweet-swinging Billy Williams broke it up against Gibson with a home into the right-field bleachers.