Hey everyone, it's March and spring is so close, I can almost feel it.

No more heavy coats and dry skin and staticy hair and cold toes.

The flowers and birds are coming back, and for many of us, it just wouldn't be spring without

the start of baseball season. And I know this year's looking a little different, but that's why

we thought we could help you get your baseball fix by bringing the baseball experience to your

ears. We're re-sharing a favorite story from the side door vault to learn the surprising story

of one of America's most popular songs. Take me out to the ballgame.

However, I am compelled to warn you, and this is an official disclaimer, that once you have

finished listening to this story, you may continue hearing the aforementioned song in your head

for the next one to five to twenty-five days. You may hum it as you wash your dishes, wait in the

checkout line, walk from here to there, stare into space. Your partner may even claim that you

hum it in your sleep. As such, side door officially waves responsibility for any relationship

damages that may result from the listening of this podcast. But it's worth it. Okay, here it is.

This is side door, a podcast from the Smithsonian with support from PRX. I'm Lizzie Peabody.

On July 16, 2008, Dan Piazza got up from his desk at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum

and left work early. Peopped on the Metro and set off across town, tucked in his bag,

a personal invitation to an event at the White House. Well, you had to be on a list and have an

invitation. Anyone who had an invitation had to submit their social security number in advance

before coming on to the South Lawn of the White House.

There on the lawn, he joined the gathering crowd and took a seat under the glaring summer sun.

It was hot. It was very hot. They gave out little fans because it was so hot.

And how many people about how many people were there, do you think?

...