Morneau rips all-star treatment of Canadian anthem

[JonLP24]

THE CANADIAN PRESS

ST. LOUIS – Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow sang the Star Spangled Banner before Tuesday's all-star game.

O Canada was handled by a recorded instrumental rendition piped through the speakers, and Canadian slugger Justin Morneau felt the national anthem deserved better.

"I wasn't very impressed with that to tell you the truth," Morneau told reporters after the American League's 4-3 win over the National League. "You figure they could find somebody to come and sing the song. They have a hockey team here, the Canadian teams play here.

"It's something that didn't really go over too well. I think if it happened the other way around, if they were playing in Toronto and they did that, it would have been a lot bigger deal. But nothing you can do about it."
http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/666504

I had no idea the Canadian Anthem was even played.

[LisaM]

1. He's right. MLB and Fox both ought to be ashamed

MLB for not finding someone to sing it (for that matter, why can't Sheryl Crow sing it? I can't imagine she'd object) and Fox for not playing it.

And we could have skipped that god-awful rendition of "God Bless America". Sara Evans was so off-key at times my ears hurt. Isn't she the one who had some creepy GOP husband?

[cboy4]

2. WHOOP WHOOP ... LisaM and I agree on something ... WHOOP WHOOP!!

I don't know how many years in a row I've complained on DU about how FOX refuses to play the Canadian Anthem.

Of course, I'm outnumbered by idiots who argue everything from "who cares?" to "it's an American network" to "MLB is Merica's sport and pastime" to "it's a business decision as FOX tries to squeeze in another commercial" to "nobody even knows the lyrics to the Canadian Anthem" (I know them by heart) to ... fill in the blank.

It's an outrage, considering two Canadian teams are represented (Blue Jays and Nationals) and family members of Major League Baseball.

But you're right .. they wet their pants over that horrid song, God Bless America.

What a great post by LisaM!!

Before long, she'll be agreeing with me that it's time to strip the Thanksgiving game from the Lions!! :bounce:

[1gobluedem]

5. Or you will agree that it isn't

A far more likely scenario.

[MrSlayer]

3. I agree.

And they should have done the French/English hybrid version.

[cboy4]

4. I remember watching the Expos play the Giants at Candlestick Park one

year, and out PA person announced everything in French and English.

I thought it was the coolest thing.

[LisaM]

6. You DO know that they play "O Canada" at Lions' games, right?

It's the state song of Michigan!


Well, okay, maybe it's not, but considering that Detroit is 1250 feet north of Canada, they should!

[Onceuponalife]

7. this is a pet peeve of mine

National anthems shouldn't be played at all in sporting events, except when countries are competing against each other, of course. I never could understand why they ever wanted to mix nationalism with sports.

And I agree with cboy (stop the presses) that God Bless America is a disgraceful song and I'm embarrassed and irritated that they play it every game at Dodger Stadium. That's probably the right-winger Tommy Lasorda's doing.

[cboy4]

8. Even if I have no more than a drop of urine in my system, I make sure I

get up to pee during the 7th inning stretch so I can be seen walking away from God Bless America.

I hear the security goons at Yankee Stadium try to make sure you don't leave your seats, which is an absolute fuckin' disgrace and the sign of a police state when you can't take a leak whenever you want. :puke:

[erpowers]

11. What Happened to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

I saw a headline that a choice had been made concerning what to sing during the 7th inning. I think they should go back to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Are they ever going to go back to that song?

[TZ]

12. Some places (like Nationals Park)

Do both. I guess thats DC for ya...:shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

17. All sorts of Canadians in DC passing for United Statesians. It's a wonder we don't play God Save

the Queen, too. When England is in a big football game, English come out of the woodwork. It's kinda neat.

[Onceuponalife]

15. Wow that would take some guts

I remember one time I was walking back to my seat with a drink and the National Anthem started up. I was going to stop but I wanted to walk to my aisle first. As I passed some one I heard him call me a "commie!" This was in Oakland. I've seen lots of people refuse to stand during the anthem. I say right on. Good for you cboy.

[hughee99]

9. I agree with Morneau...

There's no reason they couldn't find someone to sing the Canadian national anthem. Hell, I bet Sheryl Crow would have sang it if they asked.

[Capt. America]

10. I agree...God Bless America is a bad song and it should not take the place of

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the 7th inning.

I guess if you had to have a patriotic song, can't someone pick "America the Beutiful" or "This Land is Your Land", they are way less nationalistic in tone than "God Bless America".

[El Supremo]

14. America The Beautiful!

Written about Pikes Peak.

God Bless America is an insult to God and the rest of the world. Like Deutchland Uber Alles.

[joeybee12]

13. I agree...inconsiderate and rude on our part.....

and sadly not a surprise.

[Captain Hilts]

16. Agree. If they can sing both at hockey games, they can do it for an event such as this. nt