Posted by chicagomedia.org on August 04, 2009 at 09:59:22:
WRIGLEY INSIDER INFO
Take Me Out to the Ballgame...with Garry Meier!
On July 28th, WGN Radio afternoon host Garry Meier sang the 7th Inning Stretch at Wrigley Field. Ever wonder what it's like on the other side of the mic? Garry gives The Voice an insider's look at this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Singing the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley is something I wish everyone could experience. It is quite a rush.
The Wrigley personnel who guide you through the whole process are great. You get great seats to watch the game and then they tell you that they will come and get you at the bottom of the 5th to go up to the broadcast booths. Time seems to go backwards from the first inning to the 5th as you wait to sing. All during that time I would go through the lyrics in my head. It's take me out "with" the crowd not "to" the crowd. It's I don't care if I "never" get back, not "ever" get back.
When you first go upstairs you visit with the organist Gary Pressy to go over the song. He's a very nice guy so you feel like he's got your back no matter what. Then you move to the booth with Pat and Ron. They couldn't have been nicer, but the half inning on the air with them went very quickly and I was moved to the TV booth with Len and Bob. It seemed like I just sat down with them when the TV lights go on and the microphone is handed to you and you ARE ON. As soon as they announced my name I looked out to this sea of people in the Friendly Confines and didn't hear any boos so I thought, “Okay, that's one hurdle crossed.” I started with "Wrigley, let me hear you!!" with as much SpongeBob tone as I can thrust out and then it's "ONE, TWO, THREE" and you, my friend, are off to the races. I decided to cover my bases by throwing ShamWows out into the crowd at the end. You can never go wrong treating people to ShamWows!
After that you sit down with Len and Bob for a chat as they call the game which was very cool. They were very welcoming and didn't seem to mind when I gave the score and inning of the game, my play by play moment! And before you know it you're back in you regular seats going "what just happened?" The adrenaline rush lasts for hours if not days. Wow, that was fun!
Hear Garry Meier weekdays from 1-4pm on Chicago's WGN Radio 720. You never know when he might give away a ShamWow.