Thank You, Major League Baseball, for the Historic, God-honoring, Refreshingly Patriotic and FUN Escape of This Year's World Series!

Aimee Herd-Commentary : Nov 1, 2016
MLB.com

Wayne Messmer—who has sung the National Anthem prior to various Chicago sports games for years, and who (20 years ago) survived a gunshot to the throat (a miraculous story in itself)—returned to belt out "God Bless America" and the National Anthem in game 5. 

From whatever side of the political spectrum you hail, we can all agree that it has been a stressful, arduous electoral season. (Photo: Cleveland Patch)

If you're a sports fan, as I am, you may have anticipated that September might bring the exciting diversion of football.
 
However, even that was clouded by the National Anthem controversy that spread from one Colin Kaepernick to other players all throughout the NFL and beyond—even being mimicked by high school and college teams, and even their bands.
 
Ugh. Enough already!
 
Just when it seemed like the nation's ‘blood pressure level' was reaching that unhealthy triple-digit diastolic reading—suddenly it was time for the World Series.
 
Now, I'll readily admit that my two favorite teams (from NY) did not make the cut, however, the two that did—Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians—seemed to be quickly endeared to Americans' hearts, and mine as well. (Photo: Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
 
And this would be not just ANY Fall Classic—this was an historic one. The last time the Cleveland Indians won the World Series was 1948; the last time the Chicago Cubs won was in 1908.
 
In fact it was only 1945 when the Cubs last won the Pennant, just to be able to GO to the World Series.
 
But there's another aspect of this year's Classic that has been... well, just so refreshingly patriotic and American, and that has been to see both teams, with all their players, standing as the "Star Spangled Banner" was sung. 
 
After 9-11, all the MLB teams had incorporated a portion of "God Bless America" into their 7th-inning stretch routine, but 15-years-later, many teams have dropped that practice.
 
Not so during the 2016 World Series—in fact some remarkable people stepped up to lend their voices this week...
 
Julianna Zobrist, wife of Chicago Cubs left-fielder and cleanup-hitter, Ben Zobrist, sang a powerful rendition of "God Bless America" before game 4 in Chicago. Julianna is a Christian pop-singer and was also featured this week on Fox and Friends, singing a shortened version of the same. (Screengrab via MLB.com)
 
Wayne Messmer—who has sung the National Anthem prior to various Chicago sports games for years, and who (20 years ago) survived a gunshot to the throat (a miraculous story in itself)—returned to belt out the Kate Smith favorite and the National Anthem in game 5. 
 
And that game the Cubbies won—happily extending the World Series through at least tonight's game 6.
 
Add to that the fun of different celebrities such as Vince Vaughn and Bill Murray revving up the crowd and leading the baseball 7th inning tradition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and you have a welcomed distraction for America from the daily droning of election headlines.
 
So, whether or not you're an Indians or a Cubbies fan, grab your family members and some popcorn, and enjoy a little healthy diversion—and watch history-in-the-making—in tonight's (and possibly tomorrow's) World Series.
 
To watch a video of Julianna Zobrist singing "God Bless America" before Game 4, click here.