ABSTRACT
The perennial hit, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was recorded first by the Hayden Quartet (Victor 5510; 1908), and Edward Meeker (Edison #9926; 1908). “Casey at the Bat” first appeared in 1906 (Victor 31559), read by William De Wolf Hopper-it remained in the catalog until the late 1920s. “Cubs on Parade” seems to have been the first song with the name of a specific team (Zonophone #1099; 1908). Babe Ruth was the first player to be honored by a phonograph record, and to speak on it: “Babe Ruth’s Home Run Story” (Perfect 022443; 1920). But the most catchy of the player tunes was “Joltin’Joe DiMaggio” (recorded by Les Brown on Okeh 6377; 1941).
