14,680,833 hits since 2007.06.01
The inspiration for the lyrics was Major League Baseball player Michael Joseph “King” Kelly (1857-1894), who was popular for his flamboyant, daring baserunning. “Slide, Kelly, slide!” was the chant his fans used during his games. The song was America's first “pop hit” record, recorded by George J. Gaskin in 1893 on Edison phonograph cylinders.