Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price came out of the dugout on Sunday to argue with the umpiring crew after one of his players had been ejected, and he almost ended up meeting the same fate. Had it not been for a seventh inning tradition in ballparks across the U.S., Price probably would have gotten the boot.
Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett was called out on strikes to end the top of the seventh, and home plate umpire Shane Livensparger threw him out of the game for slamming his helmet in anger. That’s when Price made his way out of the dugout to defend his player, but something happened during the argument.
Since it was the middle of the seventh, “God Bless America” started playing. Price and the two umpires he was arguing with immediately removed their hats and stood at attention.
Bryan Price and umpires pause argument for "God Bless America": https://t.co/oKkOprjvb7 pic.twitter.com/4bvRI0FoYA
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) September 11, 2017
The spat resumed after the conclusion of the song, but it was far less animated. Price credited the timing of “God Bless America” for saving him an ejection.
“God Bless America gave me time to realize that was not the time to get ejected,” Price said, via Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I believe in honoring the flag. I can tell you that.”
We’ve seen how worked up Price can get with some of his ejections in the past. Perhaps the Reds should keep a stereo in the dugout to play “God Bless America” anytime their manager’s blood pressure seems to be on the rise.
