When the Series moved to Boston for Game 4, the Red Sox followed the Cubs’ lead, but moved the playing of the Anthem to the pregame festivities. The crowd, already standing, joined in a spontaneous sing-along. The other players on the field followed suit, in “civilian” fashion (stood and put their right hands over their hearts). During the seventh inning stretch of Game 1 of the World Series, the military band on hand struck the first notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Red Sox third baseman Fred Thomas, who was playing in the Series while on furlough from the Navy, immediately faced the flag and snapped to attention with a military salute. The government began drafting major league baseball players for military service. The U.S had entered into World War I 17 months earlier and the public mood at home was sullen and anxious. But it wasn’t until the first game of the World Series in 1918 that the anthem and sporting event game day tradition began. History records various sporting events in which “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played dating from the mid-1800s.
Originally written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, the National Anthem’s wartime roots are unmistakable – but it took over 100 years for “The Star-Spangled Banner” to become a part of the game day ritual. During Salute to Service, the NFL uses military challenge coins during the coin flip prior to NFL games. Gradually, this practice spread to other military units…and eventually to non-military organizations. After the pilot was reunited with his squadron, its leader made it a tradition for all members to carry their coins at all times. One of the Frenchmen recognized the insignia and delayed the execution until the pilot’s identity was confirmed. Without identification, the pilot was assumed to be a saboteur. The pilot escaped and, after a time, was picked up by a French patrol on the lookout for German saboteurs. When this pilot was shot down behind enemy lines, he was made to forfeit his personal belongings.
One pilot kept his “coin” with him at all times. One of the most popular starts in WWI when an American lieutenant gave bronze medallions to his fellow pilots as mementos of their service together. There are several stories detailing the origins of the challenge coin.
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