As most of us know, August 9th the San Francisco Giants are paying tribute to Jerry by hosting GARCIA NIGHT AT AT&T PARK. By all estimates, this is going to be a night to remember, a true celebration of community, music, memories and, of course, baseball. One sure highlight will be a Seventh Inning Stretch like no other presented by The Rhythm Devils. Mickey and Bill will conduct some 9,000 kazoo playing fans in a very untraditional performance of the very traditional "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."
Dead.net is pleased to offer a special Jerry Night warm-up. Check out Mickey's own history of this classic baseball tune ---
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is a beautiful love story where baseball decides the fate of a young couple.
The most popular baseball song in history, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was originally written as a 1908 love story. The words written by a Tin Pan Alley composer named Jack Norworth, the music by Albert von Tilzer who while riding a subway train, was inspired by a sign that said "Baseball Today — Polo Grounds." In the song, Katie's beau calls to ask her out to see a show. She accepts, but only if her date will take her out to the ballgame. Von Tilzer and Norworth finally saw their first Major League Baseball game 32 and 20 years later, respectively. It was played at a ballpark for the first known time in 1934, at a high-school game in Los Angeles, and researchers think it made its debut at a major-league park later that year.
Most people are probably only familiar with the song’s chorus which has since become popular during the 7th Inning Stretch. However, there are verses at the beginning of the song that instills a sense of camaraderie and connects people together for the love of the game and in vocal harmony. The song transcends team rivalry.
The earliest known recordings (see following web links) of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" come from a 1908 Edison tin cylinder. (Version #1) and two 78 rpm discs (ver#2 and #3) just discovered at the Library of Congress' "Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation." Versions #2 and #3 can now be heard in the newly restored copies.
Click here to listen to Version 11908 Version
Katie Casey was baseball mad,
Had the fever and had it bad.
Just to root for the home town crew,
Ev'ry cent Katie blew.
On a Saturday her young beau
Called to see if she'd like to go
To see a show, but Miss Kate said "No,
I'll tell you what you can do:"
[Chorus] Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
I don't care if I never get back
Let me root, root, root for the home team
If they don't win, it's a shame
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out
At the old ball game.
Katie Casey saw all the games,
Knew the players by their first names.
Told the umpire he was wrong, All along
Good and strong
When the score was just two to two
Katie Casey knew what to do
Just to cheer up the boys she knew
She made the gang sing this song:
[Chorus] Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
I don't care if I never get back
Let me root, root, root for the home team
If they don't win, it's a shame
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out
At the old ball game.
Click on the images below to view larger images.
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Keep tuned to Mickey's website for updates and more information.