“Take Me Out” to the Stamp Unveiling

U.S. Postal Service to unveil baseball-themed stamp at Play Ball, Chicago!

What:
The U.S. Postal Service will unveil a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the song, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Play Ball, Chicago!

Who:
Gloria Tyson, Chicago District Manager/Postmaster
Other Participants TBA

When:
Tuesday, April 8, approx. 12:20 pm

Where:
Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn Streets

Background:
One of the most popular baseball songs of all time, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2008 on postage later this summer. For decades, the song's catchy chorus has been part of the musical tradition at ballparks around the country, especially during the seventh-inning stretch. The song was born on a New York City train in the summer of 1908, when passenger Jack Norworth - an actor, singer and songwriter who had never attended a major-league ball game - penned the words after seeing a sign about an upcoming game at the Polo Grounds.

The stamp image is based on a circa-1880 "trade card" from the personal collection of art director Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, AZ. The original card shows a baseball scene and contains words promoting a product made by a Michigan company. The stamp art shows the same scene but replaces the product-related words with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," the stamp denomination, notes from the music, and the words "United States of America."

The stamp image will be officially presented for the first time nationally at Play Ball, Chicago! This celebration unites fans of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Kane County Cougars, Windy City Thunderbolts and Joliet Jackhammers and Schaumburg Flyers as they begin their seasons in Chicago. Free activities include batting cages, speed pitch, fun giveaways and more.

Play Ball, Chicago! is presented by the City of Chicago, Mayor’s Office of Special Events and National City Bank. For more information on the event, visit www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents or call (312) 744-3315.

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.