Baseball

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons extends hand to anthem singer after bungled song

By: The Canadian Press

Posted: 02/27/2013 4:15 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 02/28/2013 7:29 AM

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, left, poses for a photograph with a fan before the Jays take on the Minnesota Twins during MLB Grapefruit League baseball action Dunedin, Fla., on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

DUNEDIN, Fla. - A pair of bungled anthem renditions had Jeff Fuller looking for the quickest way off the infield at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on Wednesday.

When he made it off the field, the disconsolate singer found Blue Jays manager John Gibbons waiting with a handshake.

"Poor guy, (he had) nowhere to hide" Gibbons said later. "I admire him for sticking (it) out there and doing it."

After a pause during his botched first attempt, Fuller tried to restart "O Canada" but the crowd continued singing without him. The U.S. anthem also had its problems.

Several Toronto players laughed, including third baseman Brett Lawrie, who is from Langley, B.C.

Tweeted Lawrie: "Ahah how bout the guy singing the national anthems today ?? Ahah woee boyy."

Things didn't get much better for the Jays, who lost 10-1 to Houston.

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