CHICAGO — Dream job alert: the Cubs are hiring someone to play music during games at Wrigley Field.
We spotted the position on Do 312 (not job hunting at work!) and it started a newsroom discussion of our favorite music at Chicago sporting events. The stadium DJ is an important person and, according to the Cubs job posting, must not only have a deep knowledge of the game, but of current and old-timey music trends as well.
We hear Sammy Sosa was up on such trends when he would annoy his teammates with his boom box. Maybe he'll apply?
Here are some of our favorite music moments/periods in Chicago sports history. What is yours?
The Chicago Bulls: The Jock Jams Years
The Bulls were winning, Michael Jordan was being awesome and there were SO MANY JAMS. Jock jams, if you will. "Whoomp There It Is" and "We Are The Champions" are such different songs but they just made so much sense together at the time.
Also: Space Jam.
Here's a Jock Jams mega-mix, which was pretty much the playlist at 90s Bulls games. You're welcome.
Lamar Johnson Sings National Anthem, Then Hits Two Homers
Johnson, a former White Sox player and now a Mets hitting coach, was asked to sing the National Anthem in a game against the A's in 1977. He later said he was more nervous about singing than the game itself. Turns out, he nailed both. He said it was his best day ever as a ball player.
A Classy Penalty
Blackhawks organist Frank Pellico plays Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" when the Hawks get a penalty and our City Hall reporter Ted Cox - who knows A LOT about music in sports - loves it.
Every Song Tells a Story
Cox also said that White Sox organist Nancy Faust is known for playing tunes inspired by what was going on in the game at Sox Park. "My favorite was when Howard Johnson broke up a no-hitter and she played 'Heartbreak Hotel,'" he said. Word is that she played "Crazy" for Carlos Zambrano during a game as well.
Disco Demolition
If you grew up in Chicago and have a dad, chances are you heard the story of Steve Dahl's Disco Demolition. Though Comiskey Park only held 59,000 people, about 100,000 Chicago dads claim they were there for the Sox-Tigers double header that also included the destruction of disco records (and the ballfield in the process). Some have called the burning of disco records homophobic and racist, but we prefer to think that some people just can't handle how awesome Donna Summer and the Bee Gees are.
Eddie Vedder's Cubs Love Song
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder loves the Cubs so much that he vowed to take care of his health so he lives long enough to see them win a World Series. Pearl Jam also played until 2 a.m. during their 2013 Wrigley Field show (which Lakeview neighbors were not thrilled about). His song about the team is a tearjerker:
The 90s Bulls Intro Animation/Song
Computer animation has come a long way. But the Alan Parsons Project song still gives us the chills.
White Snake Song Ruins Sox DJ's Life
You thought only your life was ruined when drunk guys fist pump to White Snake at bars, but apparently the band's 1982 hit "Here I Go Again" ruined a former White Sox DJs life as well. In 2002, DJ Joe Stephen played the song as the Cleveland Indians were taking batting practice before playing the Sox. Chuck Finley, the Indians pitcher, and Tawny Kitaen, an actress known for the White Snake music video, had recently filed for divorce and Stephen was apparently trying to throw the Indians "off their game." They did lose, but so did Stephen: he got fired and Sox GM Kenny Williams called the whole thing "classless." We like to keep it classy at Sox Park always.
Jermaine Dye's Song Selection
We love that the Sox can pick their own at-bat music. Dye's picks of Jay-Z, Webbie and Kanye were the best. Especially when everyone else seemed to pick Metallica or Nickelback.
Also, this:
Eddie Vedder, Chris Chelios, And Kerry Wood Do Karaoke in Lincoln Park
This did not happen during a game but it's just the best:
HEYYYYY BULLS
Our Downtown reporter Dave Matthews wanted to share this. You can hate-tweet him when it's stuck in your head here.
And last, but certainly not least...
Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle - 1985 from ASU Alumni Association on Vimeo.
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