Now, y’all, let me tell you somethin’ about that National Anthem they always play at them big baseball games. I ain’t never been to one of them fancy ballparks, but I been seein’ it on TV for years now. Every time them fellas get out there on that field, they gotta stand still while some singer belts out that “Star-Spangled Banner.” It’s all about respect, you know, for the country and all that. Been doin’ it since way back when. My old man used to talk about how they started playin’ it regular during the big ol’ wars, like World War II and such. Ever since then, it’s been tradition, just like a lot of other things folks do in them games.
Now, it ain’t always smooth, though. You’d think singin’ a song would be easy, right? But, let me tell ya, not everyone can pull it off. I seen some singers get up there and butcher that anthem worse than a butcher cuttin’ up a hog without knowin’ where to start. Take this gal Ingrid Andress, for instance. She got up there at Globe Life Field in Texas, all drunk and off-key, tryin’ to sing the anthem. I ain’t one to gossip, but that sure wasn’t no pretty sight, I tell ya. She even admitted it herself! She put it on her social media, confessin’ that she was three sheets to the wind while tryin’ to sing that important song. Folks was talkin’ about it for days, and not in a good way neither. Ain’t nobody wants to hear that, especially when you’re supposed to be givin’ your respect to the country!
But you know, not all anthems are like that. Some folks really know how to make it shine. Take this fella Cody Johnson, for example. He was singin’ the National Anthem before the 2024 MLB All-Star game, and let me tell ya, he didn’t miss a note. The crowd was all caught up in it, and the ballplayers were standin’ there, all still and respectful, with their hands over their hearts, just like they’re supposed to. That’s what I’m talkin’ about! A good, solid performance. Ain’t nothin’ better than that.
And speaking of good performances, don’t forget about H.E.R. That woman, she can sing! She was the one who sang the anthem at the 2023 World Series, right before that big ol’ game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. Now, that was a performance to remember. You could feel the emotion in her voice, and I bet every soul in that stadium could hear and feel that pride when she sang. It was perfect, just like how an anthem oughta be.
See, the National Anthem is real important in baseball. It ain’t just somethin’ they do because it’s always been done that way. It’s a symbol of the country, and every player on that field knows it. It don’t matter if you’re at the local little league game or the big ol’ World Series, when they play that anthem, it’s a reminder of what America stands for. You might be out there watchin’ with your kids or your grandkids, but for them few minutes while that anthem’s playin’, it’s like everybody’s the same. It’s a shared moment of pride. It’s about the country, the flag, the soldiers fightin’ for us, and the freedom we got here that not everyone gets to enjoy.
Now, I’m just a simple woman, so I don’t understand all the fuss about who sings the anthem or how they sing it. I just know when it’s done right, it feels right. There’s somethin’ about hearin’ that song that sends a chill down your spine. It’s a moment that connects us all, whether you’re sittin’ at home in your worn-out chair, or out there watchin’ the game in the stands with your cold drink in your hand.
So next time you watch a game, just remember—whether it’s a beautiful performance like H.E.R.’s or, well, one that don’t hit the right notes, it’s all about the respect. That anthem’s been a part of baseball longer than most of us have been around, and it’s gonna keep goin’ long after we’re gone. Let’s just hope the singers don’t get too carried away with the fancy notes and forget what it really means. ‘Cause at the end of the day, it ain’t about singin’ perfect, it’s about showin’ respect for the land we love.
Tags：[MLB National Anthem, Baseball Traditions, Star-Spangled Banner, Cody Johnson, Ingrid Andress, H.E.R., World Series, National Anthem Performance]
