Baseball Songs

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 09:15 PM

Chuck Brodsky has written a few baseball songs. I think one about Shoeless Joe Jackson and another about a player who drew his name in the dirt (with the toe of his shoe). Chuck clearly loves baseball.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Susan A-R
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 08:26 PM

Still waiting for the Cubs and the Red Sox to meet in the World Series. Somebody's gotta win.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Lonesome shortstop EJ
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 09:53 PM

Perfect time to reintroduce this thread. I got a kick out of Sheye's spelling on "look at me, I can be Centrefield". Guess ya gotta be a yank to understand the humor in it.

Would "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" qualify as a baseball song? It's got Phil Rizzuto's commentary, as well as a lot of hitting and scoring.

One of my favorite baseball tunes, "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" was a Chuck Berry tune (I think) about Jackie Robinson. I saw Jackie when I was about 6 years old, at the old Dodger Stadium before they built Chavez Ravine. Also in that game were Pee Wee Reese and Duke Snyder. Roy Campanella had just been released from the hospital after a tragic accident that left him paralyzed, and that game marked his return to Dodger Stadium. I remember the standing ovation he received as they wheeled him up to Home Plate, and seeing my Dad with tears in his eyes.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Dave Miller
Date: 15 Mar 99 - 05:51 PM

I came across the name of Bombo Rivera in one of the posts regarding regional oddity baseball songs. As indicated by the posting individual, Bombo was no great player. However, he was a fan favorite. He also became my favorite player. The first major league game I ever saw was in July 1978 with my Dad at old Met Stadium. We sat in the left field bleachers that day, kiddie jersey giveaway day (I'm sure I still have it somewhere). Being only 8 and living in Indiana at the time (we were in Minnesota visiting family), I didn't know any of the Twins players. But when Bombo trotted out to left, the whole bleachers started chanting "Bombo, Bombo, Bombo." He turned smiled broadly and waved. Well, I just thought that was the neatest thing and he instantly became my hero. He went 1 for 4, a cheap single, by the way. It's a challenge to have a no-name player as an idol, but it's maybe more fun. Every factoid or piece of memorabilia is rarer, more precious. Anyway, I've digressed. Garrison Keillor (yes, the famous fella who spoofs governors and tells what's happening in Lake Wobegon) penned The Ballad of Bombo Rivera in the late '70s as a tribute to the affable, though not very talented, Twins outfielder. Happenstance being as it is, I was trolling the internet to see if I could find the lyrics to this song, when I ran across this website. I've struck out, like Bombo did quite often, this time, but I may hit a home run later today. Garrison Keillor is in my neck of the woods tonight reading from his new book. I'll try to ask him about the song tonight. If I do hit that grand slam and get the lyrics, I'll post them here. Dave Miller

Subject: Lyr Add: BASEBALL KIDS and WOEBEGON WHIPPETS RAG^^
From: rich r
Date: 27 Jan 99 - 06:36 PM

NOthing like an extra inning thread.

Here's yet another Paxton song from the album "Suzy Is A Rocker"

THE BASEBALL KIDS (Tom Paxton)

We're the baseball kids, It's Saturday morning,
We're the baseball kids, It's Saturday morning,
We're the baseball kids, It's Saturday morning
And we're gonna play all day long.

We're gonna choose up, We're gonna choose up sides
Tell me: Who's good? Who runs and slides
We're gonna choose up, We're gonna choose up sides
And we're gonna play all day long.

We're gonna play hard, We're gonna hit that ball
It's a big yard, With an outfield wall,
We're gonna play hard, We're gonna hit that ball,
And we're gonna play all day long.

We're playing baseball, We have a baseball team
And when we sleep nights, We have a baseball dream
We're playing baseball, We have a baseball team.
And we're gonna play all day long.

And as I promised in 1998.

WOEBEGON WHIPPETS RAG (Garrison Keillor)

Well hello team, I'm on my way
I'll be in shape and ready to play
By the end of August if not in May
It's the Woebegon Whippets Rag.

When you're dressed in a nice clean uniform
And you loosen up and your arm is warm,
And you drop the ball going round the horn,
That's the Wobegon Whippets Rag.

Well here's how you do the Whippets Rag,
Ther's a high pop fly you just can't shag,
Throw it to second and miss the tag,
And over to first, take your foot off the bag.

Well sure is lonely here in right,
A long way to walk and the sun's too bright,
Sure am glad this'll be my last year
I wish somebody would send out a beer.

Here's the wind-up and here's the pitch,
There's a fly to right, son of a gun,
Can't let it drop or another man scores,
It's mine and I got it, no it's yours.

That makes the score 20 to 2
Sorry coach I had a stone in my shoe
Whe are they yelling, why do they boo?
Yeah, buddy, well same to you.

I do my best but it ain't enough
Seems like I done lost my stuff
How could a fellow concentrate
With that woman in the bleachers behind home plate.

I wonder what she's doing after the game
I wonder if anybody know her name
If I knew her name, I'd give her a call
O goodness sakes here comes the ball.

rich r

Subject: Lyr Add: DADDY PLAYED FIRST BASE (Homer & Jethro)
From: SteveF (inactive)
Date: 27 Jan 99 - 02:31 PM

Did someone ask about Casey and the girl with the strawberry curl?

Casey would waltz with the strawberry blonde
And the band played on
He'd waltz 'cross the floor with the girl he adored
And the band played on

But his brain was so loaded it nearly exploded
The poor girl would shake with alarm
He'd ne'er leave the girl with the strawberry curl
And the band played on.

Nice music hall number, but it has nothing to do with baseball. (Complete version in the database, "And the Band Played On.")

How about this one? Kinda corny, but the names are well known:


DADDY PLAYED FIRST BASE^^^
Recorded by Homer and Jethro
Tune: "Daddy Sang Bass" by Carl Perkins

[G] I remember when I was a lad
What a fine [C] baseball team we [G] had
Folks would come from miles around to see us [D7] play
We played the [G] Redsox, beat their socks off
We played the [C] Redlegs, beat their legs [G] off
We played the Astros, ... [D7] but it rained that [G] day. [P]

CHORUS: [NC] Daddy played first base, Mama played [G] second
Brother and [C] sister were the catcher and the [G] pitcher
Shortstop was a good old boy named [D7] sue
Three big, [G] home run hittin' guys
Out in the [C] outfield shaggin' [G] flies
Brothers Art and Bart and [D7] cousin Fargo, [G] too.

I remember one place so well
Stayin' at the old Baseball Hotel
Owned and operated by my uncle Fred
We all laughed when he explained
How the Baseball Hotel got it's name
The pitcher's on the table
And the catcher's under the bed. CHORUS

Out to the barnyard we would go
Learnin' how to hit and run and throw
We had cows and horses all around the place
Once we laughed until we split
When my daddy got a hit
He slid into what he thought was second base. CHORUS

-- SteveF

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Bob Schwarer
Date: 27 Jan 99 - 08:09 AM

Got my tickets to the spring training games Monday. Only about 5 weeks to go.

Bob S.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Michael Emory
Date: 27 Jan 99 - 07:37 AM

I can only vaguely describe my favorite baseball song - but it is pure creative genius. A smooth 'bossa nova voice' slowly sings only the names of famous players. As many names are Latin rooted (Italian and Hispanic), the sense is that you are hearing something very romantic; and it is! Encompassing all eras with an easy sounding passion, it also gives you a smile.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Jan 99 - 12:11 AM

I was born in Detroit and lived there during the days of Al Kaline and other moderately legendary players. Now there was a baseball team! Good old Grandma used to take me to the games when I was little. She knew the names of all the players and all their statistics, and followed the Tigers avidly until she died at the age of 85.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Will (inactive)
Date: 26 Jan 99 - 08:54 PM

Yes, but Ernie Harwell will be doing the Tiger's radio broadcasts again, so all's well in baseball. What could be finer than mowing the lawn on a warm Saturday afternoon, listening to Ernie do the broadcast. Much better than actually going to the game only to watch them strike out weakly and trot towards first on soft liners.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 26 Jan 99 - 08:23 PM

Assuming that they do not make the World Series, which they will not, the Detroit Tigers will play their last game at old Tiger Stadium in September of this year. In 2000 they move from their real old-fashioned ball park into their new pseudo old-fashioned ball park with lots of corporate boxes, no overhang above the seats, and an upper deck miles from the action. Half of the fun of going to the old park is sitting there on a pleasant summer afternoon realizing that Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, you name them, had all played on that field.

Bah humbug, a pox on corporate seats and the destruction they have caused to the democratic and egalitarian sport of baseball. And a pox on the people who bring cell phones and miniature television sets out to the ball park, and who whine for gourmet food outlets. (Why is it that foul balls never seem to bean the obnoxious man with the cell phone?) There must be a bitter song in this somewhere. I once saw a picture of President Taft attending a Senators game and while he had a good seat he was still down there with everyone else, evidently enjoying himself immensely.

I blame the Astros. Once they allowed that infernal Astroturf then there was nothing they wouldn't let into the game.

(Thinking that it might be going to waste, I actually enquired of the Tigers if they would be willing to sell their flag pole (in play) in left centre to a community group to which I belong -- we'd have put it in a local ballpark. However it was not for sale and it appears they are taking it with them to their new digs.)

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Tom Willis
Date: 26 Jan 99 - 06:30 PM

Saw a post by Gene on a song by my buddy Sterling Whipple - The Blindman inda Bleecherz - Sterling and I did write a baseball song in 82. I'll send it if anyone might want to read it. Sterling would get a kick out of his tunez bein discussed - :-)

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: rich r
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 01:58 PM

Good 'un, Frank

rich r

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Frank in the swamps
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 06:42 AM

There once was a really great pitcher from Milwaukee, his name was Mel Famey, and nobody could touch his curveball, 'till one day an astute manager noticed that every time he struck a batter out, he called for the water boy to give him a drink. The astute manager bribed the waterboy to fill the "pitcher" with beer, and soon Mel was throwing balls all over the place...he walked the opposing team to victory. It went down in history as THE BEER THAT MADE MEL FAMEY WALK US!!

Frank hic.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: rich r
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 11:15 PM

Every time this baseball thread get up for the 7th inning stretch, I think of anothe song. Here are 2 actually.

Wobegon Whippets Rag by Garrison Keillor. I have the words to this somewhere.

Lefty by Chuck Brodsky. I have only heard this once on the radio and don't have the words but it is a great song.

rich r

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: BSeed
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 11:15 PM

There was a song about a legendary double-play combination, "Tinker to Evers to Chance," probably one about the Gashouse Gang with Dizzy and Daffy Dean and others. A few years after they moved from New York to San Francisco, the Giants had a relief pitcher named Stu Miller, a third baseman named Tom Haller, and a second baseman named Hiller, and someone wrote a song about them that was used in Giants promotions, "The Miller-Hiller-Haller Halleluja Hop" or something like that. But my favorite baseball song isn't a baseball song at all, but is associated with baseball because of the best baseball movie ever made, Bang the Drum Slowly, the song, of course, "The Streets of Laredo." --seed

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 07:02 PM

Don't know, Tim. The corporation was The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, Inc. I saw it on a ticket stub once. Casey's original "Amazin's" were just that.

All the best.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 07:18 AM

Is their real name still The Metropolitans?

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 02 Nov 98 - 09:34 PM

Meet the Mets, meet the Mets.
Step right up and greet the Mets.
Bring the kiddies, bring the wife.
You're guaranteed to have the time of your life
Because the Mets are really sockin' that ball,

Knockin' those home runs over the wall.
East side, west side, all around the town
Come meet the M-E-T-S Mets of New York Town!!!

This was the original Mets team song probably from 1962. Not a work of art but the subject is not "Work of Art Baseball Songs." My wife is still struggling with the fact fact that I know this fan. She, of course, favors the Yankees.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 02 Nov 98 - 04:40 PM

I wish to inform you about I LOVE BASEBALL, my album of original baseball songs. Please read the information below and contact me if you are interested or need more information.

I remember my Grandpa, his hat in his hand the Star Spangled Banner being played by the band the roar of the crowd as the pitcher took aim When baseball was just a game

Sixteen rows up in the bleachers we sat we jumped to our feet at the crack of the bat so far away, but we didn't complain When baseball was just a game

written by Joe Manning and Steve Vozzolo Ó 1988 VOZZ-MANN Music

from: I LOVE BASEBALL, collection of brand new songs about the grand old game.

I LOVE BASEBALL has been accepted as part of the permanent collection of baseball music at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, where it is also sold and played.

"I LOVE BASEBALL pleases on the first visit and delights on repeated visits. If you yearn for baseball's past and lament what we have lost, the album does not disappoint. Vozzolo and Manning know how to get to the heart of baseball's nostalgia and dreams. And to yours."

*Quote from NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Social Policy Perspectives

I LOVE BASEBALL

THE ALBUM: A collection of brand new songs about the grand old game.

THE ARTIST: Steve Vozzolo and The Rookies.

THE PRODUCERS: L & R Productions and VOZZ-MANN Music.

THE SONGS: Fifteen original songs written by JOE MANNING and STEVE VOZZOLO plus an exciting new arrangement of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" with the original verses written in 1908. All of the original songs have been accepted as part of the permanent collection of baseball music at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. As a result, JOE and STEVE have been awarded lifetime memberships in the Hall Of Fame.

WHO IS STEVE VOZZOLO?: Steve is a veteran singer and songwriter who lives in Connecticut. He owns the Peanut Stores in Hartford. He is a member of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) as a songwriter and publisher and is also a member of the Connecticut Songwriters Association. Steve plays piano and guitar.

WHO IS JOE MANNING? Joe is a songwriter, poet, author, and photographer, who also lives in Connecticut. He is a caseworker for the Connecticut Dept. of Social Services. He is also a member of BMI as a songwriter and publisher. Joe is a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Songwriters Association and served as its president from 1984 to 1986.

WHO IS L & R PRODUCTIONS?: L & R Productions is a music studio and production company in East Hartford, CT. They have written and produced many jingles for minor league baseball teams around the country. Owners PAUL LOMBARDO and TOM RUSSO have also been awarded lifetime memberships in the Hall Of Fame for their creative efforts in the production of I LOVE BASEBALL.

WHO ARE THE ROOKIES?: PAUL, TOM, JOE, and all the musicians at L & R Productions.

SONG LIST

1. I LOVE BASEBALL 2. THEY SAY THERE'S A KID IN TEXAS 3. WHEN BASEBALL WAS JUST A GAME 4. MY MOTHER THREW MINE AWAY 5. BLACK DIAMOND DAYS 6. TRIPLE-A BLUES 7. BIG GAME TONIGHT 8. DIAMONDS ARE A BOY'S BEST FRIEND 9. BEFORE THE GIANTS MOVED TO FRISCO 10. COOPERSTOWN 11. THE PEANUT 12. BASEBALL'S SAD LEXICON 13. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME 14. THE BABE 15. SOMETIMES IT RAINS 16. CURVE BALLS

HOW TO ORDER

*I LOVE BASEBALL is available on CD and cassette. Send check or money order for $18.00 (CD) or $12.00 (cassette) to: VOZZ-MANN Music, PO Box 115, Torrington, CT 06790 Make check or money order payable to: VOZZ-MANN Music Price includes postage.

FOR RETAILERS:

Wholesale price is $10.40 for CD's and $6.50 for cassettes. Orders accepted in any amount. I will charge for shipping.

Contact: Joe Manning, VOZZ-MANN Music, PO Box 115, Torrington, CT 06790 [phone] [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: jimmy g
Date: 20 May 98 - 02:01 PM

Chicago Cubs had a song they used to play as a lead into the start of a broadcast on either TV or Radio. Started out like this. Hey Hey Holy Mackeral No Doubt about it The Cubs are on their way...... Do you know the complete lyrics.

Subject: Lyr Add: DOING MY JOB (John McCutcheon)^^^
From: rich r
Date: 25 Apr 98 - 10:08 AM

A relatively new baseball song is "Doing My Job" written by John McCutcheon and found on the CD "Doing Our Job" by McCutcheon and Tom Chapin (Rounder 0411). It was written after Cal Ripkin of the Baltimore Orioles broke Lou Gehrig's record by playing in 2131 consecutive games in September 1995. Ripkin by the way is currently around the 2500 mark. I heard somewhere that Ripkin's streak is longer than the next 14 currently active streaks combined. As with so many of McCutcheon's songs this one is about much more than baseball. A couple older baseball songs that haven't been mentioned and fall in the category of regional oddities are "Win Twins" by Minnesota native Bob Dylan and another Twins song that was described to me by a friend who collects Twins memorabilia, about Bombo Rivera. Rivera was sort of a flamboyant fan favorite whose Major League career consisted of 355 games and 831 AB spread out over 8 years. His best year was 1979 when he hit .281 in 112 games. For his career he was .265 with 10 HR, no Cal Ripkin there.

DOING MY JOB by John McCutcheon (1995 Appalsongs)

It was one for the ages, One you just had to see
So we sat on the sofa, My two kids and I
And we watched on TV, It was in the fifth inning
The game it had to be stopped
The whole ballpark went nuts
When the number was dropped
My kids they clapped and they hollered
Me, I choked up with tears
Thinking back onf the grace, He brought to that place
For over thirteen years
And as he stood in the spotlight
He looked so awkward and shy
When they asked him to say a few words on that day
This was his reply.

CH: "I'm only doing my job, Like folks everywhere
Where I come from, It's just how things are done
Doing my share, Idid not love every part
Still I don't think it odd, Give your best
And to hell with the rest, Doing my job"

She gets up every morning, Gets the kids out the door
Then it's carpool and shop, Vacuum and mop
Until they're back home at four
Then it's supper and homework until they're all tucked away
It's a kiss and goodnight, And you turn out the light
For the four thousandth day.

CH

We deliver the mail, We grow all the crops
We teach in the schools, we put out the fires
And we clerk in the shops
We enter the data, We build the bridges and roads
We show up every day, We work for our pay
We carry the loads.

CH

rich r

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: steve t
Date: 24 Apr 98 - 11:21 PM

I'll always remember my dad, a little bit drunk, singing:
Buy me some peanuts and chewing gum
I don't care if we ever come back
And thinking: that's GOTTA be wrong. But it sticks in my mind as baseball food.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Sheye
Date: 24 Apr 98 - 12:29 AM

Put me in cold, I'm ready to play today ... Look at me, I can be, CENTREFIELD...

John Foggerty

as in my usual style, I know just enough to be dangerous...

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Paul Jay
Date: 24 Apr 98 - 12:04 AM

This is an answer for Tim Jaques. OK I know its been a long time since he posted, but I havent been on in quite a while. Sometimes business gets in the way of the really important things. "LIFE IS A BALL GAME" SUNG BY SISTER WYNONA CARR on CD "Greatest Gospel Gems" Specialty Records #SPCD 7206-2 (SP2144&2145)

This is such a great song that when I heard it on the radio (we are blessed in Pittsburgh with WYEP 90.3 FM that has a variety of folk/blues/bluegrass/regge,etc. music) I stopped the car at the nearest payphone and calle the station to find out what they were playing. A very helpful clerk at Borders helped me find the cd. If you want the words I'll be glad to post them. I'm sorry the real easy program to post tunes seems to be beyond my comprehension. Cheers Paul

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Will
Date: 23 Apr 98 - 10:05 PM

Bob Bosin does a great job with that tale in "The Secret of Life According to Satchel Paige" (on Gabriola V0R 1X0).

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Jack Who is called Jack
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 03:13 AM

I bet a lot of you have heard this, but just in case.

You know the story of the two old professional baseball players? We'll as the story goes, these two old freinds that had played together in the high minor leagues were talking over a beer one day and got to wondering if there would be baseball in heaven. So they made a pact between themselves that whoever would be the first to die, would make contact from the great beyond to let the other know if there was baseball in heaven. They laugh and drink to the bargain, and never mention it again. Several years pass and one of them dies, and a week after the funeral, the surviving friend wakes up from a dream to find the ghostly figure of his dead friend sitting on the end of his bed. Frightened, he sits up and says 'Frank? Is that you?'. "Yep" says the apparition in a friendly voice. "I've come to fulfill our bargain." "Bargain?, what bargain?" replies the living friend. "Don't you remember our deal about baseball in heaven?", says the ghost. "Oh for Pete's sake" says the friend, in a kind of disbelief that the half jest had actually come to pass. "So, tell me, is there, baseball I mean?". "Well there's good news and bad news" says the ghost. The good news is that we got the best baseball in heaven you ever saw. All the greats are there, Matthewson, Wagner, Ruth, Gehrig, Smokey Joe Wood, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, everyone. And the best part is we all get to play together. We got a regular league going. Why just yesterday I went 3 for 4 against Walter Johnson. I tell you its the greatest thing I've ever seen." "Man, that's great!" says the surviving friend, "I'm so glad to hear your having fun. But what's the bad news". "Well", says the ghost, "The bad news is that you're pitchin tommorow".

Bad-ump-bump.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 21 Apr 98 - 11:16 AM

I am looking for the lyrics and guitar chords to "Willie, Mickey, and the Duke" (Talkin Baseball). Can you help?

Thanks, Scott Schmudlach

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 09 Feb 98 - 03:09 PM

Tim, The biblical baseball game song was recorded by Win Stracke (a founder of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago) on his vinyl LP SONGS OF OLD TOWN.Art

PHIDEAUX, GO CUBS GO by Steve Goodman was usedby WGN radio as the theme music for the Cubs broadcast for several years. I think they commissioned him to write it. They probably wanted to use "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" but it was too negative where Cubs were concerned. I even heard it for a few specialized sports broadcasts this year. Art

Steve's second performance of "Dying Cub Fan's..." was on Roy Leonard's radio interview show--- live (with Jethro Burns backing him on mandolin. The first time he sang it was in concert at PARK WEST in Chicago the night before.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Phideaux
Date: 09 Feb 98 - 10:59 AM

When I was a kid in Chicago, one summer we got to go to the Sox games free on Saturdays. I guess I went to 3 games: 3 cents for the streetcar one way. Someone from the parks department herded us there & then turned us loose.

This must have been 1937/38, shortly after Ruth retired. Always was a Cub fan though. Still am, although not much of a baseball fan anymore.

After moving to Wisconsin got to go to some Cub games. I recall 50 cents for bleacher seats $1.75 for reserved boxes.

Somewhere on this internet there must be an archive to dig up old box scores. I remember a 16-0 or 16-2 rout so I guess I could pin down the year and who I saw play.

I know this is a far cry from The DT but I thought I'd share some old baseball rememberances. The score cards & bubble gum pictures from that era were trashed many years ago by a house cleaning fanatic.

Bob Schwarer

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MONKEYS' BASEBALL GAME^^^
From: Will
Date: 07 Feb 98 - 10:05 PM

Here's another Tom Paxton baseball song, "The Monkeys' Baseball Game"

In E

E, B7, E
E, F#7, B7
B7, E, A, B7
A, B7, E, A, E, B7, E

Chorus:
A, E, B7
A, B7, E, A, E, B7

1. One day the telephone rang-a-lang-lang, way up in the co-co-nut tree
Mister Monkey folded up his paper, "Someone's coalling me."
"Hello, hello, who ya wanna speak to? There's no need to scream!
Some-one wants to play a game, with the monkeys' baseball team.

2. All through the treetops, beating on the cocoanuts, blam-ma-ma-lam-ma boom
Every-one get your uniform on and get to the dressing room
Fielders don't forget your gloves, somebody bring the ball
It's time for the monkeys' baseball game, when we get the telephone call.

Chorus: When the monkey's play the monkey's way, you'll be glad you came,
You never saw the equal of the monkeys' baseball game

3. Chimpanzee played left field, baboon played in right
Orangutan on the pitchers mound was a most imposing sight
But the sight you never saw before and you can bet your hat
Was the mighty roar that went up when the gorilla came to bat

Chorus

4. The other animals had their team, the pitcher was a kangaroo
First the umpire said strike one, they she said strike two
Gorilla swung his great big bat, the ball flew up in the sky.
It dropped in the beak of the pelican bird as it was flying by.

Chorus

5. Now, Mister Pelican came to earth just to see the fun
But since he landed over the wall, the umpire said home run!
Gorilla lumbered around the bases, monkeys cheered his name
Oh what fun in the jungle at the monkey's baseball game.

chorus

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 07 Feb 98 - 09:40 PM

The tune mentioned must be a version of the poem Mighty Casey. Didn't know that anyone had put it to music.

Cubs almost made it to the World Series in 1984. Lost to the San Diego Padres (how, I have no idea) who were devoured by the Detroit Tigers. Would have been a great World Series with those two fine old-time ballparks (Wrigley 1914, Tiger Stadium 1912) but I doubt if anyone would have beat the Tigers that year. BTW, did you know that Wrigley was built for another pro league -- Federal, I think, can't find my book on ballparks. Once Tiger Stadium is replaced in the next few years the only two old time parks left will be Wrigley and Fenway. (Yes, yes, Yankee Stadium but it was completely done over.) Don't get me on the subject of those damned corporate boxes.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 09:17 AM

Jut noticed a typo in the above: "No, to Stevie..." should read "Now, to Stevie...", There are others, but this is the one that matters to me! Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 09:26 PM

Steve Goodman was a grand fellow. We were all (mostly)Cub fans. When I was a kid we'd go to Wrigley Field after school. The gate were opened in the 7th inning to let folks out (nobody ever stayed to the end 'cause the Cubs never won). We'd just walk in & watch the rest of the game FREE and we would hope for an extra inning game. After the game we'd get a gunny sack from a guy and walk from left field to right field picking up trash and lifting the seats. That would get us a grandstand pass for the next game. After we were finished it was time for the players to come out at get on the bus. We'd hold autograph books up to the windows & get the signatures FREE back in the 50s...I had Duke Snider and Roy Campanella 3 times each--not to mention the entire Brooklyn team. When we finished with the visiting team we'd go to the Cubs side and get the stragglers. No hurry for the Cubs; we could ALWAYS get them. Wish I knew where those autograph books went!!! No, to Stevie! Me and my wife, Carol, were walking home one day. Carol was 8 months pregnant. A 2-seater car pulled up and it was Steve. He gave Carol a ride home and by the time I got there the coffee was brewed and the guitars were out. That was the first time he told us that he'd been diagnosed with his disease. He had just come back from the Sloan-Kettering Center & tratments. We were devastated. But the illness went into remission for the next l5 years. It always seemed like Steve was gonna beat it. And that's why it came as such a damn shock when I was on tour somewhere and heard from a motel room TV that he had died. My son, Chris, is 27 now. (He was born 2 months after Steve and me & Carol had coffee that morning.) And Carol and I were at a Cubs game WHEN SHE WENT INTO LABOR!! We walked home--over a mile. Cris was born a day later. Long labor! But as I write this I can see it like it was this morning. Yes, Chicago had a wondrous folk scene then; different now but still quite wonderful folks! Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Phideaux
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 04:49 PM

Ran across another Steve Goodman baseball song. It's titled "Go Cubs Go".

Bob Schwarer

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Barry
Date: 26 Jan 98 - 11:12 PM

I don't know ball playing, but wasn't there a Casey & a girl & a strawberry curl & a band playing. Don't know, maybe I'm in the wrong game, Micheal Murphy, steppin up to the plate?. Barry, Out In Left Field?

Subject: Lyr Add: DYING CUB FAN'S LAST REQUEST (Goodman)^^^
From: Steve in Wisconsin
Date: 26 Jan 98 - 08:31 PM

Batter up!

I was a Cub game not too long before Steve Goodman died (might have been '84). The closest I ever came to a foul ball at Wrigley was when a ball went over my head and as I turned to see who got it, I saw Steve Goodman. Biggest grin you ever saw.

Here's his "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request." Check out the web page on him sometime Click here.

Enjoy!

A DYING CUB FAN'S LAST REQUEST

[Talking blues:]
By the shores of old Lake Michigan, where the hawk wind blows so cold,
An old Cub fan lay dying in his midnight hour that tolled.
'Round his bed, his friends had all gathered. They knew his time was short,
And on his head, they put this bright blue cap from his all-time favorite sport.
He told them, "It's late and it's getting dark in here, and I know its time to go.
But before I leave the lineup, there's just one thing I'd like to know:

[Chorus, sung:]
"Do they still play the blues in Chicago when baseball season rolls around?
When the snow melts away, do the Cubbies still play in their ivy-covered burial ground?
When I was a boy, they were my pride and joy, but now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave, the land of the free, and the doormat of the National League."

[Talking blues:]
Told his friends, "You know the law of averages says, anything will happen that can.
(That's what it says.)
But the year the Cubs last won a National League pennant was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan.
The Cubs made me a criminal, sent me down a wayward path. They stole my youth from me.
(That's the truth.)
I'd forsake my teachers to go sit in the bleachers in flagrant truancy.

"And then one thing led to another. Soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope,
Football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis. But what do you expect when you raise up a young boy's hope
And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups Year after year, after year, after year,
After year, after year, after year, after year,
'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn for pigeons beneath the El track to eat?"
He said, "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field any more before my eternal rest.
So if you have your pencils and your scorecards ready, I'll read you my last request:
Give me a double-header funeral in Wrigley Field on some sunny weekend day.
(No lights).
Have the organ play the National Anthem and then a little "Na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye."
Make six bullpen pitchers carry my coffin and six groundskeepers clear my path.
Have the umpires bark me out at every base in all their holy wrath.
It's a beautiful day for a funeral. Hey, Ernie, let's play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back and conduct just one more interview.
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field. Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly.
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, and I'll be ready to die.

"Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and toss my coffin in.
Let my ashes blow in the beautiful snow from the prevailing 30-mile-an-hour southwest wind.
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu.
I will come to my final resting-place, out on Waveland Avenue."

The dying man's friends told him to cut it out. They said, "Stop it! That's an awful shame."
He whispered, "Don't cry. We'll meet by and by near the heavenly Hall of Fame."
He said, "I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now, so it's just what I'm going to do."
He said, "But you, the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs, so it's me that feels sorry for you!"

And he said, "Ahhh, play, play that lonesome losers' tune, the one I like the best."
And he closed his eyes, and slipped away. What we got is the Dying Cub fan's last request.

[Chorus, big finish, sung:]
Do they still play the blues in Chicago when baseball season rolls around?
When the snow melts away, do the Cubbies still play in their ivy covered burial ground?
When I was a boy, they were my pride and joy, but now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave, the land of the free, and the doormat of the National League.

Lineation changed a bit to emphasize the rhyme. --JoeClone, 21-May-03.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Jan 98 - 06:17 PM

Seems to me there used to be one called "Take Me Out to the Ball Game " (with verses as well as the chorus. It's in the DT.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 26 Jan 98 - 05:59 PM

Wasn't there a jazzy kind of song -- Say Hey -- after the Say Hey Kid? Plus songs about Jackie Robinson.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Sir
Date: 23 Jan 98 - 11:17 PM

Paul Simon's "Mrs. Robinson" also talks about "Where did you go, Joe DiMaggio Our nation turns it's lonley heart to you. What's that you say Mrs. Robinson? Joltin' Joe has up and gone away".

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Alex
Date: 23 Jan 98 - 09:53 PM

Paul Simon's song about the pitcher who died on the mound - I'd have to look up the title. Chris Vallillo wrote one about childhood "When You Were Micky Mantle And I Was Stan The Man".

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 22 Jan 98 - 07:27 AM

"I Love Mickey" - Teresa Brewer

I love Mickey
(Mickey who?)
You know who.
The one who drives me batty in the Spring.
Etc.

Mickey Mantle of course......Tiger

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 22 Jan 98 - 06:26 AM

There used to be a swing song called "Joltin' Joe Dimagio. I only remember the second line. The song started out:

Dum-da-dum-da-dum-da-dum
Joltin' Joe Dimagio

which had a "response" song in the same melody which started:

Who's better than his brother Joe,
Dom-e-nic Dimagio

Murray

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON^^^
From: Gene
Date: 21 Jan 98 - 07:04 PM

Tho' this song is about football, it could of just as well been about baseball.

THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON
(The Blind Man In The Bleachers)
As recorded by Kenny Starr
STERLING WHIPPLE

He's just the blind man in the bleachers, to the local home town fans
And he sits beneath the speakers, way back in the stands
And he listens to the play-by-play, he's just waiting for one name
He wants to hear his son get in the game.

But the boy's not just a hero, he's strictly second team
Tho' he runs each night for touchdowns, in his father's sweetest dreams
He's gonna he a star someday, tho' you might never tell
But the blind man in the bleachers knows he will.

And the last game of the season is a Friday night at home
No one knows the reason, but the blind man didn't come
And his boy looks kinda nervous, sometimes turns around and stares
Just as tho' he sees the old man sittin' there.

The local boys are tryin', but they slowly lose their will
Another player's down and now he's carried from the field
At halftime in the locker room, the kid goes off alone
And no one sees him talkin' on the phone.

The game's already started, when he gets back to the team
And half the crowd can hear his coach yell, "Where the hell you been?"
"Just gettin' ready for the second half," is all he'll say
"'Cause now you're gonna let me in to play."

Without another word, he turns and runs into the game
And through the silence on the field, loudspeakers call his name
It'll make the local papers, how the team came from behind
When they saw him playin' his heart out to win.

And when the game was over, the coach asked him to tell
What was it he was thinkin' of that made him play so well
"You know my dad was blind," he said, "Tonight he passed Away"
"It's the first time that my father has seen me play."

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From:
Date: 21 Jan 98 - 05:39 PM

I asked back in July about a song something like Life Is Like A Baseball Game. Jesus is the coach, the Devil is pitching, Job hits a home run, etc. I had heard it on CBC Radio. I got a reply but it was indicated that the song appeared to be copyrighted in the 1990's. The version I heard sounded much older than that.

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: LaMarca
Date: 21 Jan 98 - 05:34 PM

A West Coast songwriter whose name I can't remember (sorry) has a great one about Life According to Satchel Paige - "Don't look behind-they may be catching up to you", etc. I don't know if it's happy or sad that Steve Goodman died while it still looked like the Cubs might actually win the pennant that year, before they (inevitably) choked... Growing up in the Midwest my teenage heroes were Billy Williams, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Don Kessinger et al... We went to a Baltimore O's game several years ago, when Keith Morland(sp?) was playing for them, but he never dropped a routine fly (that game at least!)

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: hanrahan
Date: 21 Jan 98 - 03:31 PM

...A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request by Steve Goodman(who was dying of lukemia when he wrote it)... How about "You Gotta Have Heart" from Damn Yankees...Right Field as sung by Paul Stookey, it's written by someone else but I'm not sure who...Centerfield by John Fogerty...Talkin' Baseball(Willie, Mickey and the Duke) by , i think, Terry Cashman...Christine Lavin sings one with reference to Janis Ian and it sounds something like Right Field but i don't know it or what album it's on...but i'd like too...I did a radio show of just baseball songs(WSMU..North Dartmouth, MA..Morning Folk..) a few years back but can't find the playlist...i'll keep looking because it took some time to put together...

hanrahan

Subject: RE: Baseball Songs
From: Phideaux
Date: 21 Jan 98 - 11:35 AM

Steve Goodman wrote one about the last wish of a dying Cub fan. I don't have a copy of it, and I am not sure of the title.

Bob Schwarer

Subject: Lyr Add: MY FAVORITE SPRING (Tom Paxton)^^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jan 98 - 01:45 AM

The John McCutcheon thread reminded me of the great song he sang last week about the MILWAUKEE Braves. I'd kill to get the lyrics.
Somebody mentioned a baseball song by Paxton, and that inspired me to look it up. It IS a good song. The database comes up with only 10 songs when you search under "Baseball." Anybody got more good baseball songs? Here's the Paxton song:

MY FAVORITE SPRING
Tom Paxton (from the "Live For the Record" CD)

I used to play baseball, I used to love to play.
The people all said I'd be a winner someday.
We played in the sandlots and the gravel school yards.
I once had a try-out with the St. Louis Cards.

The Cardinals said, "Young 'un, we sure like your arm.
We believe you can make it. We'll send you down to the farm.
You need a little seasoning; play a little Double A.
We'll give you a chance to show how much you want to play.

Chorus:
That was my favorite Spring.
I could do anything.
Full six foot tall and lean.
I was just seventeen.
My fast ball was nothing but smoke.
My curve ball snapped and broke.
My change-up made 'em look bad.
They couldn't hit a thing I had.

I was pitching down in Houston: I was doing really well.
I was in the rotation, I was givin' em hell.
I threw a two-hitter. You ought to heard people shout.
Very next morning Korean War broke out.

On the spur of the moment - I didn't have any plan,
I went and joined the Air Force; I wound up in Japan.
I pitched for the squadron and we toured all the camps.
We didn't have any problem, we were All-Far-East Champs.

Chorus: repeat

I was throwing a no-hitter the day MacArthur got fired;
They were going down like ten-pins; I really had 'em wired.
Bottom of the seventh - throwing easy as can be
Something snapped in my shoulder - that was all she wrote for me.

So, I finished up my service and I moved back down here..
I married a fine woman and I found a new career.
We had us a young son and we watched Jimmy grow,
And the first time that he asked, I taught him everything I know.

Last Chorus:
This is my favorite Spring.
He can do anything.
Full six foot tall and lean.
He's just seventeen.
His fast ball gives 'em the shakes;
His curve ball snaps and breaks;
His change-up makes 'em look bad.
People say he takes after his dad.

-Joe Offer-