What to do about the stretch?

[swordsman]

I think it is becoming apparent that the current fill-in tradition of having "celebrity" guest conductors is making a mockery of the Seventh Inning stretch at Wrigley.

 

Let's brainstorm some suggestions on how to bring this back up to the standards it deserves. Once we have a few good ones, we can suggest them to cubs management.

 

Any thoughts?

[Sammy Sofa]

The most obvious answer is just let Len and Bob do it.

 

Is this over Keaton today? I was out of the room, but it didn't seem that bad. He's no singer, but I don't see what was so horrible.

 

Quite frankly, I have about a thousand other concerns that rank ahead of singing during the stretch when it comes to the Cubs. So long as someone isn't up there throwing flaming garbage down onto the crowd, I really don't care how good or bad they are.

[KenCub]

Either play a tape of Harry or just let the fans sing it by ourselves (maybe with Harry's "a-one, a-two, a-three" beforehand).

[b_wiggy_66]

I say play a tape of Harry every time

[B]

I say play a tape of Harry every time

 

I disagree. I think it should be a CD.

[DiamondMind]

Myself, this board, and most Cub fans I know all have different opinions on what not do do, but one thing we agree on is that playing a tape of Harry each day would be perfect. Im tired of the embarassing performances.

[Banedon]

I say play a tape of Harry every time

 

I disagree. I think it should be a CD.

 

Phonograph please.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think having guest conductors is fun. I know if I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me at all.

[ConstableRabbit]

I think having guest conductors is fun. I know if I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

I agree. I really wanted this from the start and it's a lot of fun. When the conductors can't sing it makes it hillarious

[circlecitycub]

Myself, this board, and most Cub fans I know all have different opinions on what not do do, but one thing we agree on is that playing a tape of Harry each day would be perfect. Im tired of the embarassing performances.

 

I would prefer a recprding of Harry. Especially on those days when the Cubs bats are sleeping they can play the occasions where he emphatically says, "let's get some runs!"

[Mephistopheles]

They should randomly get a group of five fans or so.

[Rob]

Only let former Cubs sing it. Ron doing it most of the time.

 

Exceptions made for when a guest isn't available and Ron isn't at the game... then Len and Bob can lead it.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think having guest conductors is fun. I know if I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

I agree. I really wanted this from the start and it's a lot of fun. When the conductors can't sing it makes it hillarious

 

The stretch isn't a song that needs to be sung by people who can sing. My complaint is more about those people going to the booth and ruining a half inning of the broadcast every game.

 

It's an annoying gimmick, but better than all the gimmicks you get elsewhere between innings.

[CubinNY]

Whomever sings it, iit is 100x better than God Bless America.

[cheapseats]

I think having guest conductors is fun. I know if I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

I concur.

[cheapseats]

Whomever sings it, iit is 100x better than God Bless America.

 

Yes.

[seanimal]

Da Coach. Everytime.

[Sammy Sofa]

I think having guest conductors is fun. I know if I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

I concur.

 

I totally agree. It only bugs me when they can't even bother to get the incredibly easy lyrics right, a la Jeff Gordon. Other than that, it's fun to see who they get up there. I think people are taking it too seriously and inexplicably acting like it was some kind of scared thing that only Harry could do...IMO, it's that kind of thinking that's lead to us having our only statue outside of the park of a man who's remembered more as a lovable joke than anything else. THAT, outside of this team being so bad, is what I find embarassing.

[NCCubFan]

I don't mind the guest conductor idea. What I don't like is the obligatory interview during the bottom of the 7th that distracts from calling the game. If they keep the singer but ditch the interview it would be much better.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't mind the guest conductor idea. What I don't like is the obligatory interview during the bottom of the 7th that distracts from calling the game. If they keep the singer but ditch the interview it would be much better.

 

Len and Bob are pretty good about shuffling out the people that are really stinking it up or having nothing to say except promote whatever it is they're there to shill. I like it when they get celebs who are obviously fans of the Cubs or just baseball in general and seem genuinely thrilled to be up there, and they seem to get them a lot.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I think having guest conductors is fun. I know if I'm in the minority here, but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

I concur.

 

I totally agree.

 

I like it.

[Derwood]

i hate it. it has turned into another stop on people's press junket tours to promote whatever movie/tv show/etc. they are doing.

 

in 1998, it was done as a tribute to Harry. Now it's 9 years later and the idea is beyond tired

[seanimal]

i hate it. it has turned into another stop on people's press junket tours to promote whatever movie/tv show/etc. they are doing.

 

in 1998, it was done as a tribute to Harry. Now it's 9 years later and the idea is beyond tired

 

+1

 

Someone should be installed to do it permanently. If they want people on there to promote their crap, then just have them throw out the ball and sit in the booth for an inning.

 

I vote for Len, as he is the lead singer of his band.

[Lockes Eye Scar]

i hate it. it has turned into another stop on people's press junket tours to promote whatever movie/tv show/etc. they are doing.

 

in 1998, it was done as a tribute to Harry. Now it's 9 years later and the idea is beyond tired

 

my sentiments exactly.

[Rob]

I wouldn't mind installing Bill Murray as the permanent singer, actually. Hell, I'd love to add him to the booth.