Bob Uecker

[kujay]

I think it's silly to have other broadcasters sing the 7th inning stretch.

 

I agree, but I don't think having Uek sing the stretch is same thing as say having Mike Krukow sing the stretch. Uek transcends the booth and is a beloved personality well beyond it, particulalry to people who grew up during the 80's and feel that Major League is one of the three greatest sports movies ever made (like me).

 

Agreed. But then, I saw the boos as directed toward the Brewers, through Uecker. As we all know, the mood at Wrigley changes from "beer garden" to really intense on the rare occasion that there are meaningful late-season games. I had no problem with it.

[apete6]

I was there last night and I booed. Not so much Uecker's fault as the Cub organization. I realize that he's done it before, but there has never been a pennant race between the Cubs and the Brewers. If they wanted him to do it, have him do it in April when the games don't necessarily mean as much.

 

To expect Cubs fans to be all happy that another team's broadcaster is singing the stretch is a thing of the past. Now, we expect a winning ballclub and all of the cutesy, whatever happens happens garbage is hopefully working its way out of Cubs fandom. Going to the games just to drink and sing the stretch is hopefully on its way out. This is a sign that the expectations might finally be changing within the fans minds.

 

Just play a tape of Harry singing and let all of the d-bags like Jeremy Piven, Jeff Gordon, and Ozzy Osbourne go make fools out of themselves at Hi-Tops instead of ruining a nice break in the game.

 

For the record, I personally love Bob Uecker and find him entertaining on the few opportunities I have to hear him broadcast. Major League was great and he was a big part of it, Mr. Belvedere, however,...not so much.

[Derwood]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

[IowaCubsFan]

Why the heck is everyone making a big deal about this? So we boo'ed the opposing team's broadcaster in jest. What the hell are we supposed to do when they bring the opposing team's broadcaster in to sing "TMOTTB"? It was all in good fun. This is nothing like booing Kendall during his first game as a Cub, this is completely different. Not a big deal, not embarassing, in fact it says nothing bad about our fan base at all.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. I bet if you asked all those Cub fans who booed what they thought of Uecker, they'd tell you they think he's a great ambassador to the sport and were doing it just to give him a little ribbing.

[Abe Frohman]

Ditto on what UMFan83 said.

 

BIG FREAKING DEAL if the Cub fans booed Bob. He has done this song and dance SEVERAL times, and at least he has the courtesy to throw in the "and you do the same for the Cubs."

 

If the boos bothered him, why would he come do it again? Almost every time the Brewers are in town, right? BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FUN.

 

I get mad because I think it jinxes the Cubs, but last night it didn't seem to make any difference. Good fun, folks. Bob knows it.

[Soul]

Why the heck is everyone making a big deal about this? So we boo'ed the opposing team's broadcaster in jest. What the hell are we supposed to do when they bring the opposing team's broadcaster in to sing "TMOTTB"? It was all in good fun. This is nothing like booing Kendall during his first game as a Cub, this is completely different. Not a big deal, not embarassing, in fact it says nothing bad about our fan base at all.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. I bet if you asked all those Cub fans who booed what they thought of Uecker, they'd tell you they think he's a great ambassador to the sport and were doing it just to give him a little ribbing.

 

Yeah, I don't think it's a big deal, and though I can't speak for Ueck, I seriously doubt he cared. I seem to remember him doing the "and you all root for the Cubs!" line before, too. Fans probably just assumed he would say "Brewers" and nothing else, so they booed. But who cares, it's all in fun.

 

I'll guarantee he was pissed during the bottom of the 7th inning though. Guaran-damn-tee that one.

[UMFan83]

Why the heck is everyone making a big deal about this? So we boo'ed the opposing team's broadcaster in jest. What the hell are we supposed to do when they bring the opposing team's broadcaster in to sing "TMOTTB"? It was all in good fun. This is nothing like booing Kendall during his first game as a Cub, this is completely different. Not a big deal, not embarassing, in fact it says nothing bad about our fan base at all.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. I bet if you asked all those Cub fans who booed what they thought of Uecker, they'd tell you they think he's a great ambassador to the sport and were doing it just to give him a little ribbing.

 

Yeah, I don't think it's a big deal, and though I can't speak for Ueck, I seriously doubt he cared. I seem to remember him doing the "and you all root for the Cubs!" line before, too. Fans probably just assumed he would say "Brewers" and nothing else, so they booed. But who cares, it's all in fun.

 

I'll guarantee he was pissed during the bottom of the 7th inning though. Guaran-damn-tee that one.

 

Yeah it was funny because you could tell Len had to temper his enthusiasm on that Jacque Jones double.

[apete6]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

[NCCubFan]

I even thought it was cool when Jack Buck stopped mid-song "root root for the" ripped off his Cubs hat, threw it away and put on a Cards hat and said the Cardinals!

I don't know if they still do, but at one time the Cardinals always showed the video of Buck's performance during the 7th inning stretch of Cubs-Cardinals games.

[IowaCubsFan]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

You mean it was wrong for Vin Scully and Jack Buck to sing it as well?

[Banedon]

I think it's silly to have other broadcasters sing the 7th inning stretch.

 

I agree, but I don't think having Uek sing the stretch is same thing as say having Mike Krukow sing the stretch. Uek transcends the booth and is a beloved personality well beyond it, particulalry to people who grew up during the 80's and feel that Major League is one of the three greatest sports movies ever made (like me).

 

Don't boo Uek because he was funny in Major League?

 

Look I know he's a good guy, and he's very fun to listen to, and he's one of the great announcers in the game. But I don't care what great guy is up there...if he's singing the 7th inning stretch and shouting another teams name, he deserves what he gets. He knew what was coming, I promise you that.

 

Booing opposing teams and their representatives is a part of sports. I don't have a problem with it, and I don't think it's representative of a lack of class.

[Banedon]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

You mean it was wrong for Vin Scully and Jack Buck to sing it as well?

 

They should expect to get booed if they do.

[Derwood]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

[ConstableRabbit]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

It's tradition to say "root root root for the Cubbies," which he didn't say. In the Cubs' home ballpark. And he said the name of the team we were playing that night. With whom we were in a close division race. And he's the announcer of that team.

 

I don't see why this is hard to understand / how it's classless / why anyone cares. Uecker didn't cry himself to sleep that night for any reason other than his team blowing yet another 3-run lead.

[jersey cubs fan]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

It's tradition to say "root root root for the Cubbies," which he didn't say. In the Cubs' home ballpark. And he said the name of the team we were playing that night. With whom we were in a close division race. And he's the announcer of that team.

 

I don't see why this is hard to understand / how it's classless / why anyone cares. Uecker didn't cry himself to sleep that night for any reason other than his team blowing yet another 3-run lead.

 

Are you saying what Uecker did was classless? The "tradition" of outsiders inserting their team's name over Cubbies has lasted as long as the "tradition" of allowing outsiders to sing the stretch. Cubs fans routinely yell out root root root for the Cubbbies in road stadiums, and it typically drowns out the home crowds cheer. Is that classless?

[ConstableRabbit]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

It's tradition to say "root root root for the Cubbies," which he didn't say. In the Cubs' home ballpark. And he said the name of the team we were playing that night. With whom we were in a close division race. And he's the announcer of that team.

 

I don't see why this is hard to understand / how it's classless / why anyone cares. Uecker didn't cry himself to sleep that night for any reason other than his team blowing yet another 3-run lead.

 

Are you saying what Uecker did was classless? The "tradition" of outsiders inserting their team's name over Cubbies has lasted as long as the "tradition" of allowing outsiders to sing the stretch. Cubs fans routinely yell out root root root for the Cubbbies in road stadiums, and it typically drowns out the home crowds cheer. Is that classless?

 

Ummmm where did I say that?

[RynoRules]

I think it's silly to have other broadcasters sing the 7th inning stretch.

 

I agree, but I don't think having Uek sing the stretch is same thing as say having Mike Krukow sing the stretch. Uek transcends the booth and is a beloved personality well beyond it, particulalry to people who grew up during the 80's and feel that Major League is one of the three greatest sports movies ever made (like me).

 

Don't boo Uek because he was funny in Major League?

 

Look I know he's a good guy, and he's very fun to listen to, and he's one of the great announcers in the game. But I don't care what great guy is up there...if he's singing the 7th inning stretch and shouting another teams name, he deserves what he gets. He knew what was coming, I promise you that.

 

Booing opposing teams and their representatives is a part of sports. I don't have a problem with it, and I don't think it's representative of a lack of class.

 

I think you missed my point.

 

Uek isn't just "another team's broadcaster". He has far wider appeal than that, but you sort of lumped him in with guys whose names I don't know in FL, TB, Boston, etc. Him singing the seventh inning stretch makes more sense b/c he isn't just a broadcaster.

 

As far as the booing goes, as I posted above, I think Cubs fans are generally known for being good hosts to opposing teams' fans. Booing doesn't have to be vicious; it can be in good fun. Hopefully that was the intent here.

[jersey cubs fan]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

It's tradition to say "root root root for the Cubbies," which he didn't say. In the Cubs' home ballpark. And he said the name of the team we were playing that night. With whom we were in a close division race. And he's the announcer of that team.

 

I don't see why this is hard to understand / how it's classless / why anyone cares. Uecker didn't cry himself to sleep that night for any reason other than his team blowing yet another 3-run lead.

 

Are you saying what Uecker did was classless? The "tradition" of outsiders inserting their team's name over Cubbies has lasted as long as the "tradition" of allowing outsiders to sing the stretch. Cubs fans routinely yell out root root root for the Cubbbies in road stadiums, and it typically drowns out the home crowds cheer. Is that classless?

 

Ummmm where did I say that?

 

I asked because that bolded sentence was unclear.

[ConstableRabbit]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

It's tradition to say "root root root for the Cubbies," which he didn't say. In the Cubs' home ballpark. And he said the name of the team we were playing that night. With whom we were in a close division race. And he's the announcer of that team.

 

I don't see why this is hard to understand / how it's classless / why anyone cares. Uecker didn't cry himself to sleep that night for any reason other than his team blowing yet another 3-run lead.

 

Are you saying what Uecker did was classless? The "tradition" of outsiders inserting their team's name over Cubbies has lasted as long as the "tradition" of allowing outsiders to sing the stretch. Cubs fans routinely yell out root root root for the Cubbbies in road stadiums, and it typically drowns out the home crowds cheer. Is that classless?

 

Ummmm where did I say that?

 

I asked because that bolded sentence was unclear.

 

People were saying that the booing was classless, so I said (in response to the booing):

 

I don't see:

 

a. Why it's hard to understand [why anyone booed]

b. How [the booing] is classless

c.Why anyone cares [about the whole situation]

 

Sorry if that was unclear. I think Uecker is an amazing baseball man and a living legend, and I expected him to say "Brewers" -- there's absolutely nothing wrong with that considering who he is to the Brewers and in their organization. But for some people to get up in arms about the booing is ridiculous.

 

I'm pretty sure Bob didn't think everyone was going to cheer (and that most would boo) when he mentioned the name of the division rival we were playing that evening in a song that's supposed to cheer on the Cubs (when played at their home ballpark), and I sincerely doubt he was upset about it.

 

I'd expect Harry to get booed if he ever did it at a rival's park when they were playing us, and that he'd enjoy every minute of it.

[Outshined_One]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

Booing Jeff Gordon was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.

[seanimal]

Booing Jeff Gordon was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.

 

You and like 30 million rednecks.

[Outshined_One]

Booing Jeff Gordon was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.

 

You and like 30 million rednecks.

 

Strangely, the rednecks at Wrigley Stadium that night were rather somber.

 

Maybe because Derrek Lee helped rally the Cubs against Lidge. :D

[Derwood]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

It's tradition to say "root root root for the Cubbies," which he didn't say.

 

a) they were booing him before he sang a note

b) they were booing too loud to hear him say "and you root for the Cubs" part

[salukifudd]

Fans in the stands have limited options when singing the stretch, say nothing (hard to do), sing along (easy to do), boo the victim in the booth (easy to do when it's the Ueck). I don't feel bad for Uecker, you think he went into the booth thinking he wasn't going to get booed? He knew it was coming and I don't feel bad for laughing at it. I'm sure Uecker took it in stride, this whole thing is no big deal. What else were the fans going to do, sing along with "take me out with the Brewers"?

[apete6]

cubs fans care enough about the 7th inning stretch to boo someone? get a grip

 

You're right. People booed because they all hate Bob Uecker and think he's the devil. It had nothing to do with the fans wanting to uphold a tradition and think it's wrong for a competing team's broadcaster to sing the stretch.

 

it's only a "tradition" because the Cubs marketing department fooled most cubs fans into thinking it is. it's usually just a stop on "celebrity X's" press junket or politician's campaign trail. it doesn't honor Harry at all anymore (if it every did post-1998)

 

I agree, the "celebrity" thing is lame. Play a tape of Harry and be done with it.