A Memorable 7th Inning Stretch
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, was known for his iconic performances and larger-than-life personality. However, one of his most memorable moments came not on a concert stage, but during a baseball game in 2003. This particular event has been revisited by fans following the news of his passing at the age of 76.
In 2003, Osbourne and his wife Sharon were special guests at a Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. The occasion was significant as it marked an unusual moment for the rock legend, who was invited to perform the traditional song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning.
Dressed in a Chicago Cubs jersey, Osbourne stood in a booth alongside his wife, ready to engage the crowd. With excitement in his voice, he called out, "Alright Chicago! I want to hear a real crazy crowd start singing with me. Are you ready? Are you ready? I can't hear you, are you ready? One, two three!"
However, as the music began, it became evident that while Osbourne knew the tune, he had no idea of the lyrics. He mumbled along with the organ, while players from both teams looked up in confusion. He even struggled with the line "one, two, three times you're out." Despite this, the fans at Wrigley Field found the moment endearing and helped him by singing the words for him.
After the performance, Osbourne didn’t miss a beat and sent a message to the Cubs team in the dugout. "Now let's get some runs," Sharon yelled, prompting Ozzy to add his own words of encouragement. "Yeah, let's get some runs! Come on, don't mess around! Let's get some runs, guys," he said, which earned cheers and applause from the crowd.
This unforgettable moment has been shared and celebrated by fans on social media platforms, especially after the news of his death emerged. One fan wrote, "Unforgettable and totally wild," while another added, "Hats off for the legend of the legends we will miss you Ozzy. RIP the lord of darkness."
The Cubs fan group "Just Another Year" reposted the video and added, "Rest in peace to Ozzy Osbourne. Your 7th inning stretch at Wrigley will never be forgotten."
A Final Farewell
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from his family. His final performance with the original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward took place less than three weeks before his death in Birmingham, England. This reunion marked a significant moment for the band and their fans.
"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning," the statement read. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."
During the final performance, Osbourne expressed his gratitude to the audience. "You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said. He also made it clear that this would be his last ever performance due to his health, having previously spoken about his battle with Parkinson's disease since 2020.
Osbourne founded Black Sabbath in Birmingham in 1969, and the band went on to sell over 100 million records thanks to hits such as "Paranoid" and "War Pigs." His legacy as a music icon continues to live on through his work and the memories he created with fans around the world.