Centerfield

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to Centerfield by John Fogerty! This iconic track from the 1985 album of the same name is a love letter to baseball, capturing the spirit of the game with its infectious guitar riff and rally-inspiring handclaps. Fogerty revealed in a 2015 radio interview with Dan Patrick that he pictured Jackie Robinson as the "brown-eyed handsome man" rounding third, a nod to Chuck Berry’s song of the same name. The song’s second verse references the "Mudville Nine" from the poem Casey at the Bat, and the line "Don’t say it ain’t so" evokes the Shoeless Joe Jackson legend. Fogerty, a lifelong baseball fan, told MLB.com that his childhood memories of heroes like Joe DiMaggio fueled the song’s mythical vibe. In 2010, Fogerty made history as the first musician honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame when Centerfield was celebrated at the induction ceremony, where he performed and donated a baseball-bat-shaped guitar.

The song’s creation was a breeze for Fogerty, who shared in a 2010 interview that he came up with the opening riff while practicing another song. He’d already chosen Centerfield as the album title, symbolizing his return to music after a nearly decade-long hiatus, and the song became a perfect metaphor for his comeback with the line, “Put me in, Coach, I’m ready to play.” Posted on X on January 22, 2024, Fogerty shared a video detailing the song’s origin, noting its timeless appeal. The track, originally the B-side to "Rock and Roll Girls," hit No. 44 on the US Hot 100 but became a ballpark staple, often played with looped handclaps for fans to join in. A 2023 post on Facebook from Fogerty’s official page celebrated the album’s double-platinum status, highlighting how he played every instrument himself, a feat achieved through overdubbing.

Centerfield wasn’t without drama. The album included "Zanz Kant Danz," a jab at Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz, which Fogerty retitled "Vanz Kant Danz" after a defamation lawsuit threat. Another legal battle arose when Zaentz claimed "The Old Man Down the Road" mimicked Fogerty’s own Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Run Through the Jungle." Fogerty won by demonstrating on the witness stand that the songs were distinct, despite his signature style. He later told Rolling Stone that the album marked a turning point, inspired by a fishing trip where he rediscovered his songwriting spark with "I Saw It On TV." Fans can dive deeper into these stories on Fogerty’s official website or join discussions in the John Fogerty Fans Facebook group, a vibrant community for Zoo Freaks to connect.

John Fogerty’s journey to rock legend began in Berkeley, California, where he was born on May 28, 1945. Growing up in El Cerrito, he was the third of five boys in a family with Irish roots. His father, a Linotype operator, and his mother, a second-grade teacher, fostered a creative environment. Fogerty’s older brothers introduced him to music, including a record called The Adventures of Gossamer Wump, which inspired the Centerfield album dedication. As a teen, Fogerty formed the Blue Velvets with Doug Clifford and Stu Cook, later joined by his brother Tom. Renamed Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), the band blended swamp rock and roots rock, skyrocketing to fame with hits like "Proud Mary" and "Fortunate Son." CCR’s nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums from 1968 to 1972 earned them a 1993 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. After CCR’s 1972 split, Fogerty launched his solo career with 1973’s The Blue Ridge Rangers, showcasing his versatility by covering country hits.

Fogerty’s solo path faced hurdles, including legal battles with Fantasy Records over his CCR catalog. His 1985 comeback with Centerfield marked a triumph, hitting No. 1 on the US album charts, as noted in a March 23, 2021, post on Instagram. A Grammy winner, Fogerty is also in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and, uniquely, the Baseball Hall of Fame for Centerfield. His 2019 My 50 Year Trip tour and 2023 acquisition of his CCR publishing rights from Concord, celebrated on his website, cemented his legacy. Fans can follow his ongoing Celebration Tour and share their love for his music on Creedence Revisited, a fan site, or the CCR Fans Worldwide Facebook group. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew, and stay wild, Zoo Freaks!