# Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money

Baseball · Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/interesting-facts/chapter-9-fans-media-money/)

Two famous broadcasters, organists, mascots and their races, fantasy baseball, video games, superfans, fan rituals and some curious stories about money.

## 9.91 Vin Scully

The voice of the Dodgers for 67 seasons.

### Test 1: Vin Scully

- Fans still repeat the line at Dodger Stadium. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He also played in the outfield for the college team. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He mentioned the exact time before each pitch. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He retired at the end of that season. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He let the crowd's roar fill the air before he spoke. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He called the NFC championship game that day. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He said he was talking to one friend. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- The late 1940s, 1950, 1958, then 2016. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- 67 with the Dodgers, 54 with the Brewers, 42 with the Tigers. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)
- He worked for the club from 1950 to 2016. (Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Vin Scully; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Fordham University; White House, Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016)

## 9.92 Harry Caray

Holy cow and the seventh-inning song.

### Test 1: Harry Caray

- Phil Rizzuto used it in New York too. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- He had always sung along in the booth. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- He stayed there for 25 seasons. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- Skip called Braves games for decades. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- It shows him leaning out to lead the song. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- He grew up in St. Louis. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- He became a symbol of Wrigley Field. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- Holy cow often followed. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- Veeck said everyone would sing with someone who sang that badly. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)
- Guest singers took over after he died. (Source: Chicago Cubs on Harry Caray; National Baseball Hall of Fame; SABR BioProject, Harry Caray; Chicago White Sox history)

## 9.93 Organists

The music of the ballpark before the loudspeakers took over.

### Test 1: Organists

- Ray Nelson played it. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- She played at Ebbets Field from 1942 to 1957. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- She played for boxing and hockey there. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- He had played the organ for TV soap operas. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- She followed Helen Dell in the job. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- The crowd answers with a shout. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- A few clubs, such as the Cubs, still keep one. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- 1941, 1942, 1967, then 1977. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- The chant spread to other sports. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)
- She started the chant in 1977. (Source: SABR, 'The ballpark organ'; Chicago Cubs (1941); Chicago White Sox on Nancy Faust; New York Yankees on Eddie Layton; Los Angeles Dodgers on Nancy Bea Hefley)

## 9.94 Mascots

Furry, feathered and once thrown out of a game.

### Test 1: Mascots

- It is said to come from the Galápagos Islands. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- He had danced on top of the visitors' dugout. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- It went on to appear at parks across the country. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- Its museum opened in 2018. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- He was back the next season. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- Lasorda once wrestled the Phanatic on the field. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- The club takes its name from Spanish missionaries. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- 1964, 1974, 1978, then 1979. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- The game went 22 innings. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))
- He first appeared in 1964. (Source: Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana); Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians histories; SABR (Youppi!, 1989))

## 9.95 Mascot Races

Sausages, presidents and pierogies.

### Test 1: Mascot races

- It was added in the 2000s. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- He was fined and apologised. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- Fans had begged the club to let him win. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- More presidents joined later. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- The dumplings run around the warning track. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- Fans cheer for their favourite topping. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- It began at the old RFK Stadium. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- 1993, 1999, 2006, then 2012. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- The young woman inside was not badly hurt. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))
- The race takes place in the sixth inning. (Source: Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals on their mascot races; MLB.com (Randall Simon, 2003))

## 9.96 Fantasy Baseball

A restaurant lunch that changed how fans follow the game.

### Test 1: Fantasy baseball

- The game took its name from the restaurant. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- He was a magazine editor. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- Four for hitters and four for pitchers. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- It counts walks and hits per inning. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- It was play money for building a team. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- The tradition was part of the fun. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- Each player card is built from his real statistics. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- 1951, 1961, then 1980. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- Box scores came from the newspaper. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)
- Their game spread across the country. (Source: Daniel Okrent, Rotisserie League Baseball (1984); SABR on WHIP; APBA and Strat-O-Matic histories)

## 9.97 Video Games

From Atari to MLB The Show.

### Test 1: Video games

- It came out on Nintendo's console. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- Hiroshi Yamauchi had bought the Mariners in 1992. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- Its San Diego studio builds the games. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- Its players were simple blocks. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- He was 22 at the time. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- Their hands float beside their bodies. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- The console was later sold abroad as the NES. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- 1978, 1988, 1994, then 2006. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- 2006, 2021, then 2022. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))
- Players of 'Backyard Baseball' always picked him first. (Source: Nintendo, Namco and Sony histories; MLB.com on MLB The Show; Konami on Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū; Humongous Entertainment, Backyard Baseball (1997))

## 9.98 Superfans

Signs, drums, pans and a cheer spelled with the body.

### Test 1: Superfans

- He led cheers from the upper deck in the 1970s. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- He brought dozens of signs to each game. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- He goes to many sports' big events. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- Fans called him 'Ronnie Woo Woo'. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- Fans took turns hitting it for luck. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- A play was later written about them. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- Pete Rose was among those she kissed. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- 1964, 1973, the late 1970s, then the 2010s. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- 1979, 1985, then 1991. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)
- He began in 1973. (Source: Baltimore Orioles on Wild Bill Hagy; SABR (Karl Ehrhardt, Freddy Schuman, John Adams); Chicago Cubs on Ronnie Wickers; Miami Marlins on Laurence Leavy)

## 9.99 Fan Rituals

Hankies, a monkey and thrown-back home run balls.

### Test 1: Fan rituals

- Fans chant until the catcher throws it back. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- The clip came from a film. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- The shout honours the club's name. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- It was written for the club in 1983. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- The club gave them out to fans. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- Its proper name is the 'Beer Barrel Polka'. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- Grilling bratwurst is part of the day. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- 1987, 2000, then 2002. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- Some fans throw back a different ball and keep the real one. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)
- A local newspaper gave them out. (Source: Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins (Star Tribune, 1987), Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners on their fan traditions)

## 9.100 Money Curiosities

Deferred deals, a famous sale and Babe Ruth's salary.

### Test 1: Money curiosities

- July 1 is known as Bobby Bonilla Day. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- The country was in the Great Depression. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- It was a record sum at the time. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- He had come from the Angels. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- It ran for seven years. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- He gets $2 million a year while he plays. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- He bought early and kept them. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- 1920, 1979, 1998, then 2023. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- $252 million, $105 million, then about $4.5 million. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))
- Boston did not win again until 2004. (Source: SABR BioProject (Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Nolan Ryan, Kevin Brown); New York Mets on Bobby Bonilla; MLB.com on Shohei Ohtani's contract (2023))

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the National Baseball Hall of Fame, MLB and its clubs, the WBSC, SABR's BioProject, the Library of Congress, Guinness World Records, makers' and leagues' own histories and named reputable media.

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