MLB expects live O Canada at future all-star games
Last Updated: Friday, July 17, 2009 | 10:32 PM ET
The Canadian Press
Canadian Justin Morneau said he wasn't impressed with the taped version of O Canada played at the all-star game. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau's disappointment over the taped version of O Canada played at the all-star game this week seems to have registered with Major League Baseball.
Spokesman Pat Courtney said Friday a tight schedule, which included U.S. President Barack Obama throwing the first pitch, led to the decision to pipe a recording of the Canadian national anthem through the stadium speakers.
He added that this was likely a thing of the past.
"Regrettably, the length of the pre-game ceremonies caused timing difficulties," Courtney wrote in an email to The Canadian Press. "We expect there to be live renditions at future all-star games."
Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow sang the Star Spangled Banner before Tuesday's all-star game in St. Louis after a recorded instrumental performance of O Canada was piped through the speakers at Busch Stadium.
Following the game, Morneau, a native of New Westminster, B.C., told reporters: "I wasn't very impressed with that to tell you the truth. You figure they could find somebody to come and sing the song. They have a hockey team here; the Canadian teams play here."
