When people think of great tradition in sports they may think of the Green Jacket for the Masters, the Lambeau Leap in Green Bay after a touchdown, or any number of college football traditions that are out there. There's a rich history in American sports that has given way to unique traditions across the country. However, what if I told you that the greatest of all the traditions is really one giant advertisement that occurs during pitching changes at 1060 W Addison.
The year is 1978 and The Village People were in the beat lab cooking up a hot new single. Searching for upbeat, crowd pleasing inspiration as I imagine one writing a chart-topping song does, the collective Village People turned to the Young Men's Christian Association. After all, the Young Men's Christian Association, more popularly known as the YMCA, had, at the time, been primarily a home to the homeless and recreation facility to troubled youth. The Village People looked to highlight the fun activities that urban youngsters - and hell, anyone at all - could experience at the YMCA...because after all, it's fun to stay there.
While the YMCA initially came after The Village People with a lawsuit, they later expressed pride in the song as it did shed a positive light on the organization. It was a sing along banger the doubled as an advertisement telling young men (boys) that the YMCA has everything for them and it's a great place to have a good meal, shoot some hoops, clean yourself and do whatever you feeeeellll.
So how does this song come into play at Wrigley Field? And why has it become a tradition? No idea. I don't have that answer for you. But there's one thing I do know; every time this song comes on, and I mean EVERY time, it gets the people going. Whether the Cubs are up 10 runs on a beautiful, sunny summertime 1:20, or down 10 runs in the pouring rain...people are in unison, beat for beat, spelling an acronym for the name of a charity with their arms. I've never seen a single song unite a community like the YMCA does at Wrigley.
Exhibit A: It's pouring rain on a Tuesday night and after about an hour delay there are maybe 6,000 people at Wrigley as they battle the Pirates here in June. Everyone is sitting around bundled up trying to stay dry. Pitching change happens and cue the YMCA...life gets injected into the crowd. Every. Single. Time.
I truly think this song could be the answer beyond just the Friendly Confines. Oh, you're fighting over political issues? YMCA. Race relations in the US? YMCA. Got a problem with your neighbor? YMCA. Rick touched Chelsea's ass in the office? YMCA. Your Dad didn't show up for Christmas dinner? YMCA. Nothing brings people collective joy like The Village People singing their hit single.
As an aside, don't think that I am missing the fact that the Chicago Cubs organization is abusing this charitable jingle to distract the crowd from whatever bum arm coming in from the left field wall. Dempster? Chapman? Kimbrel? A blind man may think so by the sound of the crowd. But nope. Wrigley is going bananas as Brandon Hughes makes his way to the bump in the top of the 5th, and the fuckin YMCA blares.
Next time you're at Wrigley, observe this phenomenon. And remind yourself that this is just the most famous commercial of all time.
Struggling to follow along to the simple yet complex dance? Study the tutorial below so you too can enjoy The Village People at Wrigley Field!