Yankees, Reds Players Have Patriotic Fourth Of July National Anthem Standoff

Don’t ever accuse the New York Yankees or Cincinnati Reds of not being sufficiently patriotic.

The Yankees and Reds played a three-game series at Yankee Stadium this week, and concluded it with an afternoon game in the Bronx. And, as only fitting for the Fourth of July and America’s Independence Day, players from both teams refused to leave the field or put their hat back after the National Anthem in a patriotic stand off.

What started with four players whittled down to two from the Yankees, pitchers Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet, and Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft. For several minutes after the Anthem, both sets of players stood in front of their respective dugouts, refusing to go back and sit down.

While initially seeming supportive, Yankees manage Aaron Boone finally had enough and called his players back into the dugout. Leading immediately to celebrations, applause and congratulations for Ashcraft from the Reds dugout.

It was a sign of things to come for the Yankees. 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 04: A detailed view of an Independence Day themed third base before the game between the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium on July 04, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Yankees Lose Battle Of Patriotism, Game, And Series Thursday

The Reds had already won the series entering Thursday, winning two tightly fought games, 5-4 and 3-2 on Tuesday and Wednesday. But after Ashcraft stayed out longer than his Yankees adversaries, confirming his superior patriotism, Thursday’s result was all but guaranteed.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 04: A detailed view of the cleats of Spencer Steer #7 of the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning  against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 04, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Reds jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning thanks to a Nick Martini home run. And they didn’t stop scoring. Jonathan India hit another homer in the 3rd, followed by a three-run homer for Spencer Steer that opened the lead to 5-0. The Yankees tried to claw their way back with two homers in the fifth inning, including the first career shot for rookie Ben Rice. 

But a three-run Jake Fraley triple in the seventh inning extended the lead to six, and the Reds closed out an easy 8-4 win to complete the sweep. It was the second victory of the day, and the second most important after putting up a patriotic W before the game even started.