1908. It was a leap year starting on Wednesday. It was the year in which a ball signifying New Year’s Day dropped in New York City’s Times Square for the first time, Mother’s Day was observed for the first time, Henry Ford produced his first Model T automobile, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series by defeating the Detroit Tigers 2–0 in the fifth game (their most recent Series victory), and, coincidentally, the song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” was written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer.

Written one hundred years ago, the song would go on to become one of America’s all-time classic songs. This was not, however, due to the original version of the song (lyrics HERE) nor was it a result of recordings made by popular artists such as The Andrews Sisters or Frank Sinatra (listen below). No, the song would not achieve the worldwide renown until sometime after 1971 when (then) Chicago White Sox announcer Harry Caray first started singing the song along with Comiskey Park organist Nancy Faust. In 1976, White Sox owner Bill Veeck asked Harry if he could give him a microphone so he could sing for the entire stadium during the seventh-inning stretch. Initially, Harry wanted no part of it. Thankfully, as Caray was doing it one afternoon, WMAQ radio producer/broadcaster Jay Scott decided to open the booth mikes on him without his realizing it and a tradition was born. Harry began working his magic to the delight of crowds at Comiskey during each game until, in 1982, Caray joined the Chicago Cubs organization. It was at this time that the Harry Caray seventh-inning show grew to become legendary, largely thanks to nationally syndicated cable channel WGN.

Though I first remember learning and singing the song with Little League friends/teammates prior to watching any Cubs games on WGN (fair warning: I’m a Yankees fan who grew up watching Scooter on WPIX), “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” didn’t really have much significance in my world until I first saw Harry Caray sing it on television sometime in the summer of 1985 (watch Harry sing the song in 1985 HERE). The game was a blowout, the Cubs were getting killed, but suddenly here came this friendly sounding old man leaning out of the broadcast booth and warming up the entire crowd. Everyone got out of their seats and sang along and the atmosphere in Wrigley Field was instantly transformed. I’d like to say it revitalized the team as well and led to a late-inning comeback, but it didn’t. It did, however, make a long lasting impact on me as the baseball stadium tradition of all baseball stadium traditions.

Harry Caray continued that tradition of singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” until he died in 1998. At that time the Cubs began a practice of inviting guest celebrities, local and national, to lead the singing Caray-style (see a partial list below). Many memorable (and horrendous) versions of the song have come about as a result, and it’s grown into a fine tribute to the tradition begun by Harry Caray some thirty plus years ago.

As “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” celebrates its 100th birthday this year, ESPN has asked nine popular musical artists to record a version of the song in a battle of the bands competition with a winner to be announced on July 13th. Voters have already culled the entrants down from nine to three, with the three top vote-getters now competing for the title of “Best version of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’”. Check out the three remaining contestants below and vote for your favorite HERE.

“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by Gretchen Wilson (above)

“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by Ozomatli (above)

“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by Punch Brothers (above)

Again, recorded versions of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” did indeed exist prior to Harry Caray’s trademark take on the song - we’ve got two of them for you below (one from The Andrews Sisters and then also from Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly). In addition you’ll find three more modern versions from Dr. John, the infamous William Hung, and Carly Simon. Of course, when it comes to the one hundred year old American classic “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, nobody does it better than Harry. I can still hear him now - starting up like a beat-up old jalopy in that trademark Caray fashion… “Alright! Lemme hear ya! Ah-One! Ah-Two! Ah-Three!”

Listen:
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” by The Andrews Sisters
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” by Dr. John
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” by William Hung
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” by Carly Simon
“Take Me Out To The Ballgame” by Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Below is a list of recording artists, bands & musical acts that have performed “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley Field during the seventh inning stretch (with video of a select few) - full list of guest performers HERE:

Trace Adkins ‘03, ‘07
Frankie Avalon ‘98
Lance Bass (’N Sync) ‘01
Chuck Berry ‘01
Dick Biondi ‘05
Michael Bolton ‘00
Kix Brooks (Brooks & Dunn) ‘01
Meredith Brooks ‘02
Jimmy Buffett ‘98, ‘99, ‘03 (watch)
Peter Cetera ‘03, ‘07
Chicago ‘06
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) ‘98, ‘03
Deborah Cox ‘99
Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) ‘07
Charlie Daniels ‘00
Dennis DeYoung (Styx) ‘00
Joey Fatone (’N Sync) ‘01
John Fogerty ‘06 (watch)
Peter Frampton ‘02
Debbie Gibson ‘05
Andy Griggs ‘02
Buddy Guy ‘98, ‘99
Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead) ‘00
Kid Rock ‘03
Cyndi Lauper ‘99
Simon LeBon (Duran Duran) ‘08
Richard Marx ‘99, ‘03
Martina McBride ‘98
Joe Nicholas ‘05
Kellie Pickler ‘07 (watch)
Oak Ridge Boys ‘03
Tony Orlando ‘00, ‘02, ‘04
Ozzy Osbourne ‘03 (watch)
Kenny Rogers ‘99
Frank Sinatra Jr. ‘03
Koko Taylor ‘98
George Thorogood ‘07
Shania Twain ‘03
SheDaisy ‘04
Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) ‘98, ‘03, ‘06-’07 (watch)
Mary Wilson (The Supremes) ‘01
The B-52’s ‘00
Big Head Todd and The Monsters ‘02
The Buckinghams ‘00
Cheap Trick ‘98
Chicago ‘99
Faze 4 ‘01
The Fray ‘07
The Grand Ole Opry ‘00
Hootie and the Blowfish ‘99
Journey ‘04
KC & The Sunshine Band ‘00
NY Radio City Rockettes ‘00
Poi Dog Pondering ‘07
The Red Walls ‘05
Styx ‘04
Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts ‘03
“Rent” cast members ‘99
Lee Ann Womack ‘06

*front picture from HERE, top picture from HERE.