‘God Bless’ changes tune of manager
Credit “God Bless America” with the save.
There’s been a lot of discussion about patriotic songs and sports in the year since NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel for the national anthem. We’ve seen and heard a lot, but we’ve never quite seen a moment like the one starring Cincinnati Reds Manager Bryan Price. It’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious.
During the Reds’ game Sunday against the New York Mets, Price was giving two umpires the business after his second baseman, Scooter Gennett, had been ejected for tossing his shin guard after a called third strike. Problem was, Price’s argument with the umps came at the same time that “God Bless America” played between innings at Citi Field. So Price faced a decision: anger or patriotism.
“He stopped before the steam came out of his ears, took off his cap and stood to listen to ‘God Bless America,’ ” wrote Mike Oz of Big League Stew. “The umpires — Shane Livensparger and Jerry Layne — did the same. Price’s heart was in the right place, even if his face still looked like he was ready to curse out an ump.”
Once the song ended, the tenor of the argument had changed. Price was less angry and didn’t get ejected. After the game, Price credited “God Bless America” for keeping him from being sent to the showers early. He told Zach Buchanan of The Cincinnati Enquirer:
“‘God Bless America’ gave me time to realize that was not the time to get ejected,” Price said.