CHICAGO — Lamar Johnson carried out the nationwide anthem previous to Recreation 1 of a doubleheader between his White Sox and the Athletics on June 19, 1977, at Comiskey Park.
Even for an completed participant similar to Johnson, who spent eight of his 9 large league seasons with the White Sox and hit 64 profession dwelling runs and 122 doubles with a .754 OPS, this was a uncommon however not unheard-of occasion. Adam Wainwright, Luke Berryhill, Barry Zito and Steven Brault are gamers who tackled “The Star-Spangled Banner,” whereas Bernie Williams nonetheless delivers charming variations on his guitar.
However right here’s the place particular circumstances work their means in for Johnson, who at 74, is having fun with retirement along with his household and grandkids. Not solely did Johnson produce a memorable rendition that day, however he hit two solo dwelling runs in a 2-1 victory.
The truth is, the White Sox had three whole hits off Mike Norris and Bob Lacey, and Johnson’s leadoff double within the seventh accomplished the person trifecta. It’s of little marvel his White Sox teammates advisable Johnson do the anthem once more … and once more, with baseball gamers typically being a superstitious group not prepared to mess with success.
“Oh, they talked about that for the remainder of the 12 months. You understand how guys are. They mentioned, ‘You must sing the anthem each night time.’” mentioned Johnson with fun throughout a latest cellphone interview. “That must be the spotlight as a result of singing the anthem was one factor, however then going out and [performing] like that, it simply put icing on the cake.”
How did Johnson go from a primarily on a regular basis White Sox participant and a part of the long-lasting South Facet Hitmen with Richie Zisk, Oscar Gamble, Ralph Garr, Chet Lemon, Eric Soderholm and Jorge Orta in ’77 to a short lived musical virtuoso? In keeping with an Related Press story from that day, White Sox pitcher Bart Johnson talked to proprietor Invoice Veeck’s secretary in regards to the chance. Lamar Johnson remembers a lady from the division run by Mike Veeck, who went to work for his dad in 1976, approaching him — adopted by back-and-forth conversations — and deciding on June 19.
This choice was removed from random. Johnson typically sang across the clubhouse after being a part of the choir at Wenonah Excessive Faculty in Birmingham, Ala., and having a task in his faculty’s manufacturing of “Guys and Dolls.”
“I didn’t have one of many main components, however I used to be in there and I did about three or 4 songs,” mentioned Johnson, who was the understudy for the lead character of Sky Masterson. “On the time, I used to be enjoying baseball, so I couldn’t be there for all of the rehearsals. However it was lots of enjoyable.”
Johnson’s nationwide anthem additionally occurred to come back on Father’s Day, which held further that means. His dad, Robin, by no means had an opportunity to see him play as an enormous leaguer, as he tragically died in a automobile accident three years earlier. As an enormous baseball fan, Johnson is aware of the entire day would have been one thing his father treasured.
Most of the gamers’ kids had been in attendance for the Father’s Day doubleheader, together with Johnson’s three youngsters. They had been enjoying with their pals and people different youngsters on the staff, in order that they didn’t actually notice their dad was singing till rising older.
The White Sox claimed a 5-1 victory in Recreation 2, enhancing to 35-27 total with the sweep. Johnson completed 1-for-4 within the nightcap with one run scored, however his time on the plate or within the area had nothing nerves-wise on his anthem efficiency, which Johnson practiced repeatedly at dwelling.
“Oh, terrified. The factor that terrifies you is, please don’t neglect the phrases,” Johnson mentioned. “That’s the half that will get you. Doing the track was OK. I simply didn’t wish to neglect the phrases.
“Yeah, I obtained by way of it OK and breathed a sigh of aid and obtained a blessing after that. We gained the sport, 2-1, and my dwelling runs had been the distinction in us successful that sport.”
With the White Sox celebrating the franchise’s a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary in the course of the 2025 season, it might solely make sense to ask Johnson again for an additional nationwide anthem efficiency. Johnson chuckled on the concept.
“No extra anthems. No extra anthems. That’s it,” Johnson mentioned. “I’m only a spectator now.”
A spectator who loved practically a decade as a participant, one other 34 years teaching for the Brewers, Royals, Mariners and Mets, and one afternoon as a Main League singer.
“There was nothing prefer it,” Johnson mentioned. “As you’re going by way of it, you don’t notice how a lot enjoyable it was till after you’re performed enjoying. Once I began teaching, that’s once I realized ‘Wow, hey, you probably did OK.’”
