On Saturday, R&B and gospel singer Mavis Staples offered up a performance of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” at Chicago, IL’s Wrigley Field.
Mavis’ vocal performance at the Chicago Cubs‘ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates came during the traditional seventh-inning stretch. Mavis also threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game where the Cubs went on to defeat the Pirates 10-4. As JamBase notes, iconic sportscasters Harry Caray started the Chicago tradition in 1971 when he was calling games for the White Sox. The tradition changed teams and locations in 1982, when he began calling games for the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Following Caray’s death in 1998, the Cubs have recruited guest performers to sing the song during every home game. Mavis was rocking a number “80” jersey in her birthplace, an appropriate nod to the singer’s recent 80th birthday.
Watch video of Mavis Staples’ recent “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” performance from Wrigley Field below:
Mavis Staples – “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” – 7/13/2019
[Video: Nunu Zomot]
Mavis recently released her latest studio album, We Get By, which arrived on May 24th via ANTI-Records. The 11-track studio effort was co-produced by Ben Harper, who also composed each of the songs featured the album.
Head to Mavis Staples’ website for a full list of her upcoming tour dates, ticketing, and more information.
[H/T JamBase]