Take Me Out to the Ball Game | Billy’s Sports Bar | The Dugout | Yankee Tavern | Vega Alta Sports Bar
Alright @YouTheReader,
Take Me Out to the Ball Game is a song that I’d say the vast majority of Americans know. Whether you’re a fan of baseball or not, it’s been ingrained into American culture for well over a century. It was originally written in 1908 by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, who worked for Tin Pan Alley, a New York City music publisher. Neither Norworth nor Von Tilzer had ever been to a baseball game, yet the story goes that Jack Nortworh was on a subway when he spotted an advertisement for an upcoming baseball game at the Polo Grounds. (American Songwriter)
The Polo Grounds are no longer around. It was located off the Harlem River in Manhattan and was the home to the New York Giants from 1891 to 1957 when they moved to San Francisco. The Polo Grounds were one of the original ballparks of America and it was known for having crazy outfield dimensions. The left wall was 279 feet from home plate. The right field wall was 258 feet from home plate. Dead center field was a whopping 483 feet from home plate. For context, Yankee Stadium is 318 ft and 314 ft down their lines with a center field of 408 ft.
The pre-chorus verse is not sung during 7th-inning stretches and honestly is something that I had no idea even existed. It adds another element of the tune we’ve all known since we were kids. Katie Casey (the perspective we all sing the chorus to) is a girl who is asked on a date to see a show. She replies that she would only go out with the guy if he takes her to a baseball game.
The first known recorded version of this song is sung by Edward Meeker. This was the version that the Library of Congress selected to put in the National Recording Registry.
Wowzers, Katie Casey sounds like one helluva gal! Knows all the players’ names…Check… Told the umpire to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine…Check… These were still the days when ball players could execute a nice ol’ hit & run in a tie game, maybe she suggested that or a sac bunt…Check… How can you not be romantic about baseball?
Over a century later, you can still buy peanuts & Cracker Jacks. I mean, Hal Steinbrenner might charge you $13.75 for a small box, but think about the nostalgia, Cracker Jacks have been sold in the United States since at least 1899. (Candy Favorites)
Finally on to the pints around Yankee Stadium!!
Guinness Challenge Season #1
@Kids don’t try this at home. Not just because you’re underage and will have plenty of pints to drink if that ends up being your thing when you’re older but also because Guinness is actually best served in a pint glass from a tap. A pint of Guinness varies depending on the drinking establishment. If the keg it sits in is rarely poured, it can lead to some underwhelming taste. Rather than stealing gimmicks, I’d like to start taking Notes while drinking Guinness. My grandfather from Connemara, who I never got the chance to meet, Thomas Davis, used to drink pints and by all accounts was a self-taught thinker. The one rule I’ve imposed on myself is that I will only have 1 pint per sitting from each establishment I review, so @AnyoneWorrying, don’t worry about my drinking habits. The Guinness Challenge is to “cut the G” on your first sip (more like a gulp and a half). If this is your first time hearing about it, I didn’t come up with the fun challenge @YouTheReader can try the next time you have a Guinness. The 0.0 to 10.0 scale will be extraordinarily nuanced but as a reference point, the only perfect 10.0 I plan ever to give out is at the Guinness Factory in Dublin one day.
Just a little bit of context, this was the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. It was hot as hell outside. I hadn’t been to a Yankee game yet, I had been busy writing Week to Week Notes and drinking Guinness pints. I hit up 4 bars around the Stadium, gave each bar a Week to Week Notes business card, and then made 2 laps around each of the parking lots by Gate 4 (home plate) and Gate 8 (Right Field).
Song On In The Background: Take Me Out to the Ball Game by Ed Meeker
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Natalie from the Bronx is bartending. When there are no Yankee games, Billy’s is still open just much different as it is a restaurant as well as host for private events. Nat is a Yankees fan and loves it when they win! Come to Billy’s “for the love of the game” as it reads on the wall. At one point this was a warehouse. Billy was the name of the old owner. They have 2 DJs for every game. The vodka soda is recommended, they also have good wraps and burgers.
Billy’s is a massive space that I always figured was an old warehouse or factory. It turns out it used to be called the Earl Theatre, which opened in 1936 seating 1,267 seats for a single-screen. (58 East 161st) Billy’s opened in 1998 and was transformed into the largest Sports bar, lounge, and rooftop in the Bronx in ‘12. I look forward to grabbing another pint at Billy’s again next year!
Song On In The Background: Swagga Like Us by Jay Z, TI, Kanye West, & Lil Wayne
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Tonia is the bartender. She is Bronx-born & raised and has worked at The Dugout for 15 years. They are open any time that Yankee Stadium is open, whether that be Yankee games, football bowl games, soccer matches, concerts, etc. Tonia recommends their wings and burgers. “More people come here after wins than losses.” Definitely loves when the Yanks win. The Dugout has a DJ every weekend. They have a Taco Bell window, which must be great after a nice win. Their margarita is recommended, but she also finds their green tea shot very popular as well. Sheila is the owner of The Dugout. Her favorite Yankee was Derek Jeter, #Re2pect!
Sheila took over The Dugout Bx in ‘22. She is Bronx-born and raised, moved to Rockland County for a bit, and is now settled back in the Bronx. The bar has been existing for over 20 years and is a staple in the community. The bar is massive, and they have a ton of space in the back, so it’s a great spot to check out before Yankee games. I look forward to grabbing another pint at The Dugout again soon!
Song On In The Background: Saturday in the Park by Chicago
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Exposed brick behind the bar. Phil is the bartender. Pastrami Rueben is recommended off the menu. “When you become famous we’ll host your podcast here.” Yankee Tavern does not serve Guinness so I had to make a special exception and review their Jo’ Mama’s Pint. It is a very comparable stout. They have the same Budweiser ‘09 World Series Championship piece that I have hanging up on my wall at home.
The Yankee Tavern is the original sports bar in the Bronx. Since 1927, or the year of Murderers Row, has been family-owned. This bar has seen the likes of Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and even Babe Ruth, who was known to buy a round after the game. (Leslie Hendrickson) Pretty cool, you could grab a drink where Yankee legends used to hang before going to the game. If & or when Week to Week Notes ever has a podcast, I will 1 million percent take up his offer to hang out at Yankee Tavern. Either way, I look forward to grabbing another pint at Yankee Tavern again next season!
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: The bartender was busy but the quesadillas and burgers looked good. I just went parking lot by the parking lot. 2 laps around each, giving out Week to Week Notes cards to anybody who would take them. Some very nice people wished me luck and a few even said they respected what I was doing. I probably gave out 150+ cards, a bit exhausted, and heading into the game.
Vega Alta is a Spanish Bar that will show all sporting events and of course the New York Yankees. Enjoy their buckets of beer for $20 to $25 during Happy Hour from Noon to 6 PM. I look forward to grabbing another drink at Vega Alta again next season!
A quarter of the 200 or so fans I went up to looked at me like I was nuts. Another quarter wouldn’t even look at me (must’ve assumed I was trying to sell them something, which, hey I get). A lot of people took the card and rolled their eyes. A ton of people told me the idea sounded cool and “I’ll check it out.” The net result of the 150+ cards given out was about 4 new readers. Believe me, I’m grateful that they did, and that at least the number isn’t 0. I don’t mean to come across as boohoo and I’m not looking for sympathy, but yeah doing this, going to the game, and then as I was leaving seeing a Week to Week Notes card outside Yankee Stadium stepped and spit on…
…that fucking sucked didn’t feel great…
…but was also a bit surreal and I’m glad I saw it. Again, this was 4 months ago so I’ve had plenty of time to forget about it and move on. I realize whenever you try to start something on your own, you’re bound to see a ton of failures and letdowns. That part gets easier to deal with over time. I don’t necessarily expect people to relate to the idea of going to Yankee Stadium and giving out a business card, it’s not exactly normal behavior, but hey maybe you can get a sense of what else motivates me to write Week to Week Notes.