For anyone who doesn't know, Harry Caray (1914-1998) was the often celebrated (often soused) long-time announcer for the Chicago Cubs. He popularized the modern tradition of singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch, and I was fortunate enough to experience him performing it back in the early 90's, when I visited Wrigley Field for a game on a family vacation.
Harry was amazing: by then he was a gnarled old character, blusteringly excitable in that way that some old men have, and wacky to the point of being suspected of dementia. When stretch time came around he hopped up and grabbed a mic, teetering and tottering dangerously near the open window of the upper deck broadcasting booth, and leaned his entire torso out over the crowd. In his trademark slur he cajoled us all into singing along, then warbled with manic glee, gesturing with his outstretched arms and swaying alarmingly back and forth. Normally, as an adult, singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame is as embarassing as singing Happy Birthday to You, but somehow Harry made it seem hip.
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