Take This Heart
Encyclopedia
"Take This Heart" is a song by Richard Marx
, the third single from his 1991 album Rush Street
. It hit number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100
, while reaching number four on the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S. In the UK Single Chart, the song hit #13 in August 1992 as the follow-up to Top 3 hit "Hazard
".
against the Oakland A's
, in the seventh game of the World Series
(Marx is a Chicagoan and a noted Cubs fan). In the classic baseball clutch situation -- last of the ninth, two outs -- Marx faces A's star relief pitcher
Dennis Eckersley
(who plays himself). The baseball scenes (complete with announcer Bob Uecker
, who also plays himself) are intercut with Marx and his band playing the song on the field of the A's ballpark, the Oakland Coliseum.
Finally, with two strikes on him, Marx slams a home run to win the game for Chicago, to the dismay of Oakland players Rickey Henderson
and José Canseco
(who make cameos, as does Cubs manager Jim Lefebvre
). Then we see a dozing Marx shaken awake; his homer was just a dream. (Only one problem with this scenario: if the game was played in Oakland, the hometown A's would still bat in the bottom of the ninth, so Marx' homer could not have won the game for the Cubs -- unless they convinced the Oakland team to bat first!)
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
, the third single from his 1991 album Rush Street
Rush Street (Richard Marx album)
Rush Street is the third studio album by singer/songwriter Richard Marx. Released in late 1991, it sold over two-million copies in the United States alone. Its first single, "Keep Coming Back," was #1 on the American Adult Contemporary chart for four consecutive weeks and peaked at #12 Pop...
. It hit number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, while reaching number four on the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S. In the UK Single Chart, the song hit #13 in August 1992 as the follow-up to Top 3 hit "Hazard
Hazard
A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm; however, once a hazard becomes "active", it can create an emergency situation. A hazard does not exist when it is not...
".
Video
In the video, Marx is seen playing for the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
against the Oakland A's
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, in the seventh game of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
(Marx is a Chicagoan and a noted Cubs fan). In the classic baseball clutch situation -- last of the ninth, two outs -- Marx faces A's star relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Lee Eckersley , nicknamed "Eck", is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of only two pitchers in Major League history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career .He...
(who plays himself). The baseball scenes (complete with announcer Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Robert George "Bob" Uecker is an American former Major League Baseball player, later a sportscaster, comedian, and actor. Uecker was given the title of "Mr. Baseball" by Johnny Carson...
, who also plays himself) are intercut with Marx and his band playing the song on the field of the A's ballpark, the Oakland Coliseum.
Finally, with two strikes on him, Marx slams a home run to win the game for Chicago, to the dismay of Oakland players Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
and José Canseco
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
(who make cameos, as does Cubs manager Jim Lefebvre
Jim Lefebvre
James Kenneth Lefebvre is a former second baseman, third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Lefebvre, the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year, was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1962. In 1965, his rookie year, he hit .250 with 12 home runs and 69 RBI...
). Then we see a dozing Marx shaken awake; his homer was just a dream. (Only one problem with this scenario: if the game was played in Oakland, the hometown A's would still bat in the bottom of the ninth, so Marx' homer could not have won the game for the Cubs -- unless they convinced the Oakland team to bat first!)
Charts
| End of year chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 81 |