The awesome drawing power of the Chicago Cubs was on display this weekend, as the ball club broke their own one-day sales record by selling over 600,000 tickets to eager fans on Friday, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. With the final figures from the purchasing frenzy not yet available, the Cubs estimated that about 25% of their home games (20 of 81 dates) have already been sold out.

The Cubs previous ticket sales record of 572,000 sold in one day was set in 2004, the first day tickets were available after the team's promising run in the playoffs in 2003. After a sub .500 record and a 4th place finish in 2005, perhaps this year's boom in sales can be attributed to good, old fashioned Cubs fan optimism.

The capacity at Wrigley Field has increased to 41,118, as a result of the renovations done this winter to the bleachers. Considering the massive initial interest and extra space in the ball park, the Cubs should easily surpass their single season attendance mark of 3,170,155 (set in 2004) -- even if they turn in another disappointing, sub .500 campaign.