BUTLER: (Singing)...Around with your... GROSS: Jerry Butler, welcome to FRESH AIR. BUTLER: Thank you, Terry. GROSS: Tell us the story behind this song. BUTLER: Actually, this song and the lyrics ...

Butler made sure to credit the city of Oakland for being part of his thriving MLB journey. “I would say thank you,” Butler said. “That was my first big-league team, the Oakland Athletics.

The introduction of Butler before Thursday night’s home game vs. Toronto might in turn feel a bit different. A bit more like goodbye? Like thank you? Butler, for one, doesn’t mind being the ...