Furious American baseball fans have branded their team a ‘disgrace’ for not singing the national anthem before Tuesday’s WBC final against Venezuela.
Prior to the first pitch in Miami, a number of USA stars were seen simply staring into space as the Star-Spangled Banner played out at loanDepot Park.
The same could not be said for their opponents, who passionately sang along to the Venezuelan anthem in contrast, leaving the home fans seething.
Several American fans took to social media to hit out at their silent players, accusing the likes of Paul Skenes and Aaron Judge of showing a lack of emotion on the night.
One simply asked on X: ‘Why didn’t USA players sing national anthem?’
‘At #WBC Venezuelan players proudly sing their national anthem. Only 2 USA players. Disgraceful,’ fumed another.
USA baseball fans have branded their team a ‘disgrace’ for not singing the national anthem
In contrast, Venezuela players were seen belting out their anthem before Tuesday’s WBC final
‘Disappointing to see only a couple of guys from USA singing the National Anthem, unlike like Venezuela. Every single one of them were singing theirs. Wth USA? No emotions or nothing,’ wrote a third.
A fourth put: ‘I’ll give it to Venezuela for winning the pre-game festivities. At least they sing their national anthem unlike Team USA.’
While a fifth concluded: ‘None of the USA players singing the national anthem is embarrassing’.
Tuesday’s baseball final between comes just over two months after Donald Trump’s daring January 3 raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from their heavily-secured compound in the nation’s capital of Caracas.
Minutes after they fought back to beat Italy 4-2 in Monday’s semifinals, Trump took to Truth Social with a message about making Venezuela a US state.
‘Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal,’ he wrote late Monday night. ‘They are looking really great.
‘Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE? President DONALD J. TRUMP.’
USA is competing to win the competition for the first time since 2017, while Venezuela is seeking a first-ever victory
Trump has previously underlined his wish for Canada to become the 51st state but it was the first time he has suggested a move for Venezuela in the aftermath of removing Maduro by force.
Baseball fans were even calling on social media for Trump to not only attend but to throw the first pitch before USA faced Venezuela in a raucous atmosphere, but the president failed to make an appearance.
No city in the United States has a bigger Venezuelan population than Miami and it is the first time the country has ever made it to the final.
The United States, meanwhile, has only won the competition once before, in 2017, and a White House invitation from Trump would surely be in the offing if they beat Venezuela.
