The 7th Inning Stretch
by thisisitflyfishing on May 27, 2008 8:10 PM CDT
48 comments
Hey Cubs fans! I need your opinion. Before I pose the question, let me give you some background; I grew up in Chicago and moved to Philly in High School. Philly is a tough city. Thanks to MLB package, I now get Cubs games on cable and watch them 70% of the time. Now for the question; Why in the WORLD do we let opposing teams people come in to our house to do the 7th inning stretch??? This is ridiculous!!! In my opinion it is part of the reason we haven't won in 100 years. We lack the KILLER instinct! No one, and I mean no one, other than a CUBS fan should have that privilege. Bob Uecker, Tommy Losorda, whatever! This is Wrigley, and we are CUBS fans! This needs to stop NOW! Anyone else agree with me or have I become "philly-ized"?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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It's a song
It has nothing to do with a team’s performance. I don’t care who sings. There’s only so many people to find. I’d rather hear Bob Uecker sing it than New Trier’s state runner up girls field hockey team.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08
by Fuk-U-Meter on May 27, 2008 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you hear Tommy tonight??? “Root, Root, Root for the Dodgers” ! This is ridiculous! I have a fundamental problem with this. Yes, it is a song…but in our stadium, it is OUR song! Only Cub fans, no one else. Why dont we let them fly their flag and paint their name on the field? No big deal.
by thisisitflyfishing on May 27, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
i kind of agree with you. uecker saying lets go brewers and lasorda lets go dodgers. come on its stupid in my mind.
but i dont see it affecting the team. i just think its stupid. and who knows maybe it does pump the other team up but i doubt it.
by Glacier on May 27, 2008 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our song?
Since when is “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” OUR song?
You know what you’re going to get when Uecker or Lasorda sing. Of course they’re going to sing for their team. I prefer a baseball legend over SheDaisy or the guys from Reno 911.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08
by Fuk-U-Meter on May 27, 2008 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we don't own the song.
I’d prefer to let Ron Santo sing it every day. But that’s me.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
But only because this is something that Ron actually does very well. Broadcasters generally sing it better than random celebrities, but Ron is the best. He’s in tune, on key, and in time. You can tell he respects the origins of the tradition, and kind of leads the crowd the way Harry did. And he really seems to enjoy it.
"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome
by JohnM on May 28, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hhahaha I agree...
Screw New Trier
by fuku-domenation on May 27, 2008 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uecker did it too.
“Root root root for the Brewers, you do the same for the Cubs.” That’s exactly what he said. Have you noticed that they always score after the seventh inning stretch. Maybe it gives them some momentum.
"You know they're not going to lose 162 games." Harry Caray
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 27, 2008 8:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Exactly! They always score after it. Remember Bernie Mac in 2004? After that was a big collapse. I dont know who he is a fan of but I do know he screwed it up which means he cant be that big of a fan. My point is simply this; There are tons of Cubs fans and only we deserve to sing.
by thisisitflyfishing on May 27, 2008 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bernie Mac screwed it up
I’m sorry. This is just ignorant. I’m sure Alex Gonzalez booted that grounder because Bernie Mac sang the 7th inning stretch.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08
by Fuk-U-Meter on May 27, 2008 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
'03
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on May 27, 2008 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I need statistics
Sorry, but “have your noticed” is not enough evidence to prove that the Cubs score more after someone sings a song.
I’ll make one up too. Ready?
“The Cubs score more after Big Mike in section 529 gets his second beer in the 4th inning.” There. I did it.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08
by Fuk-U-Meter on May 27, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nicely done I might add.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on May 27, 2008 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can I sit
next to Big Mike and have a second beer in the 4th too?
I wanna help the team, you see…
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No no, that jinxes things
You can only have beer in the fifth.
by Arbusto on May 28, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wondering...
Is this the second beer of the game or the second beer consumed in the 4th inning alone?
by BartlettBob on May 28, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last comment
I’m somewhat embarrassed that I’m spending so much time responding to this nonsense. Cubs fans that blame a song or a goat or a guy in headphones for their repeated failures are not ones that I care to associate with. I really hope this thread was written with a bit of sarcasm.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08
by Fuk-U-Meter on May 27, 2008 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think the song has anything to do with who wins or loses
But I don’t want to hear some blow hard like Tommy Lasorda say go Dodgers and then have to listen to him talk nonstop thru the whole bottom of the 7th… Although it was funny he got a little quieter when the Cubs took the lead…
by LT on May 27, 2008 9:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if we don't win this
I hope you guys do! :P
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on May 27, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What was he ranting about in the bottom of the 7th?
In the top of the 7th with Pat and Ron he was going off on how he hates pitch counts, and how he once pitched a game in some Canadian league where he threw maybe 14 innings or so, gave up a ton of runs, struck out 25, walked 15, threw 280 pitches, and drove in the winning run. “If this was a game today I would have been pulled in the second!” And maybe your team wouldn’t have given up 15 walks and however many runs you gave up, Tommy. Then after the inning ended he went a very long way into the break ranting about how Santo deserved to be in the hall. Which is a fine thing to mention, but he really was over the top. Pat was really struggling the whole time to get a word in to call plays.
by aldimond on May 27, 2008 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn't affect on field performance but...
I don’t want to hear anything coming out of Tommy Lasorda except a rant or a slim fast commercial. No one should sing the stretch unless they are going to say root root for the Cubbies, I don’t understand why that if they don’t have any celebs to do it why they don’t pick a random fan to do it (I know they have that contest, but its not the same) Al will have to talk to Crane about that one lol
Svelte
by ryanbrixenivy on May 27, 2008 9:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lasorda was a putz
just like he was a couple years ago when he sang it. And the way he jumped all over the bad sac bunts, was a little uncalled for too. Not that I disagree with him, but it came out rather rudely. I would say anyone can sing it, but it would be more respectful to sing the home teams name.
Geovany Soto you're my Hero
by love the ivy on May 28, 2008 4:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
the comment after the bunt was a bit out of line.
i was pretty shocked to hear it come across the way it did.
a bit off topic, but did anyone else notice how much he was talking about himself and his accomplishments? and it’s not like they were solicited from len/bob. i love hearing his perspective on things and i respect the guy and think he’s done great things in his career, but he knows every stat about himself and doesnt mind sharing them.
by dahcar on May 28, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's time to retire this.
For a year, it was a great tribute to Harry.
For a year, maybe, after that, it was OK.
Now, it’s embarrassing. Play the song and announce over the PA, “Sing in tribute to Harry.” But please, get the awful singers and out-of-town people and people with no connection to baseball out of here.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on May 28, 2008 4:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps I went too far in insinuating that it could cause a loss, and correct it is not our song. This is however our house and the only person singing should be someone who is willing to do it our way…root, root, root for the Cubbies. End of story. I agree with the post that it should be Ron Santo period. Stop with Lasorda and Uecker already. Just think: In a few years we will be able to welcome Tony LaRussa to perform when the Cards are in town after he retires.
by thisisitflyfishing on May 28, 2008 6:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree
I agree with everything you are saying, how would the Yankees like a Red Soxs fan to come and sing TMOTTBG at Yankee Stadium I dont think that would happen and if it does it would not get a good responds, and sorry I brought up the Yankees and Red Sox.
by brownbuddha on May 28, 2008 6:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My .02
I don’t mind when baseball greats like LaSorda and Uecker say their own team’s name when they sing the stretch. It just wouldn’t seam right if Bob Uecker sang “root for the Cubbies”, ya know? Now, if they start letting these schmuck actors sing “root for the __”, then I’ll be pissed off.
by kanderber on May 28, 2008 7:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Apparantly I’m in the minority here, but I actually kind of enjoyed hearing Lasorda last night on the telecast. To me he didn’t come across as arrogant or as a homer (except maybe when he sang), but for someone who has given so much to the game of baseball and is a legend, I just heard someone who just really enjoys baseball and talking about baseball.
Perhaps I’m just weird that way, but I could listen to just about any old timer talk about baseball and their experiences all night. I love it.
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
by RynoHoF on May 28, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've long advocated that...
...ONLY former Cubs players (or members of the Cubs organization) or avowed, confirmed, bleeding-cubbie-blue celebrities (your Joe Mategnas, your Jeff Garlands) should be allowed to sing the stretch. Otherwise, just let Ron Santo do it.
Is it going too far to suggest that having an opposing team’s fan or rep (a la Tommy Lasorda last night) sing it could affect the outcome of the game? Well, yeah, it probably is going too far. (The Cubs did win last night.) Nonetheless, I don’t need to hear anyone yelling “root, root, root for the DODGERS” at Wrigely freakin’ Field. That should never, ever happen.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on May 28, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wrigely = Wrigley, of couse. Damn typos.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on May 28, 2008 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AMEN! You say it perfectly. I am, quite frankly shocked at how many other Cub fans are o.k. with this.
by thisisitflyfishing on May 28, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It seems to me
That the issue is for the most part mitigated, due to the throngs of Cubs fans that generally drown out guys like Lasorda. In a way, and maybe I’m playing Devils advocate here, it kinda shows people how good our fans are. We have the class to let some knucklehead sing the song (people know they break tradition by “rooting” for thier teams) and yet our fans still let it be known that Wrigley belongs to the Cubs. No, Phillies fans we are not, and never should be. Cubs fans are a reflection of laid back values, which IMO can be found not only in the Chicago area, but around the country, heck the world.
by StevenABQ on May 28, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And another thing
Its also a nice contrast to see a guy like Mark Grace come in and “root, root, root for the Cubbies” He puts all the Lasordas and Ueckers to shame. To me it balances itself out.
by StevenABQ on May 28, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's an interesting perspective...
...and you’re probably saving yourself from a lot of stress by looking at it that way. I just don’t think the Cubs should let other teams have a “voice” on the Wrigley PA system. Period.
Maybe it just harkens back to the days when the Wrigleys owned the Cubs and managed the team as if it were a circus act. I want to see the emphasis on winning and pride in the Cubs. And I think letting the Tommy Lasordas of the world yell out a cheer for their team in our house hurts that. Let’s make the Friendly Confines a little less friendly is all I’m saying.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on May 28, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very Valid Point
Your right and I can see it your way for sure. I do have to admit sometimes I feel guilty for getting to reminicient about Wrigley and the experience. Maybe we need to keep our traditions in check. And it could be that practices like the 7th inning stretch only reinforce the old sterotypes about our club. We probably should toughen up a bit, and show people that Wrigley field is not just a nostalgic sappy trip into yesteryear, but a place where true competitors take the field. And most importantly where fans go to WATCH them play.
by StevenABQ on May 28, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heres an idea
scrap it, its stupid.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on May 28, 2008 9:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Kelly Pickler
shouldn’t be the resident 7th Inning Stretch Singer.
"In all the categories that you pay the most attention to, except the loss column, we're doing very well" - Jim Hendry
by Jayo525 on May 28, 2008 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Erin Andrews
would do it for me…...but seriously, I’d like to see either Ron do it all the time or maybe a tape of Harry.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on May 28, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is pretty classy that Mark Grace still says root for the cubs, even though he is working for the d-backs. Little things like that is why he is my favorite cub. honestly though I think they should scrap it. Maybe let some drunk fan in the stands sing it, I know I would think it would be cool if I got to sing it. I got it Bill MURRAY EVERY DAY.
by nks6911 on May 28, 2008 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m not too big on random celebrities coming in and singing it, but I do think it is tradition. And to be honest there is no comparison to other parks. It may be an old fashioned cornball song, but people do recognize that the stretch it by far sung the loudest at Wrigley. I think thats cool, kids get a kick out of it, etc. Honestly, I have no issue with it, its a small light hearted diversion, no hurt no foul.
by StevenABQ on May 28, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
two words: who cares?
I usually am watching on tivo and just fast forward through it anyway. but even when I’m not, I don’t give it a second thought.
With everything that is actually related to the game of baseball that can be obsessed over, who sings the stretch or how they sing it or whatever just doesn’t matter.
That being said, if I had to vote, I’d vote for Ron Santo to do it every day.
by SuperContext on May 28, 2008 12:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sutcliffe
Did Rick say he’ll “root root root” for the CUBBIES or DODGERS during the 7th tonight (5/28/2008)?
I missed it and a friend said he said Dodgers? Just wondering if he did or not.. not like I care or anything.
by deanosaur on May 28, 2008 9:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He said Cubs.
Wondering if you guys think Peter Coors is coming in town to sing this weekend?
by thisisitflyfishing on May 28, 2008 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Lasorda said "Dodgers", Sutcliffe said "Cubbies."
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on May 29, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bleah
The seventh inning stretch is by far the best time to go to the bathroom or grab another overpriced snack. After the top half of the seventh, I’ll probably grab a polish tonight at the game. Section 19 Row 7
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by WayneCampbell08 on May 29, 2008 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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