The world was a different place the last time the Cleveland Indians were in the World Series. Back in October 1997, the Internet was something you accessed through a phone line, cell phones were fancy, bulky accessories and American audiences had yet to experience the love affair of Rose DeWitt Bukater and Jack Dawson.
As for music, it was the year of the Spice Girls’ signature song“Wannabe”, the Backstreet Boys’ “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” and, of course, a little ditty by a trio of brothers:
That’s right, the soundtrack of the summer the last time Cleveland won the pennant was “MMMBop” by Hanson. The trio was so big that year that they sung the national anthem before the first game of the 1997 World Series.
You can listen to the full recording in the video up top and decide its musical merits for yourself, but judging by Cleveland’s offensive performance in the top of the first, Hanson may have been just the right thing to pump up the Indians. A leadoff double by Bip Roberts and an RBI single from David Justice gave Cleveland a quick 1-0 lead. Later in the game, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome would add solo home runs, but their efforts fell short as the Florida Marlins won the game, 7-4 — and eventually, the series.
Tune in to FOX at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday to find out who will sing the national anthem for Game 1 of the World Series between the Indians and the Cubs.