Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 27, 1990 TAG: 9007270336
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN DIEGO LENGTH: Medium
Still, many people said Thursday that Roseanne Barr was a disgrace for her shrill rendition of the national anthem at a National League baseball doubleheader and a crude on-field gesture afterward.
Thursday, her spokesman, Chris Hamblin, tried to make amends for the incident. "Roseanne certainly meant no offense to any of the fans or viewers of the San Diego Padres game Wednesday night," he said. "She would like to apologize to anyone who took such offense."
She sang "as well as she could," he continued. "Are only those people with great voices allowed to sing the national anthem? Those who booed showed how truly un-American they are by not singing along. The gesture at the end was meant as a parody of a baseball player, directed only at the Padres themselves. It was not meant as any disrespect to the national anthem."
Officials of ABC-TV, which carries the "Roseanne" show, declined to comment on the incident or whether it would affect the television career of the 37-year-old star.
Barr, who had said last week that she wouldn't be trying for laughs when she sang the national anthem, plugged her ears with her hands at the start of the song, then gave a wailing rendition.
When the boos rose, Barr grabbed herself and spat on the ground.
In the stands during a World Series game in Oakland last fall, Barr bared her bottom, revealing a tattoo declaring "Tom" - her husband, Tom Arnold.
"They knew what kind of singer she is. She's just an average singer. She's not an opera singer," Arnold said Thursday from the couple's Malibu home. "She did the best she could."
Barr, who wouldn't come to the telephone, was troubled by the criticism, he said.
"She's very sorry. She's very upset that people think she meant disrespect. We weren't trying to disrespect that song at all," Arnold said.
Noting the Padres won both games, Arnold added: "I think they should have her back every night. But we know that won't happen with all this grief."
Tom Werner, who became the chairman and managing partner of the Padres this season, also is the co-creator and executive producer of "Roseanne."
He met privately with Padres officials for 45 minutes Wednesday night and then refused to talk to reporters directly. Repeated messages left at his Los Angeles office went unanswered Thursday.
Padres officials said they fielded about 1,200 calls Thursday, mostly complaints.
The team issued an apology:
"The Padres recognize their obligation to ensure that the national anthem is sung with respect and dignity. It is apparent we did not do our part because many fans were offended both by the rendition and Roseanne's gestures. To those fans, we apologize and make the commitment that in the future we will strive to see the anthem is presented with the dignity it is due."
National League President Bill White said: "We have discussed it with the Padres and are in agreement with their apology. We are satisfied that they will take all necessary steps to assure it will not happen again."
Opera star Robert Merrill, who has sung the national anthem in New York's Yankee Stadium for 18 years, was among those appalled by Barr's performance.
"This woman, who obviously has no taste at all, went out to sing the national anthem and distorted the song," he said.
"It was to me like burning of the flag. It was like, `Here I am and to hell with you.' It was a complete mockery and outlandish."
Merrill, who also has sung the anthem for nine U.S. presidents, added: "She's a disgrace. Did you see what she did when she walked off? I almost upchucked my dinner. I was ill to my stomach. I don't know if I've ever felt that angry.
"It isn't good for baseball. Baseball is like apple pie, Cracker Jacks and peanuts. It's the national pastime. This is a national disgrace."
About 30,000 people attended the doubleheader at Jack Murphy Stadium. The club promoted the twin bill as "Working Women's Night."
"I was embarrassed for the women who showed up," said spectator Jannette Davis of San Diego. "This was supposed to be a night of saluting those who worked hard and she made us all feel like crap."
Said Padres pitcher Eric Show: "I can't believe it happened. It's an insult. There are people who died for that song. Our national anthem exemplifies a lot of things."
Some information in this article came from The Baltimore Sun.
by CNB