Bet you’ve never heard of Jack Norworth but I am certain you’re familiar with the unofficial baseball anthem Take Me Out To The Ballgame?! Gentleman Jack Norworth is the songwriter of the All American favorite which is sung faithfully at every major league baseball game. Amazing to know that Norworth had never attended a major league game before penning the song which everyone now associates with going to a ballpark. Story has it that Norworth was riding a New York subway in 1908 when he was inspired by a sign that said "Baseball Today — Polo Grounds".
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Norworth is credited as co-writer of a number of Tin Pan Alley hits. He wrote the lyrics of the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in 1908, his most long lasting hit even though it wasn't until 1940 that he actually witnessed a Major League Baseball game.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game was selected by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Recording Industry Association of America as one of the 365 top songs of the 20th century. The US Postal Service honored the All American Favorite song in 2008 on its 100th anniversary with it's own postage stamp.
What a home run!
Best regards,
Reynolds
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