There are some fans who have been critical of the celebrity 7th inning stretch, a tradition that began after Harry Caray passed away and continues to this day.
I've always been supportive of it, even considering the interview is sometimes challenging. If you caught Monday night's wild ride with Erik Estrada, that's one of the reasons it's a tradition worth keeping.
He made up his own lyrics at the end of the song and then took over the show for about 10 minutes in the bottom of the 7th in what was a classic/infamous moment in Cubs broadcasting history.
I do feel bad that he will be criticized for an unfortunate use of words in regards to his crusade AGAINST child pornography on the internet. The sentence in question simply came out wrong, but I think within the context of his point, everyone knew what he meant.
Then there was the mention of a certain adult film star (probably a first in Cubs broadcasting history) along with some other jaw-dropping lines regarding some B-list colleagues from a reality show he was on a few years ago.
Sometimes the bottom of the 7th is all baseball, sometimes it's about Tammy Faye Baker and Ron Jeremy. You just never know what each game will bring.
By the way, as Bob mentioned on the air last night, Erik was GREAT with all the fans who wanted pictures and autographs. He was one of the nicest guests we've ever had on the air with us.
Len
10 Comments
AndCounting said:
I was actually listening to the radio during this clip, but the hilarious thing is that Ron Santo was almost literally dying of laughter during that segment . . . just from looking at it. There have been countless times when the TV guys have had a laugh at Ron's expense when he comes up on camera (the impressions of Ron on a fishing trip were absolutely hysterical, by the way, Len), but this was the first time I had ever heard Ron turn the tables. He couldn't even finish describing what was so funny (not a first). He just started laughing, told Pat that Erik Estrada had his back to Bob Brenly, and then he laughed for the rest of the inning.
Pat Hughes seemed slightly annoyed by the end of it. Little did you know that Ponch actually took over the television AND radio sides in one awkward swoop.
FloridaFan said:
I absolutely love the 7th inning stretch guest singers. I watch alot of games on MLB & they dont always show it which is kind of disappointing. WGN never change what you do. Len & Bob you do great work. Thank You.
legup said:
Despite Erik Estrada making up the words at the end, he should be commended for his remarks regarding law enforcement. Cops truly are unappreciated unless they are needed. We tend to forget that while we're snug in our beds at night, they are the ones protecting us -- 24, seven, 365 days of the year. While are military men and women protect us during war time, it's the men and women of law enforcement who protect us daily.
legup said:
Sorry, that should be While our...
Luv My Cubs said:
I'm ready for the guest conductors to be over. I was ready for it to be over after the first year they did it but maybe this will be it. Over the years I have questioned the organizations choice of guests and have watched the two of you attempt to have intelligent conversations with a few, i.e. Denise Richards (and a host of others). Let the guest conductors end and try a new tradition ~ the crowd accompanied by the organ.
CGT said:
Remember how it was originally suppose to be people in some way associated with the cubs or Chicago in some way? Now any L-list celebrity with something to plug is allowed to come into the booth and bore us to death.
spraytanfan said:
So David Kaplan will be invited sometime soon? Cause he has a "blog" to plug. Well, blog in the sense that he likes to cut and paste press releases and insert the words "major league sources tell me" when he actually should be saying "I just read on Wikipedia that," yeah, that kinda blog.
CGT said:
Yeah, you don't actually have to be talented at what you do, or even know what you're talking about.
FortMyersCubsFans said:
Len, I don't think you even need to make any special mention of Erik's apperance on the broadcast. He had good intentions to bring attention to a problem that parents need to be aware of with their children. He sounded to me like he was having a great night at Wrigley and was passionately talking about some of the events he's experienced that none of us ever will. Keep up the great work with the broadcasts! You have at least a couple fans down here in Fort Myers, Florida!
FuzzyMemoriesTV said:
Erik Estrada says about Ron Jeremy, "He doesn't like to flaunt it..." meaning his talent at the piano apparently. Also, it's Traci Bingham who he wanted to stick a fork into, which I think we can all relate to. (she IS annoying)
I think people should give him a break - it wasn't as bad as it's being portrayed. The Child Pron comment was his only slip-up, and we know what he meant.
I'd still like to "Ponch" him in the head, though. ;-)
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