FORT MYERS, Fla. • For context, consider what happened Monday afternoon -- just moments ago -- during the national anthem here at the Twins' spring training ballpark, Hammond Stadium.
The anthem singer appeared to try to start several times, and the microphone would not cooperate.
She continued. Not that anyone could hear.
Organically, the crowd joined in, signing together as a stadium to fill the absence of hearing the anthem over the speakers. It was a lot like the final regular-season game at Busch Stadium with all the fans handling the anthem duties for a day.