Normally, the seventh-inning stretch at Chicago’s Wrigley Field is feel-good experience. While a few Cubs fans may run to the bathroom or grab a beer under the bleachers, most of the ballpark joins in with a celebrity guest for a rendition of ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’ in honor of late announcer Harry Carey.
That was nearly the case on Friday with the Pittsburgh Pirates on hand and actor Hayden Christensen leading the singalong with his daughter from the announcer’s booth. Only instead of the opening verse, Cubs players, coaches and fans instead got an earful from a fleet of passing fighter jets that left thousands ducking for cover.
Christensen, an actor from the Star Wars franchise, couldn’t help but giggle into the microphone as the echoing blast from the fighter jets died down.
But the biggest reaction was in the home dugout, where Cubs players were all caught cowering in fear. Several team stars, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, were in the dugout at the time, but it was veteran slugger Justin Turner who appeared the most surprised, yelling: ‘Oh my God!’
Others covered their ears while rookie Matt Shaw gave veteran Ian Happ a hug in relief after realizing he wasn’t in any actual danger.
Impressively, announcer Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi paused his Motorola spot to allow the jets to fly by.
Justin Turner (glasses) reacts to the flyover while teammates duck for cover. Meanwhile, Cubs announcer Boog Sciambi still managed to read a promo for Motorola
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Wrigley Field as they practice for the Chicago Air and Water Show during the fourth inning of a Cubs-Pirates game on Friday
Hayden Christensen’s rendition of ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’ was interrupted by the jets
‘Scary, Boog,’ color commentator Jim DeShaies responded. ‘Very scary.’
Some fans offered applause to the passing jets, which were not intended to entertain the crowd at Wrigley, but were actually practicing for the annual Chicago Air and Water Show.
Unfortunately for the Cubs and their fans, that proved to be the highlight of Friday’s 3-2 loss to the lowly Pirates.
Losers of four of their last five, the Cubs still hold a five-game cushion on a Wild Card spot in the National League playoffs. Fortunately for Cubs manager Craig Counsell, the team has one of the easiest remaining schedules in baseball, according to Tankathon.com.
One concern for the team has been Crow-Armstrong, whose breakout season is now being tainted by a brutal August in which he’s hit just .136 without a home run.
The 23-year-old Hollywood native hit at least six homers in April, May, June and July to give himself 27 for the season.
