Celebrating 100 years with 'Battle of the Bands'

ESPN.com

Updated: June 15, 2008

 • Drehs: Thanks to Caray, Chicago
 • Guest conductors at Wrigley Field
 • Chat: Punch Bros.' Chris Thile Insider
 • Chat: Ozomatli's Justin Poree Insider
 • Chat: Gretchen Wilson Insider
Baseball fans remember 1908 as the year the Chicago Cubs last won the World Series. But it was also memorable for another reason: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was born.

To commemorate the 100-year anniversary of baseball's most famous tune, "Baseball Tonight" had nine popular musical artists record a rendition of the song. Each version debuted on "Baseball Tonight" and then was posted below.

SportsNation cut the list from nine down to a top three. The top three vote-getters, were Gretchen Wilson, Ozomatli and Punch Brothers. On Sunday, the winner was revealead, with SportsNation selecting … Gretchen Wilson.

THE THREE FINALISTS

Ozomatli
www.ozomatli.com
Posted June 23


Punch Brothers
www.punchbrothers.com
Posted June 18


Gretchen Wilson
www.gretchenwilson.com
Posted June 22



REST OF THE VIDEOS

REO Speedwagon
http://www.speedwagon.com
Posted June 29


Candlebox
www.candleboxrocks.com
Posted June 28


Branford Marsalis
www.branfordmarsalis.com
Posted June 25


The Cab
www.myspace.com/thecab
Posted June 21


Lloyd
www.myspace.com/lloyd
Posted June 20


John Pizzarelli
www.johnpizzarelli.com
Posted June 16


Peter Gammons
Posted June 15

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HAPPY 100TH!


"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was written and composed by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer respectively, and the chorus is now sung at every major league ballpark.

But the song has become most closely associated with the late Harry Caray (see video above), the former White Sox and Cubs broadcaster who led Chicago fans in singing the song from the 1970s until 1997.

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

YOU DECIDE

MIKE AND MIKE SING IT