The most stirring renditions of the national anthem from the past year in MLB
The national anthem is notoriously difficult to sing. Singing it in front of thousands of baseball fans, under who knows what conditions, is even more difficult. And yet, dozens of performers every year knock it ... out of the park.
To celebrate the always impressive accomplishment, we selected some of the most memorable and Star-Spangled-est Banners from the past year in baseball. If we forgot your favorite, don't forget to let us know @Cut4.
7. Bryzzo
6. Chewbacca Mom
Candace Payne, aka Chewbacca Mom, culminated her rise to fame by singing the national anthem before an Astros' win over the Mariners in July. Probably wisely, she sang without the mask -- though, unfortunately, the question of whether or not a Wookie could hit those high notes remains unanswered.
5. Itzhak Perlman and Cho-Liang Lin (tie)
Here's a trick to putting in an impeccable Anthem performance: Don't even try to sing it. World-famous violinist Itzhak Perlman fiddled his way to a stellar rendition before the NL Wild Card Game at Citi Field, and Cho-Liang Lin rocked out on a 300-year-old violin.
4. 11-year-old Royals fan
Speaking of rocking out: This young Royals fan brought the distortion.
3. Julianna Zobrist
At this point,
2. John Williams
If John Williams conducting an orchestral performance of the national anthem during Vin Scully Day doesn't impress you, what does?
1. John Vincent
Just listen to Cubs fan and Wrigley Field regular John Vincent sing the national anthem before the Cubs' pennant-clinching win over the Dodgers in the NLCS. Just listen to him hold that note.
Bonus:
America isn't the only country with a national anthem. Just so the others don't feel left out, here is a very saxy rendition of 'O Canada':
