# I propose on September 11, 2010 we end God Bless America at baseball games **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 8, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092 "2010-09-08T19:52:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/21 "2010-09-09T15:38:37Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > As long as it’s not Ronan Tynan, I don’t care. Amen to that. ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/22 "2010-09-09T15:51:34Z")
I think it’s become a Sunday game tradition. It sucks. I went to the Twins game Sunday, though, and rather than Kate Smith’s godawful version, Jim “Mudcat” Grant sang it, and that was really well done. I think it’s odd to have the Star Spangled Banner played before games, and I doubt anyone can give a valid (to me!) reason why it’s done. Somewhat related anecdote: I ran a half marathon 2 years ago, and the temp was about 40°F with a light drizzle, and we runners had to wait for the starting gun until the SSB was played over the PA. This wasn’t some big race, either. It was a casual race with maybe 300 runners. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/23 "2010-09-09T16:13:04Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > … the Triple-A team here only does the National Anthem before the game and _Take Me Out to the Ballgame_ during the stretch. Likewise the Cleveland Indians. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/24 "2010-09-09T16:18:43Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The Yankees still play it. Usually it’s the Kate Smith recording. Ronan Tynan has only done it once or twice in Boston. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/25 "2010-09-09T16:19:28Z")
Yes, it’s Sundays, and also the occasional patriotic holiday. AFAIK, every team does it (maybe not the Blue Jays), and it’s obnoxious every time. I went to the opera on September 13, 2001, and found the singing of God Bless America perfectly appropriate at the time. But it’s not September 13th anymore. I don’t think religious fervor is a requirement for wanting to see a guy hit a bll with a wooden stick. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/26 "2010-09-13T20:16:13Z")
And, I see that David Cook came to the men’s final of the US Tennis Open and sang: America the Beautiful ??? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/27 "2010-09-13T22:22:34Z")
I’d be happy to be rid of anthems at sporting events entirely. Why do we suddenly put on a display of patriotism before a sporting event? What does patriotism have to do with baseball or hockey or football? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/28 "2010-09-13T22:26:13Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’d be happy to be rid of anthems at sporting events entirely. Why do we suddenly put on a display of patriotism before a sporting event? What does patriotism have to do with baseball or hockey or football? I actually agree. I never understood it. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/29 "2010-09-13T23:05:36Z")
The Red Sox play “Sweet Caroline”. Not sure if they still do Kate Smith. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/30 "2010-09-13T23:10:01Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > The Indians lost to the Angels last night in 16 innings, and the spectators had to hear “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” _twice_. Once in the seventh, and once in the 14th. Weak, especially since (I’m sure) all they heard was the chorus. Everybody thinks they know this song, and [hardly anybody does](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game#Lyrics). If I owned a team, I’d play the Carly Simon version. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/31 "2010-09-13T23:47:31Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’d be happy to be rid of anthems at sporting events entirely. Why do we suddenly put on a display of patriotism before a sporting event? What does patriotism have to do with baseball or hockey or football? I’m with you. Except when national teams play each other. I like the anthems then. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/32 "2010-09-14T00:56:12Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’d be happy to be rid of anthems at sporting events entirely. Why do we suddenly put on a display of patriotism before a sporting event? What does patriotism have to do with baseball or hockey or football? The late baseball owner Bill Veeck put it very well: “Look, we play the national anthem before every game. You want us to pay taxes too?” :D:D ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/33 "2010-09-14T01:37:09Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > > [@Sigmagirl](#): > > > > The Indians lost to the Angels last night in 16 innings, and the spectators had to hear “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” _twice_. Once in the seventh, and once in the 14th. > > Weak, especially since (I’m sure) all they heard was the chorus. Everybody thinks they know this song, and [hardly anybody does](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game#Lyrics). If I owned a team, I’d play the Carly Simon version. I’m with you there! I’m also voting against playing “God Bless America”, and in favor of “This Land is Your Land” and “America.” I also want a pony. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/34 "2010-09-14T07:23:31Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Weak, especially since (I’m sure) all they heard was the chorus. Everybody thinks they know this song, and [hardly anybody does](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game#Lyrics). If I owned a team, I’d play the Carly Simon version. We sang the full song at choir camp one year. Let’s see how well I can remember the full lyrics: **Verse 1** Katy Casey loves baseball games Knew the players knew all their names You could see her their every day Shout “Hooray!” when they play. \ **Chorus** Take me out to the ballgame Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks I don’t care if I ever get back 'Cause it’s root, root, root for the home team. If they don’t win it’s a shame, For it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out At the old ballgame. \*\*Verse 2 \*\*Katy Casey was sure some fan. She could root just like any man. Told the umpire that he was wrong All along–Good and strong. When the score was just 2 to 2. Katy Casey knew what to do Just to cheer up the boys she knew She’d play them this swaying(?) song Reprise Chorus **Outro** Yes, it’s one, two, three strikes your out. It’s summer time, and we’re going to shout. It’s the \ that we’re talking about At the old ballgame. Okay, now I’m going to look at the first line in the part I forgot to see if I can remember the rest. Or, at least I was, but neither version seemed familiar. But I finally remembered it was the one about the “beau”, oddly enough. I wasn’t sure if I got the last line of the second verse correct, but after I remembered what I said in the last paragraph, I’m sure I was wrong. And I was sure the outro was peculiar to the male chorus version we sang–but I like the personalization. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/35 "2010-09-14T07:30:52Z")
Almost made it: I remembered what I said on editing, which is why I fixed it. Originally I doubted I’d ever sang the second part of the first verse. On a Saturday her young beau Called to see if she’d like to go To see a show, but Miss Kate said “No, I’ll tell you what you can do:” I specifically remember the Miss Kate part. Also note that this song is not under copyright anymore, or I wouldn’t have done this. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/36 "2010-09-18T18:57:43Z")
I was at a Cubs game earlier this year, and no God Bless America. Yay. The local minor league team does it, every time. Okay, it’s New York State, a train ride away from “the City,” but I’m with the OP. It’s getting really lame and really old. The minor league team a little further north plays it some of the time, but I think not always. I have never been a big fan of any of the so-called “Irish Tenors,” but what am I missing about Ronan Tynan? Is it his voice you’re complaining about, or something else? ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/37 "2010-09-19T01:44:50Z")
They didn’t do it at the last Pirates game I went to but that wasn’t around September or a holiday so it might be a special occassion thing. I’ve been sick of “God Bless America” ever since they decided it was necessary to end all of our high school football games post 9/11 with it (I was a senior in 01-02). Fine for the first few games but it became overkill after that. ---
**Author:** ![Runestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/74df32/32.png) [@Runestar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runestar)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/38 "2010-09-20T01:42:42Z")
It’s especially obnoxious when you consider that the 9/11 terrorists were acting in the name of the same god that the song asks to bless America. ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092/39 "2010-09-21T13:10:19Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > They should play This Land is Your Land. Every verse. This land is my land, this land ain’t your land I’ve got a shotgun, and you ain’t got one So if you don’t get off, I’ll blow your head off This land is private property. What do you mean those aren’t words? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-propose-on-september-11-2010-we-end-god-bless-america-at-baseball-games/553092.md?page=1)