ST. LOUIS – It was, shall we say, an interesting anthem day at Busch Stadium for the curtain raiser of the Blue Jays season, complete with an opening act and a headliner.
First up in the ceremony prior to the Jays-Cardinals game was Abigail Goldschmidt, billed as a world class electric violinist, who served up a unique version of O Canada. The instrumental take on the anthem was jazzed up by Goldschmidt, who is also a model, with her own off script twists that drew the ire of some over-sensitive Canadians on social media.
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The rendition was certainly out there, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard an instrumental version of an anthem at a sporting event.
In reality though, Goldschmidt was just the warm-up in what was an elaborate opening day pre-game ceremony that also included another crowd pleaser, the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales who are revered in these parts.
The showstopper for the 46,000 plus opening day crowd in this baseball mad city came from Cardinals pitcher, Adam Wainright. The veteran surprised his teammates – and the crowd – when he exited the baseline following team introductions and belted out a rousing (if slow) version of the Star Spangled Banner.
Entering his 18th and last season, Wainright began the season on the injured list after suffering a strained groin on Tuesday, denying him a scheduled opening day start.
An aspiring singer who has said he plans to pursue the profession once his playing career is over, Wainright’s effort was met with huge applause from the boisterous opening day crowd. As he finished the anthem, Wainright extended both arms before rejoining his teammates along the first base line.