A one, two, three ... The greatest baseball songs

By Todd Martens
Assistant Diversions Editor

---

Here are the 10 greatest baseball songs in human history (or something to that effect):

10. "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" (Steve Goodman)
This song captures the hopeless romanticism of what it takes to be a Cubs fan.
9. "Heart"
This famous song from the musical "Damn Yankees" comes from the manager of the hapless Washington Senators trying to inspire the troops.
8. "Softball, Softball" (from The Simpsons)
This song is from the episode where Mr. Burns loads up his company softball team with professional baseball players.
7. "Baseball, Baseball" (Jane Morgan and George Barnes)
The song "Softball, Softball" was based on. It is a very innocuous ode to the game.
6. "Let's Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" (Phil Foster and Rey Ross)
A slow, lamenting plea from a Brooklyn Dodgers fan as he's watching his team move across the country.
5. "Centerfield" (John Fogerty)
A great rock Œn' roll song that captures every baseball fan's dream: wearing the pinstripes and sensing exhilaration after hitting a home run.
4. "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio" (Les Brown and His Orchestra)
The Yankees have been immortalized in dozens of baseball songs, but this swinging tune is the only one that contains the lyric, He's just a man and not a freak, describing the hall of famer.
3. "Willy, Mickey and the Duke (Talkin' Baseball)" (Terry Cashman)
Cashman's song is like a conversation between father and son between innings.
2. "It's A Beautiful Day for a Ball Game" (The Harry Simeone Songsters)
"Batter up!" Its play-by-play of a strike-out is irresistibly catchy, giving the song a distinctive stamp that lets it rise above its simplistic melody.
1. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
A classic; as important to the game as a hot dogs and inept umpires.