Mark,  your site is a goldmine of information for an exhibit I am working on here at the rock and roll hall of fame on the connection between popular music and baseball. I have a question for you --  in my research I found a reference to a version of "take me out to the ball game," recorded by Billy Murray.  my source said that his recording of the song was the biggest selling cylinder of the year -- is this true? is it listed on your database?  please let me know, and I appreciate your help!
Meredith E. Rutledge
Assistant Curator
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Billy Murray recorded five songs that included baseball references.  They were:
Artist                                                    Recording                                      Label                                 Notes
Murray, Bill's Trio                                 We're the Sunday Drivers            Victor  20517  1927          Ref: Baseball game and baseball tickets 
Murray, Billy                                         In the Old Town Hall                    Victor  18810  1921          Reference: Babe Ruth 
Murray, Billy                                         It's Great at a Baseball Game      Zonophone  493  1906      9" record 
Murray, Billy & his Chorus                   Summer Days                                Edison  ?  1911                 Amberol Cylinder Re: Christy Mathewson 
Murray, Billy & Merry Melody Men       If I'm Wrong, Sue Me                     Edison  52611  1929        Diamond Disc Ref: Speeding vs BB tickets 

The version of Take Me Out to the Ball Game that you are mentioning is probably this one:
Artist                       Recording                                   Label  Number     Date   Notes  #
Hayden Quartet      Take Me Out to the Ball Game  Victor  5570          1908   10" Single side expo prize label 

While Billy Murray frequently sang with the Haydn Quartet, it is generally accepted that he did NOT record with them during this session.  Murray's voice is distinctive and doesn't appear to be present.  The Haydn Quartet release was the first recording of Take Me Out to the Ball Game that was available to the public for purchase, making its debut in September or October of 1908.  One other interesting note is that the flat disc version was released prior to any versions that were released on cylinder.  It's commonly assumed that cylinders are older. In fact the first cylinder version was not released until later.  As to whether the release was the biggest of the year, I can't attest to that. It was however widely popular, sold thousands of copies and was ONE of the most popular songs of the year, spending more weeks at "#1" than any other release.

Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" by Robert Thompson, Tim Wiles, Andy Strasberg

BaseballRecordings.com played a large role in the pre-publication research for this book, providing a complete 78rpm and cylinder discography to Strasberg and  Thompson for publication.  There are several pages in the book specifically highlighting the BaseballRecordings.com collection.  In addition, several of the photos were provided by the website.  If you have any interest at all in the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" then by all means pick up a copy.  It's available from all major booksellers and online from any bookstore source.

Working with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Over the last few months it has been a privilege working with the research gang from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.  Their ability (and willingness) to help with research has been a great help.  Most recently they have  helped dig up background information on the history of the 78rpm "Who's On First" recordings that exist with a label bearing the notation "Presented to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum".   This research can be located by viewing the COMEDY page and clicking the "Who's On First" label. 

Hello, I am writing you in regard of the baseball special that aired on WEVL 89.9FM last year. As you can tell from the playlist, your website was quite a valuable resource. It was a lot of fun putting the show together, and I hope to record another similar show for the opening of the `09 baseball season.  Again, thank you for your wonderful website! To call it a treasure would be an understatement.
Sincerely,
Hayden Jackson

FYI… Hayden is currently working on his 2009 opening day show with help from Baseballrecordings.com! 

Hello Mark: Do you know where I can listen to a copy of "The Fightin' Phils," or find the lyrics?  I'm writing a book on the Phillies, titled "Ryan Howard: King of Swing." I will send you a copy--it should be out in a few weeks. I'm using the Fightin' lyrics in the last chapter, as it fits in well with the books humorous nature. Thanks.   Bob Merz
Here are the lyrics:
It's the Fight, Fight, Fightin' Phils, They're a tough, tough team to beat.
They're out to win, win every day,  Every victory is sweet.
Watch them hit that ball of ours, Play a game that's packed with thrills.
Tell Pa to bring your mother, sister, and your brother out to see the Fighting Phils.
The Fight , Fight, Fightin' Phils.
Mr. Merz's book has now been released and I would like to recommend it to you.  It's lighthearted, fun and entertaining for fans of all ages. 

I love your page.  It is full of unexpected delights.  As a historian it would be great to have the dates for each recording listed.  I am particularly interested in the date for the Babe Ruth insurance recording. Do you know when it was done? I want to play it in (and maybe some other items on your wonderful website) in my History of Baseball Class this semester.  By the way, Babe actually had some experience in this area.  His manager Christy Walsh put some of Babe's earnings into annuities.  When the market crashed, these funds remained.  They would become the basis for much of Babe's income in his post-baseball years.
JULES TYGIEL--PROFESSOR OF HISTORY--SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

I have been unable to confirm dates for the Babe Ruth Insurance recording. Michael Corenthal, who wrote the book "Baseball On Record" (MJC Publications, 1998) is usually accurate about dates in his research, and he has dated the record to 1930, however I don't know the basis for his attribution.
Any feedback regarding the recordings that you receive from your students would also be appreciated.

Hi Mark,  We just came across your website and think it's fantastic!  Our project, The Baseball Music Project, produces a series of multimedia concerts with  orchestras throughout the country. Dave Winfield, Hall of Famer, serves as the host and narrator (our website is www.baseballmusicproject.com). The problem I had when doing research for the Baseball Music Project was that we couldn't find these recordings...we knew they were out there, but the Hall of Fame didn't have them and neither did The Library of Congress.  We had researched and found a ton of sheet music, but little in the way of early recordings. We've got a great team of arrangers who can transcribe from the recordings.
I have been aware of baseballmusicproject.com for a while. I ran across it while doing research for some recordings on the website. I have enjoyed the podcast as well. I personally think it would be great if some of the music on baseballrecordings.com were arranged and re-introduced to some modern ears. Many, if not most, of the recordings on the website are rare and probably have not been performed live in decades. A couple of suggestions for arrangements would be "Baseball Baseball" by Jane Morgan. It's catchy, upbeat and funny. "Fascinating Base-Ball Slide" by Elsie Janis is from the early days of the 20th century and is a fun song as well. "That Baseball Rag" by Arthur Collins is another one I would look into. It's another early-century effort. They are all on the website.

Hi Mark - Wanted to introduce myself to you and also ask a couple of questions.  I wrote The Greatest Ballpark Ever: Ebbets Field and the Story of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Rivergate/Rutgers University Press, 2005), which has enjoyed some good reviews on both Amazon and in the press. I'm in the process of putting together a website for the book with some assistance, something that I should have done over a year ago.  Anyway, I was interested in using both "Follow the Dodgers" and a version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on the site when people access it.   Who do I contact about permissions? - Thanks, Bob McGee
I would encourage you to check it out through ASCAP and BMI (ASCAP has a directory on its website that you can use)  I have successfully queried several copyright holders in the process of building of my website and I have had no resistance to the use of most songs, as long as I am not compiling them and distributing them as CD's, and as long as the site is free and displays no ads.  Best of luck with your book. I look forward to picking up a copy now that I have talked to the author !

Hi, this looks like a great site!
My father (a diehard NY Giants fan) remembers a song that goes like this: "We're calling all fans, all you Giant ball fans…going places, 'round those bases…Cheer for your favorites, down at Coogan's bluff, you'll see those Polo Grounders do their stuff"
Do you have such a recording?
Janet L.
Janet, I am actually unaware of this song.  Hopefully one of the frequent visitors to our site can help us out.     
...and within 48 hours, the following message appeared in the email box!
Mark ; Whenever the NY Giants baseball team won a game at the polo grounds they played one song as the fans were filing out of the park. Do you know what that song was?   Many Thanks--Ray in NY
Sometime after 1946, the Giants began playing the following song as the  fans exited the stadium following a Giants win.   It was supposedly  composed by Horace Stoneham, who was a Giants Owner at that time.  I don't  know what they played before 1946 or when the Giants lost.   As far as I know, there was not a public release of this song, so I don't  know of any recordings available.   
The lyrics are as follows: Giant Victory March
We're calling all you fans-- all you giant ball fans
come watch the home team-- going places round those bases
cheer for your favorites - out at Coogan's bluff
come watch the polo grounders  do their stuff.
THANKS TO RAY in NY.    DOES ANYONE HAVE AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS SONG????