Boone clarifies bizarre national anthem standoff prior to Yankees vs. Reds game
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Follow UsEarlier today, an unusual incident almost delayed the start of the Yankees-Reds game in The Bronx. Just before the beginning of the Fourth of July matinee, the national anthem concluded, but two pitchers from each team remained standing at attention.
What happened
Yankees pitchers Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet positioned themselves on the first-base line, while Reds pitchers Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers stood on the third-base line, each side vying to be the last to salute.
As the Yankees took the field for the top of the first inning and Marcus Stroman warmed up, the four players continued their standoff. Home-plate umpire Alan Porter and third-base umpire Jim Wolf intervened, urging the players to leave the field. Yankees manager Aaron Boone also directed his players to step off.
Boone confirmed that the antics did not delay the game, although it came close. Porter even had to leave the field briefly during the standoff to retrieve some equipment from the umpire’s locker room.
Poteet explained that the standoff was spontaneous, spurred by the extended pregame ceremonies. “It wasn’t planned. We were just having a little fun,” he said. Ultimately, Ashcraft was the last player standing.
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