Music Questions Answered - Jenn

My father asked a question on Saturday about how "Sweet Caroline" became an 8th inning tradition at the Fens. I have found the answer.

But first, a quick note on the sweep over the weekend. Turns out we can dish it as well as we can take it. Papi seems to be out of his slump, as on Saturday he went three for five and finally got his batting average up over .200. Beckett may not have been as amazing as he was in his previous outing, but he still went 8 innings and had 5 K's. Then on Sunday, our own first baseman, Kevin Youkilis, was a one-man hitting machine as he went three for four including a home run and two doubles. Those doubles would help him tie his career high of four RBI's.

Now back to Dad's question. Why do they play "Sweet Caroline" in the middle of the 8th inning at Fenway Park? Thanks to Dan Hable, another regular at Fat Faced Fenners, and redsoxconnection. com I now have the answer.

While legend has it that former Red Sox announcer Ed Brickley requested the song be played as a tribute to Billy Fitzpatrick's (a Fenway control room worker for 20 years) newborn daughter, Caroline, the song really got its start because of Amy Tobey. As Fenway's music director from 1998 to 2004, Tobey was responsible for choosing which songs would be played between innings. She picked the Neil Diamond song simply because she'd heard it played at other sporting events.
At first, Tobey would randomly play "Caroline" during the final innings of the game only if the Red Sox were ahead because she considered the song a good luck charm. But when John Henry bought the Sox in 2002, he requested that Tobey play the song during the eighth inning of every game. And that's how Sweet Caroline became an official Fenway tradition.

But Sweet Caroline isn't the only musical tradition at the classic stadium. Whenever the Sox win at home, there are three songs that are always played. First up is "Dirty Water" by The Standells. Second is The Dropkick Murphys version of "Tessie" and the third and final song of this winning trio is "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night.

So, for all you Sox fans out there, I have a mission for you: hit itunes and load up on the four songs of Fenway. That way the next time you're home, you'll be able to sing along with everyone else.