Giant U.S. flag, epic flyover kickstarts All-Star Game
The 87th edition of MLB's All-Star Game is officially underway after an emotional - and controversial - pregame ceremony at Petco Park in San Diego.
Moments before Kris Bryant ripped a first-inning blast off White Sox ace Chris Sale, fans were treated to a patriotic celebration featuring an oversized American flag and faster-than-normal flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Amazing flyover by the @AFThunderbirds! #ASG pic.twitter.com/bDpsQUtMCi
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 13, 2016
America the beautiful. #ASG, presented by @MasterCard. pic.twitter.com/8TroZz3Bnx
— All-Star Game (@AllStarGame) July 13, 2016
The pregame ceremony also included children accompanying players during starting lineups and an emotional tribute to the late Tony Gwynn.
Shortly thereafter, the All-Star festivities took an unusual turn during the singing of the national anthems, when one member of the award-winning Tenors quartet held up an "All Lives Matter" sign during his group's rendition of 'O Canada,' which also featured a politicised lyric change.