The National Anthem

An old and once popular saying says when the Republic is in trouble it is time to start polishing the monuments. One of my profs loved saying that. And at times it is true.
I am not sure I am arguing the republic is currently in trouble...The last voter turnout was higher than any other in history for the United States if the numbers I was shown are correct. That indicates a higher level of interest and participation. And people taking an interest and role in deciding how and by whom they are governed is a good thing.
Under those circumstances I can tolerate a little bit of flag waving and national park refurbishing. While we are at it, let's ad another fact to Mt. Rushmore. Maybe Susan B. Anthony or something...
But with that in mind, I look at baseball season starting and grow a little bit sad. I will probably go to 10 or 15 Beaver games. It is a great chance to hang out with some of my old friends for 2 or 3 relaxed hours and enjoy the sunshine. If things break right I might get a pointless bit of memorabilia such as a foul ball or something. A few good memories will be created. And before every game they will play the National Anthem.
I should preface this by saying I really do honor and respect the U.S. For all the problems it is still one of if not the most progressive, tolerant, opportunity-laden, and for what it is worth, relatively free land in the world today...perhaps ever up to this point. Yes, a lot of wrong was done and sometimes continues to be done in reaching this point but it is a pretty good place to live.
What I do not understand is what the National Anthem...a symbol of the myths of our nation, "cherished beliefs", a symbol of our historical accomplishments, both good and bad, a symbol that musically represents our nation...can someone explain to me what that has to do with a sporting event?
Baseball represents all that is right AND all that is wrong with our country. It has moments of individual brilliance where one individual stands out above the crowd, carries others on his back and accomplishes great things...Curt Schilling's one legged performance or the Gibson home run are illustrations of that. At other times the game has a beautiful rhythm where 9 men with less talent than the men across the field from them possess move together with such fluidity and teamwork that they overcome great obstacles to pull off a victory.
Baseball also has the cheaters...and if you think the only people popping vitamin s are the ones who have admitted it so far, you are indeed naive. Baseball also has the insane pay scale. It is a classic quote attributed to Babe Ruth...he was asked about making more money as a baseball player than the President of the United States, to which he allegedly replied, "Well, I had a better year."
Men get paid hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars a year to play a game we thought was something to do for fun. And that is both what is right...people should do what they want if they can make a living at it and it does not hurt anyone...and wrong, is baseball worth even 100,000 per year? about America.
And before every game we will polish the monuments. 4 or 5 thousand people will stand, remove their hats, and sing along with some yutz off the street. People will behave like jackasses at the high notes and clap wildly at the conclusion of the performance. And promptly forget any meaning the song might have held.
I guess I don't know the right time for that song to be performed. Maybe Veterans Day? Memorial Day? Martin Luther King Jr Day? President's Day? the 4th of July? It is hard to say. All I know is every time I attend a sporting event and see that song performed...I just know it doesn't belong.