Dick Heller: Anthem anniversary

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By Dick Heller

Tin Pan Alley songwriter Jack Norworth was riding a New York City subway one day in the spring of 1908 when he spotted a sign reading "Ball game Today at the Polo Grounds."

Immediately inspired, Norworth grabbed a piece of scrap paper and began scribbling the first verse of a song for his wife, vaudeville actress Nora Bayes:

Katie Casey was baseball mad/Had the fever and had it bad.

Just to root for the home town crew/Every sou Katie blew.

On a Saturday, her young beau/Called to see if she'd like to go.

To see a show, but Miss Kate said, "No.

"I'll tell you what you can do."

A century later, that verse has been mercifully forgotten, but the chorus of Norworth's little ditty endures as the third-most frequently played song in the United States behind "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Happy Birthday." It is, of course ...

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.