There is but one song about our national pastime that continues to be used regularly since its inception 100 years ago: Jack Norworth's Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Originally sung by Norworth's wife, the song has been reproduced numerous times (as it has every seventh inning at Wrigley since 1982, when broadcaster Harry Caray started the tradition; recently, it has been butchered by the likes of Eddie Vedder, Ozzy Osbourne, Vince Vaughn, and Mike Ditka), and yet, it was penned by an individual who had never seen the game played before. Since the song was written, several teams have produced songs that have incited rally cries and inspired fans to get behind their team. Provided for you here are several of those songs, complete with a Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra version of Ballgame and the marketable talent of Batting Stance Guy.5. Batting Stance Guy
4. Go Yankees!
3. Meet the Mets!
2. Go Cubs Go!!
Note about this addition: folk-singer and Cubs fanatic Steve Goodman penned the song in 1984, the first time Chicago played in the playoffs since 1945 (and sadly, the very year Goodman died). For the past 24 years, Cubs fans sing this tune in unison after every Cubs win; it truly is a sight to behold.
1. Take Me Out to the Ballgame
1 comment:
Good to see your posted video of "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman. He often doesn't get his due. You might be interested in my 800-page biography, "Steve Goodman: Facing the Music." The book delves deeply into the genesis of "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" and its semi-sequel, "Go, Cubs, Go." (Goodman also does a wonderful duet with Jethro Burns on "Take Me Out to the Ballgame.")
You can find out more at my Internet site (below). Amazingly, the book's first printing sold out in just eight months, all 5,000 copies, and a second printing of 5,000 is available now. The second printing includes hundreds of little updates and additions, including 30 more photos for a total of 575. It just won a 2008 IPPY (Independent Publishers Association) silver medal for biography: http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1231. To order a second-printing copy, see the "online store" page of my site. Just trying to spread word about the book. Feel free to do the same!
Clay Eals
1728 California Ave. S.W. #301
Seattle, WA 98116-1958
(206) 935-7515
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ceals@comcast.net
http://www.clayeals.com
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