My Music Journal 2025: October 1, 2025

 

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Time: 5:48 PM
Song:  Crimson and Clover
Artist: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Mode of Consumption: Walk up Music for Cubs opener Andrew Kittridge 

Link to song: https://open.spotify.com/track/4do0Z0rHdFUV3RSMxMQsdq?si=c2ecc3829171448a

The Cubs have played Wild Card playoff games at 2 PM the last two days, and since that’s smack dab in the middle of my work day, I have recorded the games and watched them in the evenings. 

It’s made for an unusual two days as I have basically avoided using any sort internet other than work email, after 2 PM to avoid seeing any sort of score or result. I have even had Jodi check text messages just so that I didn’t get one from anyone that might reveal the result. 

Sadly, today they lost, which means I will be doing it one more time on Thursday. 

It’s a little jarring watching a taped live event, knowing that I could save myself a lot of anxiety with a few quick clicks. 

Anyways, the game started with the mention of “Crimson and Clover” being the walkup music (not sure that’s the correct terminology for a pitcher) of the opener Andrew Kittridge. First, an opener is a relatively new thing for Major League Baseball. Unlike a starter, an opener is someone from the bullpen being used to get the first three outs. After that, the team usually goes to a starter. 

It didn’t work out so well for the Cubs, as Kittridge gave up a first inning run, and that’s all the Padres needed as the Cubs would be shut out by a series of fireballers whizzing the hardball to the plate consistently over 100 miles per hour. 

“That ‘Crimson and Clover’ is over and over,” Jodi said from the kitchen. She was referencing my Mom, who dislikes the song no matter if it is the Joan Jett version or the one she’s more familiar with (and the original) by Tommy James.

“Ha,” I said. My sense of humor sometimes dies during sporting events. “It is kind of a weird pick.” 

I guess I don’t associate “Crimson and Clover” with athletics, and the Joan Jett cover seems a bit obscure. Still, the guitar is heavy, so it probably works well over the speaker system at Wrigley.