Your Toronto Blue Jays face the New York Yankees tonight in Game 3 of the American League Division Series in the Bronx, New York.
The Jays can sweep the Bronx Bombers in the best of 5 series as Toronto leads 2 games to none.
Did you ever wonder how the Jays 7th inning stretch song came to be?
(Above: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the plate in August 2023.)
It’s been the team’s unofficial anthem for more than 40 years and was written in 1982 on the team’s 5th anniversary.
When co-writer Jack Lenz wrote the catchy tune, 43 years later, he never imagined it would still be around.
He said it was written in just a couple of hours when the Jays then executive Paul Beeston said don’t make it too over the top, as the Jays were still considered an expansion team and just an “OK team” so there, the seed was planted for the hook of the song.
It was originally recorded as a 30 second jingle and then made into a 2:25 song that was also released as a record that sold more than 50,000 copies.
(Above: Alejandro Kirk takes to bat in August 2023.)
The group of musicians were called The Bat Boys and the lead singer on vocals was Keith Hampshire.
He had a number 1 Canadian hit in 1973 with his version of “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” plus other hits like “Daytime, Night-time” and “Big Time Operator.”
Keith says he now goes to the Jays games with his grandson, and he says to his grandfather ‘Is that you, Poppa?’ when the 7th inning stretch happens at the Skydome.
(Above: George Springer is batter up in 2023.)
Let’s hope tonight for some more “Vladdy Grand Slams” and “Springer Dingers!”
Have a listen below and “OK BLUE JAYS, LET’S – PLAY – BALL!”
-Ian
(Credits: Ian Robinson photo.)
