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"God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

bmfc1 Sep 07 2011 07:05 AM

I'm not being political here, really I'm not, I just want to ask if anybody can see the value in the MFYs performing "God Bless America" every game before the bottom of the 7th inning. I can see doing it this Sunday, and perhaps on national holidays, but every night? Last night, it was about 2 AM and everybody had to be in the rain for an extra two minutes while Miss America dragged out the song: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18929477 (note the Teixeira constipated face... or is that his normal look?) What do you think? A proper way to honor America? A redundant and pompous act in the midst of a game when we've already sang the National Anthem?

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 07:20 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I hate God Bless America. Mainly because of the non-secular nature of it, and because it's forced down my throat. I hate that the Mets seem to play it (or did) every Sunday, which is obviously prompted by religion. The Yankees (well, YES) force it down your throat further, by not cutting to commercial. (I don't think they stay around for the Anthem do they? I don't think I've caught the beginning of a Yankees game this season) I did get yelled at by a fan once at Yankee Stadium last year when I didn't feel like removing my cap for it. Oops. I'm not going to complain about the time thing though, cause I love Lazy Mary and love in some perverse way when it's an ESPN game or a long break and we get the English verses that follow the Eye-Talian.

metsmarathon Sep 07 2011 07:27 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

i think it's silly.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 07 2011 07:29 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

It would be great to sneak into the control room at MFYS and play "America F Yeah!" just once.

sharpie Sep 07 2011 07:34 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

The trapping people in their seats for that awful song is what really gets me. The last time I was at a MFY game (about four seasons ago) I left for a bathroom break with 2 outs in the top of the seventh so that I wouldn't be around for that song. Also try to remember to leave on Met Sunday games. Why should people take off their hats for that song anyway?

metirish Sep 07 2011 07:38 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I can forgive the young girl not sounding any good at that hour of the morning, but Jesus ,Mary and Joseph why the fuck the yankees feel they must play that ell the time is unforgivable. At home for All-Ireland Final day the National Anthem is played , for international games the home and visiting anthems are played, that's it IIRC. God Bless Ireland is an old rebel song and is not played.

Frayed Knot Sep 07 2011 07:44 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 07 2011 07:46 AM

George always liked to act as if he invented patriotism* and this was one of his ways of showing it. Now, of course, no one has the guts to pull the plug on it. I think he took that born on the 4th of July** thing a bit too seriously. * Indeed hIs main reason for accepting the "life-time ban" from Fay Vincent was that he felt having the facts come out in a protracted legal fight would jeopardize his spot on the U.S. Olympic committee and that, he thought, was going to be too big a blow to his reputation. He changed his mind almost immediately after signing the papers of course but his initial reaction showed where his priorities were. ** That is his officially listed birthday, and while there's no evidence to suggest this isn't true it also wouldn't surprise me a bit if it turns out to be made up to fit the image.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 07 2011 07:45 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

This almost feels too easy to say, but hey, let's call it what it is: it's lots more about the MFYs branding themselves as quintessentially American (see also: Dallas Cowboys, Chevy trucks, Giuliani) than it is about honest tribute to anything real. "We're pausing to honor America... by interrupting a Yankee game. Feel privileged." I surprise myself a little by saying this, but I actually kinda like the Metly take on this*, which puts the focus squarely on a person who's served and their very specific personal achievements/travails; I'm a lot more comfortable with honoring Americans than ineffable, infallible "America." And yeah, fuck you, hypothetical MFY fan. In recognition of the fact that it isn't the national anthem-- and in tribute to the freedoms enshrined in the Constitoosh-- the hat's staying on. Might just finish my hot dog, too, in tribute to Kate Smith. *Minus the Lee Greenwood earcheese. Although... sometimes you need a calcium supplement, I suppose.

DocTee Sep 07 2011 07:51 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I like it. It should be our national anthem, in my opinion. No more religious, in my mind, than the Pledge of Allegiance or our currency. It's better by far than Sweet Caroline, the Curly Shuffle, or anything else they might play in that spot (other than "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", of course). So you don't stand for the Seventh Inning stretch? Or are you making some overt statement by remaining in your seat for this song, and then getting up? And would you do that at Citi Field, too? God Bless America. There I said it.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 07:55 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

well yeah, the Mets 'quietly' honor a serviceperson every game. (And they always say "seated in Section 1, Row A" etc like he just happened to randomly get those seats. it's the same seat very time) The Mets have quietly invited 9/11 families to the park 5x a year for 10 years and players come in and talk and sign and take pictures. Yet the yearly trip to Walter Reed only has 97% attendance and people throw hissy fits. That's honoring America. rebranding yourself by forcing a song down fans throats is not.

MFS62 Sep 07 2011 07:58 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

In the case of the Yankees, its over-compensation, to try to proove how patriotic they are to their bleacher fans with the flag tattoos. Sort of like the guys with small dicks buying big cars. Later

Frayed Knot Sep 07 2011 08:01 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I think the Yanquis also believe it gives them an added home-field edge (not the players necessarily but the dolts in the front office) both by reminding those poor saps in the non pinstriped unis that they're in a house of royalty and by making their pitcher stand around and wait just when he's getting ready to go.

seawolf17 Sep 07 2011 08:15 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Frayed Knot wrote: I think the Yanquis also believe it gives them an added home-field edge (not the players necessarily but the dolts in the front office) both by reminding those poor saps in the non pinstriped unis that they're in a house of royalty and by making their pitcher stand around and wait just when he's getting ready to go. I think there's a decent amount of truth to this. I think it's schmaltz and needs to go. I have nothing against America, or the song, but it's unnecessary.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 07 2011 08:23 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

DocTee wrote: I like it. It should be our national anthem, in my opinion. No more religious, in my mind, than the Pledge of Allegiance or our currency. I agree. The song resides in the hearts of the people more than the Star Spangled Banner does. When Congress gathered on the Capitol steps after September 11, they didn't sing the actual anthem, they sang God Bless America. If the national anthem is supposed to reflect the spirit of the people, then God Bless America fits the bill. And I'm saying this as a committed atheist. If you don't believe in Yahweh (and I don't) then look at the God in the song as an allegorical God. I'm not the least bit offended by it. Singing about "land that I love" and "my home sweet home" is much better than ramparts and gleaming and stuff like that.

metirish Sep 07 2011 08:25 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

No , no , no.....Star Spangled Banner to me is very inspiring , no sarcasm here, I really like it.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 07 2011 08:34 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Benjamin Grimm wrote: DocTee wrote: I like it. It should be our national anthem, in my opinion. No more religious, in my mind, than the Pledge of Allegiance or our currency. I agree. The song resides in the hearts of the people more than the Star Spangled Banner does. When Congress gathered on the Capitol steps after September 11, they didn't sing the actual anthem, they sang God Bless America. If the national anthem is supposed to reflect the spirit of the people, then God Bless America fits the bill. And I'm saying this as a committed atheist. If you don't believe in Yahweh (and I don't) then look at the God in the song as an allegorical God. I'm not the least bit offended by it. Singing about "land that I love" and "my home sweet home" is much better than ramparts and gleaming and stuff like that. Leaving aside what god-fearingTM members of Congress sang during a very visible moment... both in terms of melody/lyrics and sentiment, it's "America the Beautiful" over "God Bless America." All day. Every day.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 07 2011 08:48 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I'm down with that, but I think if it were up to the people (as it should be) then God Bless America would beat America the Beautiful. But America the Beautiful would probably get my vote. Especially if it was sung by Ray Charles.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 08:50 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: DocTee wrote: I like it. It should be our national anthem, in my opinion. No more religious, in my mind, than the Pledge of Allegiance or our currency. I agree. The song resides in the hearts of the people more than the Star Spangled Banner does. When Congress gathered on the Capitol steps after September 11, they didn't sing the actual anthem, they sang God Bless America. If the national anthem is supposed to reflect the spirit of the people, then God Bless America fits the bill. And I'm saying this as a committed atheist. If you don't believe in Yahweh (and I don't) then look at the God in the song as an allegorical God. I'm not the least bit offended by it. Singing about "land that I love" and "my home sweet home" is much better than ramparts and gleaming and stuff like that. Leaving aside what god-fearingTM members of Congress sang during a very visible moment... both in terms of melody/lyrics and sentiment, it's "America the Beautiful" over "God Bless America." All day. Every day. Indeed. I'm not sure God Bless America is 'the song' in the eyes of the people, or at least, not sure that it was in 2000. Maybe it is because it was forced our throats, and not vice versa. And not just that. If you want to play up the patriotism (and go for it. In fact, maybe they should start jamming the National Pastime thing down peoples throats _more_ and stop lettin football try to claim that throne. ) have some guts and play whatever patrotic song you want. I'm sure Billy Joel has a couple, and you know how the Mets love him. Leave God Bless America for the Padres or something. Or hell, embrace the regional nature of it and play New York, New York.

G-Fafif Sep 07 2011 09:04 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Ceetar wrote: Or hell, embrace the regional nature of it and play New York, New York. As was done 9/21/2001, led by Liza Minnelli herself (whose version I always liked better than Sinatra's). "Oceans white with foam" rhyming with "my home sweet home" has struck me as something Felix Unger would have come up with after taking that writing class.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 09:06 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I think you could argue Take Me Out to the Ballgame is patriotic too.

G-Fafif Sep 07 2011 09:27 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Ceetar wrote: I think you could argue Take Me Out to the Ballgame is patriotic too. I wasn't sure ten years ago why it had to be pre-empted as opposed to supplemented.

Willets Point Sep 07 2011 09:35 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Ceetar wrote: I think you could argue Take Me Out to the Ballgame is patriotic too. It's a song about where a girl wants her beau to take her on a date.

sharpie Sep 07 2011 09:46 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I rank them this way: This Land Is Your Land The Star Spangled Banner America the Beautiful God Bless America My Country 'Tis Of Thee (which is really God Save the Queen/King)

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 09:47 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Willets Point wrote: Ceetar wrote: I think you could argue Take Me Out to the Ballgame is patriotic too. It's a song about where a girl wants her beau to take her on a date. to watch America's national pastime.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 07 2011 09:49 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I like "America the Beautiful" better, but I don't mind singing "God Bless America." I like "Stars and Stripes Forever" better than both, for some good old-fashioned American bombast -- Sousa kicked butt! But, hey, I'm one of those people who flies a flag on the front of the house.

sharpie Sep 07 2011 09:54 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

"Stars and Stripes Forever" -- didn't include it since it's rarely sung but yes, it rocks.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 07 2011 09:54 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Ceetar wrote: Ceetar wrote: I think you could argue Take Me Out to the Ballgame is patriotic too. It's a song about where a girl wants her beau to take her on a date. to watch America's national pastime. I never knew that song was about football.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 07 2011 09:56 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I'd take my hat off for "Living in America." I'd drop trou for a live version of, say, "Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off the Sucker)."

Lefty Specialist Sep 07 2011 10:14 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I'm actually surprised the Yankees don't play it EVERY inning. I prefer 'America the Beautiful' as it's less overtly religious or militaristic than the others. I don't like patriotism forced on me. One of the bad legacies of 9/11 is that for a while there if you didn't stand at attention for every patriotic song you were viewed as un-American. I do not stand at attention nor do I take off my hat for God Bless America- in fact that's usually my bathroom break. I do stand for the National Anthem, because that's traditional and wasn't grafted on afterwards to prove we can sing louder than the terrorists.

Fman99 Sep 07 2011 10:23 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: It would be great to sneak into the control room at MFYS and play "America F Yeah!" just once. I read this and immediately started looking for the "Like" button.

dinosaur jesus Sep 07 2011 11:05 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

It's sort of sweet, actually, having an Irving Berlin tribute at every game. There are just a lot of better songs they could have picked. "Cheek to Cheek." "Puttin' on the Ritz." "Alexander's Ragtime Band." "Blue Skies." Those are songs worth taking your hat off for.

dgwphotography Sep 07 2011 11:06 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

G-Fafif wrote: Ceetar wrote: Or hell, embrace the regional nature of it and play New York, New York. As was done 9/21/2001, led by Liza Minnelli herself (whose version I always liked better than Sinatra's). The original is usually the best... Ray Charles' version of America the Beautiful should trump both "God Bless America" and The National Anthem...

Benjamin Grimm Sep 07 2011 11:10 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

dgwphotography wrote: Ray Charles' version of America the Beautiful should trump both "God Bless America" and The National Anthem... Absolutely.

G-Fafif Sep 07 2011 11:12 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

dinosaur jesus wrote: It's sort of sweet, actually, having an Irving Berlin tribute at every game. There are just a lot of better songs they could have picked. "Cheek to Cheek." "Puttin' on the Ritz." "Alexander's Ragtime Band." "Blue Skies." Those are songs worth taking your hat off for. If only Alex Escobar had worked out.

seawolf17 Sep 07 2011 11:14 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Lefty Specialist wrote: I prefer 'America the Beautiful' as it's less overtly religious or militaristic than the others. I don't like patriotism forced on me. One of the bad legacies of 9/11 is that for a while there if you didn't stand at attention for every patriotic song you were viewed as un-American. I do not stand at attention nor do I take off my hat for God Bless America- in fact that's usually my bathroom break. I do stand for the National Anthem, because that's traditional and wasn't grafted on afterwards to prove we can sing louder than the terrorists. Agree wholeheartedly.

dgwphotography Sep 07 2011 11:19 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Benjamin Grimm wrote: dgwphotography wrote: Ray Charles' version of America the Beautiful should trump both "God Bless America" and The National Anthem... Absolutely. I love the version where he sings the second third verses before the first. I just can't seem to find it online...

Benjamin Grimm Sep 07 2011 11:21 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I do stand for the National Anthem, because that's traditional and wasn't grafted on afterwards to prove we can sing louder than the terrorists. No, it was grafted on afterwards to prove that we can sing louder than Nazis: Musical Traditions in Sports

seawolf17 Sep 07 2011 11:26 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Regardless of when the national anthem started, we already have a patriotic song during the game, and it's silly to have a second one.

metsmarathon Sep 07 2011 11:26 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Benjamin Grimm wrote: ...it was grafted on afterwards to prove that we can sing louder than Nazis and we still can, damnit!

Centerfield Sep 07 2011 11:43 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I think it's dumb. But I think everything the Yankees do is dumb, so I don't know where that leaves you.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 11:44 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

bmfc1 wrote: I'm not being political here, really I'm not, I just want to ask if anybody can see the value in the MFYs performing "God Bless America" every game before the bottom of the 7th inning. I can see doing it this Sunday, and perhaps on national holidays, but every night? Last night, it was about 2 AM and everybody had to be in the rain for an extra two minutes while Miss America dragged out the song: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18929477 (note the Teixeira constipated face... or is that his normal look?) What do you think? A proper way to honor America? A redundant and pompous act in the midst of a game when we've already sang the National Anthem? No, I don't really see the value. ceetar wrote: I hate God Bless America. Mainly because of the non-secular nature of it, and because it's forced down my throat. I hate that the Mets seem to play it (or did) every Sunday, which is obviously prompted by religion. The Yankees (well, YES) force it down your throat further, by not cutting to commercial. (I don't think they stay around for the Anthem do they? I don't think I've caught the beginning of a Yankees game this season) I did get yelled at by a fan once at Yankee Stadium last year when I didn't feel like removing my cap for it. Oops. I'm not going to complain about the time thing though, cause I love Lazy Mary and love in some perverse way when it's an ESPN game or a long break and we get the English verses that follow the Eye-Talian. I disagree that it's obviously prompted by religion. I think it's prompted by the organization wanting to be --- or wanting to be seen as being --- good citizens. It's an official alternative to the national anthem and they were doubling down on the patriotism. That it has an invocation of the deity is a reality, but if some other secondary national anthem didn't have such, I don't think the Mets would be saying, "Fuck it, we're going with 'God Bless America'."

seawolf17 Sep 07 2011 11:52 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Edgy DC wrote: I disagree that it's obviously prompted by religion. I think it's prompted by the organization wanting to be --- or wanting to be seen as being --- good citizens. It is a firm helping of both, but I'd bet it's balanced between the two.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 11:56 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Edgy DC wrote: I disagree that it's obviously prompted by religion. I think it's prompted by the organization wanting to be --- or wanting to be seen as being --- good citizens. It's an official alternative to the national anthem and they were doubling down on the patriotism. That it has an invocation of the deity is a reality, but if some other secondary national anthem didn't have such, I don't think the Mets would be saying, "Fuck it, we're going with 'God Bless America'." unconsciously prompted. Not by the Mets specifically but there's that ingrained christianity in our society that contradicts separation of church and state and all that. It's more a political/societal thing than a baseball thing. Baseball is a very follow the leader organization. One team plays Who Let the Dogs Out, every/most team starts playing it. One team starts outfitting rookies with pink backpacks, all teams start doing it. So the Mets are just going with the flow really and being as you said, good citizens.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 11:58 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Ceetar wrote: Ceetar wrote: I think you could argue Take Me Out to the Ballgame is patriotic too. It's a song about where a girl wants her beau to take her on a date. to watch America's national pastime. I never knew that song was about football. Rogers, is that you?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 07 2011 12:04 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Ouch! I'm not saying that "baseball is dying" (This is his argument, isn't it? I have to say I rarely do more than skim his posts.) but football has certainly surpassed baseball in popularity. If there is a national passtime, it's probably eating in front of the television, but if that category is limited to professional sports, it's got to be football. The Super Bowl continues to be a major event, and the World Series isn't nearly what it once was.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 12:08 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Ouch! I'm not saying that "baseball is dying" (This is his argument, isn't it? I have to say I rarely do more than skim his posts.) but football has certainly surpassed baseball in popularity. If there is a national passtime, it's probably eating in front of the television, but if that category is limited to professional sports, it's got to be football. The Super Bowl continues to be a major event, and the World Series isn't nearly what it once was. probably better for a different thread, but I think it's apples and oranges. The once a week, tv-hyped, one-game 16 times format of football is much easier to devote a ton of time to and really follow. But the average football fan probably watches more baseball games a year than football. it's spread over a longer period, and there is less overlap, but overall, it's probably more hours on baseball. All it would take is the same one game a week.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 12:08 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Just teasing, but I think "If there is a national passtime, it's probably eating in front of the television," is really the plain and obvious truth. Good work. And really, somewhere along the line, these things all became performances, rather than invitations to participate,a s they were meant to be. And even when they do give me an anachronistic invitation to sing along, and I do, I get sidelong glances like I'm a freak. In a country where our tendency to create ever less and consume ever more contributes every day to our national decline, patriotism so expressed turns it into just another thing we express merely in consumption. I have no taste for it at all. On a side note, as a lyricist, I think "America the Beautiful" is a stunning piece of work.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 12:10 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Edgy DC wrote: Just teasing, but I think "If there is a national passtime, it's probably eating in front of the television," is really the plain and obvious truth. Good work. indeed. Which is why they promote football as a beer and wings in front of the TV day.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 07 2011 12:16 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Edgy DC wrote: On a side note, as a lyricist, I think "America the Beautiful" is a stunning piece of work. This is what I was getting at by comparing it to "GBA." I prefer the "AtB" melody, and the lyrics-- lyrically visualizing moments that GBA clumsily farts in the direction of, and then going on to give an impressionist (albeit romanticized) version of the founding/history of the country-- put it in another stratosphere than "foam"/"home."

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 12:26 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

The amazing thing is that it shifts from the past into the hoped-for future after every "America! America!" We are indebted as heirs to these folks and this good fortune, therefore let us strive to make the country thusly for those who will inherit it. It's a prayer, certainly, but a prayer of thanksgiving, and a prayer of aspiration, openly acknowledging that the country as it is now is flawed. My respect doesn't mean I necessarily think it a good idea to play at every baseball game.

Willets Point Sep 07 2011 12:37 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I think the most patriotic baseball organization will insist on singing all four verses of "The Star Spangled Banner." Every inning. Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 12:47 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

When I'm the celebrity performer, I'm definitely doing all the verses. ... hooooome of the braaaaave! "Yay! Woo-hoo! Let's play ball!" On the shore dimly seen... "Oh, dear God!"

Willets Point Sep 07 2011 12:49 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I can't wait to hear you belt out "Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes" and "Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution."

Centerfield Sep 07 2011 12:52 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Keep in mind, God makes an appearance in America the Beautiful too.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 12:56 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

No doubt. Over and over. And I completely understand folks not wanting an official divine invocation at their baseball game, and when I rule, I won't subject them to that. I will be a just despot. I just mention as an aside, it's an impressive piece of work from several angles

Willets Point Sep 07 2011 01:44 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

"Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution" is kind of Tolkien-esque. I wonder if Francis Scott Key cribbed from his unpublished fantasy novel manuscript.

duan Sep 07 2011 03:13 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I think it's fairly bad on all sorts of levels. To me national anthems are great when it's two countries playing each other, but anything else is just silly. I think that just the same about Mayo vs Kerry in Croker as I do about the Mets vs the Padres. It just seems so parochial and narrow. They play the Irish national anthem as the last song in rural irish 'discos' and it's a gruesome affair. As for the God Bless America stuff, at this point in time there's plenty of times when there's more guys from parts of the world other then the USA on the pitch playing the game - is one trying to rub their noses in the fact that they aren't from there or make it seem like the USA is definitively better then where they're from? but I'm a grumpy geopolitically sceptical witness and probably not the target market.

metirish Sep 07 2011 03:24 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

duan wrote: . They play the Irish national anthem as the last song in rural irish 'discos' and it's a gruesome affair. . The local pub would do that, the band playing would finish up with it.....out local rural disco finished up with either "Whole of the Moon" or Sinatra's New York New York.Yeah it was gruesome alright.

duan Sep 07 2011 03:28 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

metirish wrote: duan wrote: . They play the Irish national anthem as the last song in rural irish 'discos' and it's a gruesome affair. . The local pub would do that, the band playing would finish up with it.....out local rural disco finished up with either "Whole of the Moon" or Sinatra's New York New York.Yeah it was gruesome alright. I've seen some grim sights in the likes of Ballinrobe when the lights come on at 3am for Amhrán na bhFiann. Nobody looks good in bright lights at 3 am.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 06:11 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

duan wrote: As for the God Bless America stuff, at this point in time there's plenty of times when there's more guys from parts of the world other then the USA on the pitch playing the game - is one trying to rub their noses in the fact that they aren't from there or make it seem like the USA is definitively better then where they're from? This is where I break from Carlos Delgado. Even as I agree with you that it shouldn't be played, and agree with some above that it wouldn't top my personal list of patriotic anthems or hyms, I disagree with Carlos that "God Bless America" means "God, Please Don't Bless Other Places," "God Damn the Rest of the World," or "God Bless America, Because Everyone Knows We've Earned It More Than Anyone Else." If anything's implicit, it's that by asking for guidance, it's acknowledging that we need guidance. And we do.

Fman99 Sep 07 2011 06:13 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

My vote is for Brother Ray's "America the Beautiful." "God Bless America" sucks a Yankee dick. I prefer everything else to that one.

metirish Sep 07 2011 06:20 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

When did Delgado say all of that?, wasn't his beef with the occupation of Vieques that somehow morphed into people accusing him of hating America?

Frayed Knot Sep 07 2011 06:35 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I always heard Carlos objecting to the forced post-9/11 tie-in of GBA, along with a side order of Vieques thrown in for good measure. I remember an article which focused on his father and a real strident (and Socialist) Puerto Rican independence guy so maybe there was something there too.

Ceetar Sep 07 2011 06:45 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

metirish wrote: When did Delgado say all of that?, wasn't his beef with the occupation of Vieques that somehow morphed into people accusing him of hating America? yeah, I think that's it. And I believe it was only one time....and he was playing for a Canadian team at the time.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 07:19 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

``I wouldn't call it politics, because I hate politics,'' Delgado said Thursday after finalizing his $52 million, four-year contract. ``The reason why I didn't stand for `God Bless America' was because I didn't like the way they tied `God Bless America' and 9-11 to the war in Iraq in baseball. ``I say God bless America, God bless Miami, God bless Puerto Rico and all countries until there is peace in the world.'' My thinking is that his position is and was perfectly defensible, particularly the former paragraph. I just think, regarding the second, that there's nothing in the song that's inconsistent with his statement --- especially since Miami and Puerto Rico are, you know, part of Berlin's America. It certainly doesn't call for an exclusive blessing. But I understand, in that 2004 environment, why it sure seemed that way.

metirish Sep 07 2011 07:21 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Fair fucks for finding the quotes.

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 07:31 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Fman99 wrote: My vote is for Brother Ray's "America the Beautiful." "God Bless America" sucks a Yankee dick. I prefer everything else to that one. You heard it here first. "Proud to Be an American" and "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" are preferable to "God Bless America."

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 07 2011 08:29 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

Edgy DC wrote: Fman99 wrote: My vote is for Brother Ray's "America the Beautiful." "God Bless America" sucks a Yankee dick. I prefer everything else to that one. You heard it here first. "Proud to Be an American" and "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" are preferable to "God Bless America." I believe you mean, "God Bless the U.S.A.." (Hey, symmetry!)

Edgy DC Sep 07 2011 08:32 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

I call it what I call it. That's what BEING FREE MEANS TO ME!

metsmarathon Sep 07 2011 09:10 PM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

i wanna hear "my country 'tis of thee" in the 7th inning. that would fucking rock.

seawolf17 Sep 08 2011 06:48 AM Re: "God Bless America"--MFY Stadium--Every Game

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Fman99 wrote: My vote is for Brother Ray's "America the Beautiful." "God Bless America" sucks a Yankee dick. I prefer everything else to that one. You heard it here first. "Proud to Be an American" and "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" are preferable to "God Bless America." I believe you mean, "God Bless the U.S.A.." (Hey, symmetry!) Are you talking about the Lee Greenwood tune? God, what dreck.