Denise Richards Latest Illustration of Why Wrigley Tradition Needs to Go

For those who don't know, ever since the passing of beloved broadcaster Harry Caray, the Cubs have had a "guest conductor" sing the seventh-inning stretch for every home game. At first, it was a great way of honoring the man many of us grew up with. Now, it's totally played and you can argue it tarnishes the memory of Harry more than glorifying it. Witness the latest embarrassment below: Denise Richards trying to sing in Wrigley Field (Friday afternoon).

I had the pleasure of being in Wrigley for this masterpiece. Everyone was laughing at Denise. I can't understand how that's honoring the memory of Caray.

I know it's not happening anytime soon, but the Cubs' officials keeping this charade going really need to change things. It is now Year 12 of the guest conductors, and many of them are either really obscure or former stars still barely clinging to the spotlight. The truly big stars came out in 1998, and it was a special thing to honor Harry Caray like that. Now, it's a farce. As we just witnessed with Denise, when people absolutely butcher the song or don't know the words (see the Osbournes), it's kind of disrespectful to Harry -- who used to sing the stretch for every home game.

The best way to honor Harry Caray, in addition to having a restaurant kitty-corner from Wrigley and a statue outside the right field entrance, is to either have a tape recording of him singing it or just have Ron Santo sing it every game he's up for it. I'd even be on board with having celebrity Cubs fans (like Jeff Garlin) sing in a select few games -- like once a homestand or only on Saturday afternoons, for example.

As things stand, there is no reason to continue running out the Denise Richardses of the world to butcher the song our beloved Caray used to sing. It's disgraceful.

Denise Richards Snapshots

Jewel, Nancy O'Dell and Denise Richards attend afternoon tea in honor of Nancy O'Dell's new book "Full Of Life" presented by Neutrogena & Cookie at the Hotel Bel-Air wine terrace on April 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. Afternoon Tea In Honor Of Nancy O'Dell's "Full Of Life" Hotel Bel-Air - Wine Terrace Los Angeles, CA United States April 17, 2009 Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com To license this image (57205567), contact WireImage.com

Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com

Denise Richards attends afternoon tea in honor of Nancy O'Dell's new book "Full Of Life" presented by Neutrogena & Cookie at the Hotel Bel-Air wine terrace on April 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. Afternoon Tea In Honor Of Nancy O'Dell's "Full Of Life" Hotel Bel-Air - Wine Terrace Los Angeles, CA United States April 17, 2009 Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com To license this image (57205475), contact WireImage.com

Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com

Shaun Robsinson, Nancy O'Dell, Alison Sweeney, Lisa Rinna, Denise Richards and Jewel attend afternoon tea in honor of Nancy O'Dell's new book "Full Of Life" presented by Neutrogena & Cookie at the Hotel Bel-Air wine terrace on April 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. Afternoon Tea In Honor Of Nancy O'Dell's "Full Of Life" Hotel Bel-Air - Wine Terrace Los Angeles, CA United States April 17, 2009 Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com To license this image (57205669), contact WireImage.com

Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com

Nancy O'Dell, Lisa Rinna and Denise Richards attend afternoon tea in honor of Nancy O'Dell's new book "Full Of Life" presented by Neutrogena & Cookie at the Hotel Bel-Air wine terrace on April 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. Afternoon Tea In Honor Of Nancy O'Dell's "Full Of Life" Hotel Bel-Air - Wine Terrace Los Angeles, CA United States April 17, 2009 Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com To license this image (57205677), contact WireImage.com

Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.com

Denise Richards sighting on March 10, 2009 in West Hollywood, California. Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - March 10, 2009 Los Angeles, CA United States March 10, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com To license this image (56949046), contact WireImage.com

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

5-04-2009 @ 2:34AM

bakatron said...

thats the most painful thing a person can experience on a monday morning. thanks guys.

5-04-2009 @ 10:56PM

Reelfan said...

WOW, I have heard allot worse than that, at least she was better to look at than Murray. You know, my parents always said if you don't like what you see then don't look.

Don't listen! Its is a tradition now, next you would have us stop the national anthem because of an ugly singer. I hope you have the courage to post this reply for all to see.

5-04-2009 @ 12:20PM

lac7181 said...

A lot, is two words Reelfan.

5-04-2009 @ 2:07PM

ALioness13 said...

This is irrefutable proof that not all traditions should be preserved.

What is her talent? Only that she was the unsuccessful wife of someone who has talent and a career? Seriously, I do not know. I have never seen her in a movie, on tv, read anything written by her, and she certainly cannot be a professional singer. Did she get paid just for her appearance? If so, there are also more attractive women.

5-04-2009 @ 6:49AM

Kevin said...

Ouch! She's a lot prettier than Harry was, though.

5-04-2009 @ 6:52AM

card5662 said...

that is embarrasing

5-04-2009 @ 6:58AM

laurajan11 said...

Are You Kidding? She was fine. It's a stadium of baseball fans singing a song. No one was laughing, like the writer suggested, she didn't miss the words and she looked like she was having fun. Find something else to be mad about.

5-04-2009 @ 7:06AM

Really. If you need to be mad about something, let's go find the story about traitorous Hanoi Jane and rag on her commie-loving butt!

5-04-2009 @ 12:16PM

Kevin, you do know that we aren't in the 70's anymore, right?

5-04-2009 @ 7:02AM

kbqueens said...

Is it a tradition or a habit. Traditions are something we enjoy and honor. A habit is something we do because we think we should or just simply can't stop. I think this is a habit!!!

5-04-2009 @ 7:09AM

Fred Schneider said...

I watched portions of it on ESPN. This rendition was no where near as bad as Carl Lewis' attempt at singing the National Anthem that had one of the Sportscenter guys nearly rolling on the floor.

5-04-2009 @ 7:14AM

machadobrad said...

Anybody heard Mike Ditka, Jeff Gordon or Ozzy Osbourne sing? At leadt Denise is hottt.

5-04-2009 @ 7:15AM

* least

5-04-2009 @ 7:20AM

Tommy said...

The story said an "actress" ruined the Wrigley tradition, but trust me, Denise Richards is no actress.

5-04-2009 @ 7:23AM

Wack Job! said...

I'm a season ticket holder. I was there and it wasn't that bad. Nobody has the expectation that the 7th inning stretch is always going to be sung by a professional singer. Case in point...Harry Carey himself. Not exactly a top 40 performer. It's about getting EVERYONE on their feet to sing at the top of your lungs and having a great time. It's actually better when the guest can't sing...it makes everyone smile and laugh (ie Ditka, Ozzie) WITH them NOT AT THEM. And anyone who is a die hard Cubs fan would know that Harry would LOVE having Denise Richards in the booth..."pretty little lady"...So back off...Harry wanted everyone to get away from their troubles. That's what going to a "game" is all about!

5-04-2009 @ 7:35AM

roadrebel116 said...

i've heard worse and seen alot worse. Ozzy? now that was a shame

5-04-2009 @ 7:42AM

Mark said...

"Take me out to the Ballgame" was "butchered"? And that's a national tragedy because...? Maybe if the deadbeat spectators had sung along, instead of make foolish faces, she wouldn't have been heard so well.

5-04-2009 @ 7:46AM

Dee said...

She knew the words! Off key I can handle, but not knowing the words is unforgivable.Obviously the writer has not attended very many Cubs games. The stretch is part of the whole Wrigley experience, regardless of who the guest conductor is or how well they can sing.I hope they never let it die!

5-04-2009 @ 7:49AM

Da Gimp said...

It wasn't as bad as some of the other idiots I've seen sing that song over the years. It's just comical, that the train wreck that is Denise Richards keeps putting herself in these positions. You're NOT a singer! You're barely an actress!. As long as she doesn't attempt the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, we're safe...

5-04-2009 @ 7:59AM

nonny2t said...

I have been a Cubs fan since I was old enough to remember. It doesn't matter that they stink, it matters that it is a part of tradition that needs to be carried on as we the fans LOVE it like we do "Go Cubs, Go!" There have been worse, take the brain dead Ozzie Ozbourne who was clueless or the many other tone deaf singers. We don't care if they are bad, she wasn't there singing the national anthem and defiling it we just like the singing of our "seventh inning stretch." She has no voice and she had to have the words, which was a bit lame, but get off her back. It isn't an easy thing to do with everyone turned around looking up at you! Peter Cetera is a singer and I thought stunk when he sang it a few days ago. It isn't the singer for heaven's sake it is the singing of the song!