Cubs 365, February 27

Every day in 2012, the Just One Bad Century blog will feature a story about this day in Cubs history. We're calling it Cubs 365.

On this day in 1998, Harry Caray was laid to rest. His funeral was held at Holy Name Cathedral, and it's fair to say that very few funerals in Holy Name history were like this one. It turned out to be almost a celebrity roast, as friends of Harry told story after hilarious story about their dear departed friend.

Cubs manager Jim Riggleman attended the service. Among the Cub players in attendance were Mark Grace, Sammy Sosa and Scott Servais and the retired second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, Gov. Jim Edgar of Illinois and another famous Chicago figure, the football coach Mike Ditka, were also at the service.

When the 1998 season began, the Cubs started the tradition of bringing in celebrities to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; Harry's old job. The first person to do it was his widow, Dutchie.