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Sheet Music collection

 Collection
Identifier: BA MSS 289

Scope and Contents

This is a collection of sheet music, sheet music covers, and songbooks, dated between 1867 and 2008. Series I has sheet music relating to teams, players, and baseball in general. Titles include "The Red Stockings, 1869", "The Umpire, 1906" a musical comedy, music by Joseph E. Howard and lyrics by Will M. Hough and Frank R. Adams. Also included is Connie Mack Swing "Golden Jubilee Song", by Dick Armstrong in 1950. There are songs about Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, George Brett, and Mickey Mantle. Series II has songbooks dated between 1938 abd 1997. This series includes the lyrics and music to "Damn Yankees", of 1955. "Casey at the Bat - a baseball cantata", dated 1954, which has 20 songs. One songbook that relates to the New York Mets, "New York Mets Sing Along Baseball Songs", 1966. Series III are covers only, but full sheet music may be in Series I. Series IV has oversize items.

Dates

  • 1867-2008

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions but viewing materials does require an appointment. Please contact the Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330.

Conditions Governing Use

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum provides use copies of materials to facilitate private study, scholarship, and research. The Museum welcomes you to use materials in our collections that are in the public domain and to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law and with proper citation. Permission to publish materials must be obtained from: Giamatti Research Center, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326 Phone: 607.547.0330 E-mail: research@baseballhall.org

Biographical / Historical

The majority of baseball sheet music published in the 19th century featured wordless polkas, march and two step songs. Many teams also had their own songs back in the day including the "Red Stockings March" published in 1869, and "the New York Giants March" in 1907. A song about scoring runs, the 1877 Polka "Tally One For Me" was one of the earlier songs with lyrics, written and composed by John T Rutledge. A song written in 1908 by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, "Take Me out to the Ball Game" became the official anthem of baseball. It is the third-most frequently heard song in America, behind the national anthem and Happy Birthday. During the first World War, baseball rallied Americans together to support the war effort. Harry Von Tilzer created his “Batter Up—Uncle Sam is at the Plate” for these patriotic shows. Billed as “the great baseball war song,” it was frequently performed. After the war Babe Ruth became the subject of song and music. One of the earliest, billed as "the Home run song hit of the season," published in 1919 was "Batterin' Babe look at him now." Other 'Ruthian songs' included; "Oh you Babe Ruth!" published in 1920, "Babe Ruth" in 1921, another with the same title in 1922, and "Babe Ruth Blues" in 1923. "I Can't Get to First Base with You" by Mrs. Lou Gehrig and Fred Fisher was published in 1935. “Meet the Mets” is the fight song of the New York Mets of Major League Baseball and appeared in 1962 when National League baseball returned to New York City. The song was written by Ruth Roberts and Bill Katz. In 1985, John Fogerty recorded a song that seems to be played at every minor league park in the country and called it “Centerfield”.

Extent

9.44 Linear Feet (in 6 flat boxes)

2.7 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A collection of sheet music, sheet music covers, and songbooks relating to baseball teams, players, and games in general, dated between 1867 and 2008.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into four series. Series I Sheet Music, Series II Songbooks, Series III Sheet Music Covers, Series IV Oversize Items.

Physical Location

Manuscript Archives, Aisle 20, Range a, Shelf 3

Appraisal

No materials were removed during accessioning or processing.

Related Materials

Frank and Peggy Steele Sheet Music collection, BA MSS 003, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Processing Information

Items were placed in archival sleeves and placed in flat boxes.

Title
Guide to the Sheet Music collection
Status
Completed
Author
Jack Rutkowski, volunteer, reviewed and edited by Claudette Scrafford, Manuscript Archivist
Date
October 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archives Repository

Contact:
25 Main St.
Cooperstown NEW YORK 13326 USA