Changing baseball tradition

[Atreyu]

I moved to Michigan back in January. Today I went to a Detroit Tigers game for the first time, partly to see what Comerica Park looked like (it's beautiful), and also partly to see what a team that has lost 100 games before September looked like (it's not beautiful).

As the seventh inning stretch began, I was anticipating a rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", the song I've seen traditionally done at this time, but instead was treated to "God Bless America."

Now, I like this song, and it was nicely sung by the guest singer, but I was a little bothered---nay, annoyed--by the absence of "TMOTTB". It's a part of baseball tradition, and I wonder if the Tigers will ever restore it.

Has this become more common at other ballparks around the country since 9-11-01? And am I completely out of line for resenting this alteration in what has been a venerable baseball tradition?

Oh, and the Tigers lost (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230831106) today, their 101st loss.

[Troy McClure SF]

We sing TMOTTBg at Pac Bell Park. Because, after all, the song is http://home.comcast.net/~buffalohead/takemeout.htm ( about the Giants.

In 1908, a vaudeville star from Philadelphia called Handsome Jack Norworth was riding a New York City subway train when a placard at a station stop caught his eye. On the placard was printed this: "BASE BALL TODAY — POLO GROUNDS."

Why does every site about that song have to include a shitty MIDI of it?

[amarinth]

I've not been to many games this year, but it seems that last year and this year in Safeco it was a toss up as to whether they'd sing
(1) God Bless America followed by TMOTTB...
or
(2) TMOTTB all on its own

I didn't go to enough to figure out which option they were choosing for what reason...but we were singing TMOTTB no matter what. And no, you're not completely out of line. (Perhaps there's a correlation between 101 losses and failure to sing appropriately during the seventh inning.)

[VarlosZ]

At Shea they sing "God Bless America," followed by "Take Me Out. . .", followed by "Lazy Mary" (at least, I think that's what it's called).

I could do without "God Bless America."

[amarone]

The Braves do TMOTTBG except on Sunday, when they do GBA.

[amarone]

Originally posted by daddybee
The right wing flag wavers like to get God into everything.
Next they'll work it into the pledge of allegiance (oh, right, they did. Guess one prayer per ball game wasn't enough) Are you suggesting that there are some ball games where the pledge of allegiance is taken?

[Atreyu]

I've never seen a ball game or a game in any other sport where the pledge of allegiance is recited. Invariably, though, I've seen "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung before games, as was the case today.

[Hugh Jass]

THe Orioles always play "Take me home, country roads" by John Denver at the stretch.

[JohnBckWLD]

Originally posted by VarlosZ
At Shea they sing "God Bless America," followed by "Take Me Out. . .", followed by "Lazy Mary" (at least, I think that's what it's called)...Rumor has it they're considering a change in the big purple rice bowl for the '04 season. Reliable sources can't confirm this, but I heard from a couple people the Shea organist has opted to scrap all 3 tunes & has been practicing a musical version of Beck's "Loser".

[BobLibDem]

I love the song God Bless America, but not in the 7th inning stretch. It takes away from the rhythm of the game. If you're the home pitcher, you're gonna get real stiff by the top of the 8th if your team bats a while in the 7th on top of the GBA break.

[Munch]

Originally posted by Hugh Jass
THe Orioles always play "Take me home, country roads" by John Denver at the stretch.

I thought they played "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy". Or is that another park that does that?

[Colibri]

I saw several Yankee games a few weeks ago. At the stretch, they played "God Bless America," then sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and then played "Cotton-eye Joe."

I was mildly surprised to see that the grounds crew was still performing "YMCA" in the 5th inning, which they started (I think) in 1996.

At least they're not still doing the lambada, like they used to then!

[Hugh Jass]

Originally posted by Munch
I thought they played "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy". Or is that another park that does that?

You'r right. I got the wrong John Denver song.

[Dogface]

Originally posted by Atreyu
I moved to Michigan back in January. Today I went to a Detroit Tigers game for the first time, partly to see what Comerica Park looked like (it's beautiful), and also partly to see what a team that has lost 100 games before September looked like (it's not beautiful).

As the seventh inning stretch began, I was anticipating a rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", the song I've seen traditionally done at this time, but instead was treated to "God Bless America."

Desperation leads to odd behavior.

Yes, I am making an AL division joke.

[mhendo]

Originally posted by Hugh Jass
You'r right. I got the wrong John Denver song. Unfortunately, if my recent experiences at Camden Yards are any indication, you're both wrong.

The last two games i've been to (in July and August), there was no playing of Thank God I'm A Country Boy.

To tell you the truth, i don't remember what they played in its place, if anything, but i do remember being vaguely pissed that it was no longer being used. It was fun to get the whole crowd a-foot-stompin'.

[Cervaise]

Originally posted by amarinth
it seems that last year and this year in Safeco it was a toss up as to whether they'd sing
(1) God Bless America followed by TMOTTB...
or
(2) TMOTTB all on its own

I didn't go to enough to figure out which option they were choosing for what reason...but we were singing TMOTTB no matter what....Followed by "Louie Louie." :)