San Diego Hits A Sour Note

How bad was Barr's rendition? Well, after hearing her on TV, opera singer Robert Merrill, who has sung the national anthem at Yankee Stadium for two decades, said, "I almost upchucked my dinner. It was to me like the burning of the flag."

Lynn, a 17-year veteran, said, "It's the worst I've ever heard. You don't mess with that song. This is a military town. On Sundays the Marines and Navy come to the games. If it had happened on a Sunday, it could have been real ugly."

San Diego pitcher Eric Show, who is known for his John Birch Society philosophy, said, "For once I find myself in harmony with public opinion. Usually, I find that to be an indictment. But [Barr's performance] was an insult to the song and all the people who died for what we have left of freedom." And President Bush called Barr's song and dance "disgraceful."

The following day the switchboards at the Padres' offices were flooded with calls from fans complaining about her performance. Club president Dick Freeman apologized. Barr said, "I'm sorry that I didn't sing so good, but I'd like to hear him [the President] sing it." Barr also said she would do it all again, "but I'd do it for a hipper crowd. If this is the worst thing they've ever heard, then their lives have been pretty easy."

Werner, claiming Barr meant no disrespect to the anthem, apologized for the incident while speaking at a local Rotary Club luncheon the next day. "Today marks the 40th day since our ownership group acquired the Padres," he said. "In front of this great audience, let me say that Noah, survivor of the great flood, had it easier."

Barr didn't apologize for scratching her crotch and spitting. She said she was merely parodying baseball players, but not many seemed to think her imitation was funny. A Padres executive said it was the most embarrassing moment in the club's 22 years—and that's saying something, given the bizarre history of this franchise.

In 1974, while San Diego was losing its home opener, Ray Kroc, who had purchased the team in the off-season, screamed over the public-address system, "This is the most stupid baseball playing I have ever seen." In 1986 Goose Gossage, then a Padres reliever, was quoted as saying that Joan Kroc, who took over the family business, McDonald's, after Ray died in '84, was "poisoning the world with her hamburgers." In 1988 Chub Feeney, the club president at the time, flashed his middle finger at the crowd on Fan Appreciation Night. No wonder that when Toronto Blue Jay manager Cito Gaston was asked on July 25 if he had ever seen anything as strange as the three-run throwing error made that night by Kansas City catcher Mike Macfarlane, he said, "I've probably seen everything. I played in San Diego."

Last Friday night, the Padres honored Joan Kroc for her contribution to baseball in San Diego. As she stood at home plate, she was handed the microphone. "It's been a long time since a Kroc has been allowed to take the PA. at this stadium," she said. The crowd of 20,244 roared with laughter.

"That was nice," said Gwynn of the tribute. "It's too bad more people weren't there. I think Roseanne soured a lot of people."

So has the Padres' record.