Former Boston Red Sox teammates Matt Strahm and Cutter Crawford found themselves in a National Anthem standoff over the weekend during the Phillies and Red Sox series at Citizens Bank Park. 

Anthem standoffs involve players on opposing teams standing their ground, competing to be the last player left on the field after the National Anthem is played. 

Unfortunately, like with everything else fun and holy about Major League Baseball, the new rules, specifically the pitch clock has now killed another part of America’s past time. 

Since the pitch-clock is now strictly enforced, both Crawford and Strahm were ejected from the Red Sox – Phillies game and fined by the league for not leaving the field after the umpire issued a warning. 

Kutter Crawford and Matt Strahm National Anthem Standoff

To make things worse, since Kutter Crawford was on the 15-day injured list, the 27-year old right handed pitcher was fined extra, which isn’t ideal for a player who’s on a pre-arbitration contract. 

Luckily for Crawford, his teammate Chris Sale decided to pick up the fine for him after the two both attended Florida Gulf Coast University. 

For Matt Strahm, here’s what he had to say about the fine and ejected following the game on Saturday. 

Matt Strahm on National Anthem Standoff

Just another example of the pitch clock and really, any of the MLB’s new rules that were designed to attract a bigger and younger audience, getting in their own way. 

Why doesn’t the league offices understand that these types of videos are a gold mine for social media where the same audience they want to attract spend the majority of their free time? 

An old fashioned National Anthem standoff is good for baseball. Much like standing ovations, walk-up songs, and yes giving the stars of the league an extra few seconds on the base paths to put on an arm brace after spending only 160 days recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

The Philadelphia Phillies will open up a three-game series tonight at Citizens Bank Park against the Toronto Blue Jays. 

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