Flashback Friday: Geddy Lee Sings ‘O Canada’ at the 1993 MLB All-Star Game

The Blue Jays may not have a more high-profile fan than Geddy Lee. The lead vocalist, bassist and keyboardist for Rush has long been a devout supporter of the Blue Jays. He can often be spotted at Jays games behind home plate. Heck, Geddy even jammed with Dave Stieb back in the day.

On the eve of Canada’s sesquicentennial, I can’t think of a more Canadian vocalist than Geddy.  And while he may not sing the anthem at tomorrow’s Canada Day Game at the Rogers Centre, Lee has performed O Canada on the world stage: at the 1993 All-Star Game.

With the 88th Midsummer Classic right around the corner, why not reminisce with this anthem performance by Geddy Lee? He took the mic in Baltimore just prior to the 1993 All-Star Game at Camden Yards.

 
Although Geddy Lee’s performance went off without a hitch, the Blue Jays stirred up some controversy ahead of the 1993 Midsummer Classic. The defending World Champions sent seven total players to the game – four of them selected by the American League All-Star manager himself: Cito Gaston.

This game featured the infamous incident in which Mike Mussina warmed up in the bullpen in the eighth inning, totally unprovoked, even though Cito Gaston opted not to use Mussina in the game and instead handed the ball to his closer: Duane Ward.

Mussina, being a Baltimore native, apparently took this as a slight. It also irked Orioles fans as well, which undoubtedly spawned the “Cito Sucks” movement. But hey, at least Geddy Lee was there to perform the anthem.