What would I do? I would just not play the anthems. Giving fans a solid two sustained minutes to unleash their feelings about America is never going to result in anything but a chorus of boos. Before first pitch, I would have a statement of welcome read. - ThreadSky

taoofstieb.bsky.social • 26 days ago

What would I do?

I would just not play the anthems. Giving fans a solid two sustained minutes to unleash their feelings about America is never going to result in anything but a chorus of boos.

Before first pitch, I would have a statement of welcome read.

Comments

jeffster1970.bsky.social•26 days ago

They need to be banned outright from all sporting events. There is no place for anthems at these sporting events.

gideonclarke.bsky.social•26 days ago

There’s no good reason to play the national anthem before any sporting event, but there’s even less reason to play the anthem of the country where the visiting team is based. If we weren’t already doing this, nobody would suggest we start. Dumb tradition, perfect opportunity to give it up.

airedalesrule.bsky.social•26 days ago

Find versions performed by John Moschitta.

phillanglotz.bsky.social•26 days ago

Rogers doesn't have the guts to just ditch this (surprisingly recent) tradition. But if we point out to them they could run an extra two minutes of ads on the Jumbotron before the game instead, I bet they'd be happy to do it.

amandasadiehistory.bsky.social•26 days ago

Speaking as an American, play O Canada more. It's a great anthem, better than ours by far.

taoofstieb.bsky.social•26 days ago

Like:

“The Blue Jays welcome players, officials and fans from around the world for today’s game.

Baseball is a global sport, which unites people from different countries and cultures in their love of the game.

To everyone who has joined us here in person or tuning in: Welcome to Toronto.”

taoofstieb.bsky.social•26 days ago

(I would even suggest integrating this into the land acknowledgement if it weren’t for the fact that the worst shit-hearted bad faith garbage clowns would make a thing out of it.)

naveensivakumar.bsky.social•26 days ago

They’re going to make a thing over whatever we do. Better to just to do the right thing and include the land acknowledgment.

chrishill.bsky.social•26 days ago

If they absolutely have to play anthems, which I suspect MLB will dictate, the best thing to do is find a quick & shitty recording of the “star spangled fuck off” and play that at a minimum volume. Then have a powerhouse singer perform “O Canada”.

mentoch.bsky.social•26 days ago

Bring in the Washington Generals of anthem singers.

An absolute jobber to get blown away

chrishill.bsky.social•26 days ago

What are Carl Lewis & Roseanne Barr doing these days?

mentoch.bsky.social•26 days ago

Man, if the Jays wanted to give me a chance to boo Carl Lewis every day, I'd definitely take it

chrishill.bsky.social•26 days ago

Even better if the American anthem is in Russian

ckimberley.bsky.social•26 days ago

Ditching the anthems is an excellent idea. If you don't want sports to be political, don't give people the chance to make them so. I'm constantly being reminded of the shit show that is unfolding in front of us, I would love the opportunity to just shut my brain off for 2.5 hrs.

ckimberley.bsky.social•26 days ago

Nevermind listening to how Americans are offended at the booing of their anthem while being okay the fact their dumb ass leader is trying to economically cripple and annex us.

fredwesley.bsky.social•26 days ago

100 percent agree. Is there an MLB rule that requires the anthems? Unlike the NHL, for MLB games they aren't even broadcast on TV. They happen before the top of the hour and are only heard by those in the stadium. It would be a story for a day and then no one would miss them.

craigdurling.bsky.social•26 days ago

Ok, so should the NFL have stopped playing the anthem because Kaepernick took a knee? Taking something away to stop people from expressing their feelings is like whack-a-mole.

taoofstieb.bsky.social•26 days ago

This isn’t the same thing, and you know that. I’m not going to engage in debate club sophistry with you on this.

craigdurling.bsky.social•26 days ago

Sorry, I’m not equating protests against racism with protests over threats of annexation. People will find ways to express their feelings, whether about injustice or political concerns. Removing the anthem might stop boos, but it won’t prevent people from wanting to express frustration.

taoofstieb.bsky.social•26 days ago

Again, this isn’t the point. It’s not about stifling people’s views or feelings. It’s about not letting the anthems and the inevitable narratives around them subsume all the discussion of your season. Which will end of with far more negatives than whatever positives derived from Cdn patriotism.

craigdurling.bsky.social•26 days ago

I understand you’re not suggesting stifling views. I also get your point about it being a distraction. Before Trump’s annexation threats, I could agree with removing anthems—they don’t affect the game. I feel removing them now risks making people more angry, like MLB is trying to silence them.

baseballgods16.bsky.social•26 days ago

Great idea. Unity not divisiveness.

mattimack.bsky.social•26 days ago

Yes!! Ditch the anthems. These are not international events.

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