If you answered with anything but the word, Never, then you are WRONG, just like the moronic hockey fans in Montreal and Philadelphia.  I don’t care where it started [Montreal] or where it finished [Philadelphia], you just don’t do that. 

Here’s what you need to do during the singing of the National Anthem, no matter what country’s national anthem is playing:

• Take off your hat. 
• Put your right hand over your heart or stand at attention
• Stand silently or sing if you care to and know the words.
• Show respect. 

Here’s what you don’t do:

• Talk.  And no stupid shouting to signify your team — that means you, Baltimore Orioles fans and Atlanta Braves fans.
• Walk, run or otherwise transport yourself [unless it's an emergency]
• Drink, eat, smoke or engage in any other carnal activity [I think you know what I'm talking about].
• Boo.

The National Anthem stands for something more important than national rivalries.  Show your true colors by standing up to those idiots who have no pride or respect.  Say something to the knuckleheads.  But do it AFTER the whole anthem is played.

TORONTO — Slumping designated hitter Frank Thomas was released Sunday by the Blue Jays, who cut the 19-year veteran one day after he became angry for being taken out of the lineup.

The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for $7,081,967, the remainder of his $8 million salary this year in the $18.12 million, two-year contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.

The guy is going to get paid $25M NOT to play!  AND he’s allowed to negotiate with any team that would have him.  I am sure that there are at least a handful of teams that will take a flyer on him at a reduced rate - say $2M to get an angry superstar to just hit the ball for them.  Nothing else.  Just hit and sit.  And sulk if you’re not playing.  For heaven’s sake. 

However, this has an even bigger impact on us, the fans.  Who do you think eats that $25M?  The Blue Jays?  Oh hell no.  Every price will go up at the stadium.  Have you ever once seen the prices go down? 

I really don’t like Frank.  He’s not my type of ballplayer. Oh yeah, he’s a superstar and a possible first ballot HOF guy, but he’s a whiner and a cry baby and he’s not a complete ballplayer. He’s a fat-a$$ sitting and waiting on the bench for his turn at bat designated hitter.  Aren’t older players supposed to serve as role models and mentors?  Rather than go home and watch ESPN all day or play MLB Baseball 2K8 on your XBox, wouldn’t you rather ride the pines for 2 years and talk baseball with your friends all day for TWENTY-FIVE MILLON DOLLARS?

The fat lady ain’t singing yet, but she’s warming up.  Can’t you hear her, Frank?  She’s singing the scales and it’s your song.  “ME ME ME ME ME ME”

The rest of the story

I’m a life long Baltimore Orioles fan. I was crushed when they lost the Series in 1969 and 1979 when they should have won. I took my 12 year-old son to Cooperstown this past summer to show him all the O’s in the Hall and to look at what they had prepared for Cal since we went there three weeks before his induction.

As an Orioles fan, I took great interest in the Mitchell Report when it was released. I expected to see a couple of Orioles in the report but not the long list of Oriole players. When I saw that list, I couldn’t help but think HOW DO YOU CHEAT THAT MUCH AND STILL LOSE?! This organization has been so bad the last ten years that they can’t even cheat right.

By the way, I hope everyone took note that there was never a hint that Cal ever did anything wrong. The Iron Man is still iron clad in his reputation.