Chicago Cubs fans are known for their passion and loyalty, but on Sunday, that energy turned sour during a highly anticipated moment at Wrigley Field. Alex Cooper, the popular host of the Call Her Daddy podcast, was invited to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch of the Cubs-Cardinals game. What was supposed to be a fun, celebrity-led tradition quickly became a controversial moment, as many fans voiced their displeasure with boos echoing throughout the stadium.
Billed as "Big Al’s Takeover," the event had been promoted by the Cubs in advance as a unique experience, with Cooper at the center of the entertainment lineup. The team’s promotional material hyped the occasion with cheeky language, inviting fans to watch Cooper “take over the Friendly Confines” and lead the iconic crowd sing-along that has become a time-honored part of baseball culture in Chicago.
When the moment came, Cooper took the microphone accompanied by two friends who joined her with choreographed dance moves. As she launched into her rendition of the beloved baseball anthem, it quickly became clear that her approach was unorthodox. Fans began to boo early in the performance, reacting to her dramatic vocal style and theatrical staging. Despite the crowd's reaction, Cooper powered through the song, ultimately delivering a climactic note from atop a friend’s shoulders, laughing as she ended her performance.
While Wrigley Field has hosted a wide array of celebrity singers during the seventh-inning stretch over the years, including athletes, musicians, and local icons, this particular version did not sit well with the home crowd. Social media exploded with reactions, many expressing embarrassment, confusion, or outright disapproval of Cooper's performance. One user wrote that it was “so brutal,” while another commented that getting booed during the stretch was a rare feat, typically reserved for failed renditions of the National Anthem rather than the more casual mid-game tradition.
In one viral anecdote, a Reddit user claimed they could hear the crowd’s reaction from their condo four blocks away. Fans across platforms seemed unified in their dislike for the rendition, including supporters of the opposing team. Comments from Cardinals fans even praised the Cubs faithful for their honesty in voicing discontent with what they saw as a cringeworthy spectacle.
Interestingly, Cooper has not publicly responded to the backlash. She did not post any footage from the performance on her own social media channels, and no official statement has been made from her camp. The Cubs organization also has not addressed the crowd’s reaction or offered clarification about the choice of guest for the stretch.
Despite the awkward entertainment moment, the Cubs delivered a stellar performance on the field, routing the St. Louis Cardinals with a decisive 11-0 shutout. The dominant win gave fans plenty to cheer about after the game, even if the entertainment between innings left them momentarily stunned or disappointed.
The tradition of celebrity-led seventh-inning stretch performances at Wrigley Field has seen its fair share of highs and lows, with each performance often reflecting the guest’s personal flair. While some appearances have become legendary crowd-pleasers, others have drawn criticism or ridicule. Alex Cooper’s "Big Al" moment appears to fall into the latter category, remembered more for the crowd’s reaction than the rendition itself.
Whether this incident will influence how future guests are selected remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Chicago fans value authenticity and connection to tradition, especially when it comes to beloved rituals like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." As the debate continues online, the episode serves as a reminder of how deeply sports fans connect to the culture and heritage that surround their teams, both on and off the field.
