Tradition, is defined in the dictionary as; a long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people.
Tradition is why I root for the Chicago Cubs.
All of the day games they have played, the last team to play games at night. The stadium in which they play. A Mecca for Cubs fans and baseball fans. After this year it will be only Wrigley and Fenway as the last link to the dead-ball era, and the last of the parks in which legends like Ruth, Gehrig and Cobb have all graced.
One of the originals, dating back to 1876, when our country was just 100 years old! Some of the traditions that have endured me to the Cubs is the charm of Wrigley. The Ivy on the brick walls, the manual scoreboard, the welcome to Wrigley sign at the entrance. And all of these nuances have somebody in common, Bill Veeck, you know, As in Wreck.
The first eccentric owner, before George Steinbrenner and Mark Cuban there was Bill Veeck. Before games he would have a wedding at home plate, and give-a-ways before the game for the crowd, a staple for ballparks everywhere. His gimmick of signing a midget to a one game contract, giving him the number 1/8, and instructing him to just stand in the batters box, since his strike zone was smaller than the baseball itself. The post-game occurred more recently, 1979, when he had the crowd bring in their disco albums for disco demolition night, the crowd rushed the field in rage and the game was postponed, and later forfeited by the White Sox.
But, what he did for the Cubs was more constant, as part of the renovating of Wrigley in 1937 Bill Veeck had the ivy hung up in the outfield. Also in 1937 the scoreboard, and the welcome to Wrigley sign was put up in Wrigley, though the sign was originally green, and is now red.
The real estate in which Wrigley is located is special as well. Parks today are located in their own area codes, and not in a neighborhood, where people, very lucky people, surround Wrigley field.
And of course there is no mentioning Wrigley traditions without “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” another brain child of Bill Veeck who encouraged Harry Caray to sing while they were both with the White Sox. “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” is baseball in its simplest and purist form.
Last season a new tradition was added to the list, and involves more singing. As I am sure every Cubs fan knows, what the song is, or how it goes or at least the chorus. After every win the song is played on WGN and at Wrigley. For those not in the know the song is “Go Cubs Go” by Steve Goodman a local folk singer/writer. The words are as follows for those still stuck on the chorus.
Baseball season’s underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.
They’re singing …
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.
They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and the Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field.
We’re singing now …
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.
Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp your feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.
You’re singing now …
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.
Steve Goodman has another song entitled “A Dying Cubs Fans Last Request” it is also great. Look it up and check it out.
The Cubs are steeped in tradition, the worst being losing, but if the “Go Cubs Go” continues to play on the P.A. then maybe that tradition can change to.
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3 months ago
I find this song extraordinarily annoying, irritating, and a little gay. At least with Sweet Caroline you have a respected artist's music being used.
Love the Cubs, hate the song.
3 months ago
Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the song either. But if the Cubs keep winning, I'll take it.
3 months ago
It makes me what to throw up, but I hope they can't make the playoff run everyone thinks they will. Talk about bad umpiring by the way...
3 months ago
Nice mention of tradition Kane. The Cubs have so many fans across America because of the reasons you listed. As for the song, it depends on the moment. After a walk-off home run, it sounds great, but when you hear it randomly in places you shouldn't, it is kind of dumb....
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