A few random questions while watching the Yankees- Indians' game:
When did the seventh inning stretch tradition begin and why?
Why do they sing God Bless America? What is the conenction betwen this song and baseball?
Are there other traditions at other ballparks? I believe that Houston played "Wine, Women, and Snowpeas," er., I mean the Texas State Anthem. What elose is there?
3 comments:
Off the top of my head...
I don't remember "God Bless America" pre-9/11. I am fairly certain that it was a tradition started shortly thereafter in response. (I could be wrong).
It used to be "Take me out to the Ballgame" - a tradition stolen by many other teams.
7 inning stretch, I have always heard came from President Taft (a large man) rising to stretch at that point in the game.
There are of course tons of other traditions -- at Wrigley, opposing homerun balled are tossed back on to the field (other stadiums now also steal this one a lot).
Oh, and judge not baseball by what you witnessed at Minute Maid. I have never been to a more ridiculous pro-baseball experience than there. That is baseball for the attention-deficient.
Did a little poking on the intrawebs.... Taft thing is definitely a myth and I was indeed right about "God Bless America"
Also learned that historically, visiting fans would take their "stretch" at the top of the 7th instead of the middle.
I for one am going to personally observe this one from here on.
Here's what I think:
Irving Berlin wrote God Bless America and every time it is sung in public forum or for profit, like at baseball stadiums, the "God Bless America Fund" receives royalties.
The GBAF donates its royalties to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. Now even as a former Girl Scout (read: feminist in training) I am angered that everytime I pay to go to a Sunday baseball game (after 9/11 when this song was exchanged for Take Me Out) I am forced to stand and support a song that directly funds the Boy Scouts who discriminate against gay and transgendered peoples.
Post a Comment