Credit Fred Thomas of the Red Sox for starting the tradition.
35-year-old British lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem on September 14th, 1814. He scribed the words after witnessing an attack on Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy. The battle took place in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
Key was inspired by the 15 stars and 15 stripes, known as the “Star-Spangled Banner.” The U.S. flag flew triumphantly above the fort during U.S. victory.
In 1889, the Star-Spangled Banner was recognized for official use by the United States Navy. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson recognized it officially in 1916. And on March 3, 1931, it became The National Anthem by Congressional resolution.
The connection between The Anthem and baseball goes back to 1918.
Fred Thomas (photo, Society for American Baseball Research)
On September 5th, 1918, Game 1 of the World Series was played in Chicago between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. The crowd wasn’t large that day–even for a World Series game–and for good reason, too. Just days before the game, a bomb exploded in Chicago, killing four people and injured dozens more.
During the 7th inning stretch, the U.S. Navy Band walked onto the field and begin playing The Star-Spangled Banner. As the song was being played, Red Sox infielder Fred Thomas, who served in the Navy and had been granted a furlough to play in the World Series, turned toward the American flag and gave a military salute.
Other players followed Thomas’ example. Players stood facing the flag with hands over hearts, singing. The crowd stood and joined in.
When the song ended, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. The Anthem would be played during each game of the Series–with people standing, hands over hearts, facing the flag.
The practice caught on in other sports and the tradition has continued through the decades to honor those who have fallen so we can be free. No matter the sport, the American flag flies at each sports venue across the land.
Today, it’s important to remember the example Fred Thomas set in 1918. Stand. Put hands over heart. Salute the American flag.
