A Canadian singer has been suspended from an operatic quartet after he changed the lyrics to his country’s anthem and held up a sign reading ‘All Lives Matter’ during a pre-game performance at Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game.

Tenor Who Sang ‘All Lives Matter’ During Canadian National Anthem At All-Star Game Suspended

The singer, later identified as Remigio Pereira by the rest of the group, and his three fellow Tenors were singing ‘O Canada’ at San Diego’s Petco Park when he made a controversial statement that outraged supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The other members of The Tenors apologized and distanced themselves from Pereira, calling him a ‘lone wolf’ and announcing he will not be performing with them ‘until further notice’.

Per The Score, Pereira replaced the lyric “with glowing hearts we see thee rise/the True North strong and free” with “we’re all brothers and sisters/all lives matter to the brave.”

‘I don’t think we can see ourselves performing with Remigio again,’ said group member Fraser Walters in an interview with CBC News.

Walters said he was sorry the anthem was ‘compromised’ and insisted Pereira took it upon himself to ‘take a political stand.’ He and the rest of the group said Pereira made the change without their knowledge.

The back of Pereira’s sign read “United We Stand.” The change happened during the middle portion of the anthem, which is frequently performed in French at sporting events.

Video of the incident shows the other three members wordlessly harmonizing the anthem as Pereira sings the altered lyrics.

The group issued an apology on Twitter later in the evening:

“The Tenors are deeply sorry for the disrespectful and misguided lack of judgment by one member of the group acting as a “lone wolf” today during the singing of the Canadian national anthem at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego.

The other members of the group are shocked and embarrassed by the actions of Remigio Pereira, who changed the lyrics of our treasured anthem and used this coveted platform to serve his own political views.

Our sincere apologies and regrets go out to everybody who witnessed this shameful act, to our fellow Canadians, to Major League Baseball, to our friends, families, fans and to all those affected.

The actions of one member of this group were extremely selfish, and he will not be performing with The Tenors until further notice.”

The phrase ‘All Lives Matter’ has become a common online response in recent months to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, particularly after the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile last week.

The phrase has received heavy criticism from people who claim it serves to undermine the specific struggles faced by black people.

Pereira, who was born in Boston and raised in Ottawa, said in a statement on Facebook that he wasn’t attempting to subdue Black Lives Matter.

‘I’ve been so moved lately by the tragic loss of life and I hoped for a positive statement that would bring us ALL together,’ he wrote. ‘ONE LOVE. That was my singular motivation when I said all lives matter. I am disturbed that people would attribute anything other than the purist of intentions to my actions.’

He was also met with criticism and ridicule for previous Facebook posts which supported the conspiracy theory that the Earth is flat. The posts have since been deleted.

Many fans at Petco Park reacted with surprise at the lyric change and sign held up by Pereira.

While the Canadian anthem wasn’t shown live on US television it did air in Canada, where social media immediately blew up with harsh criticism of the change.

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 12: The Tenors, musicians based in British Columbia, perform ‘O Canada’ prior to the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Coming out of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game, the story lines have been etched in stone: David Ortiz says goodbye, again. The Kansas City Royals have really good players and a Canadian tenor is treading in hot water after proclaiming his social stance during his performance of “O’ Canada.”

Lost in the celebration’s for Sally P. (Salvador Perez) and ASG MVP Eric Hosmer was how Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado cost the National League a shot at home field advantage in October.

OPINION: Nolan Arenado Just Cost NL Home-Field Advantage In World Series

With the N.L. trailing the A.L. 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Arenado stepped to the plate representing the game’s tying run.

Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy grinded out a long at-bat before serving one back through the box for a base hit.

With Murphy on first and one out, Arenado turned one over to Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson, who started a 5-4-3, around-the-horn double-play.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the play was routine, and even from this video it is difficult to surmise where Arenado mis-stepped.

But after reviewing the replay of Fox’s broadcast (like a hundred times) it is impossible to deny that Arenado was dogging it up the line.

FINAL OUT(S) OF 2016 MLB ALL-STAR GAME

Arenado appears confused at first, moving at a snail’s pace out of the box. Then about two-thirds of the way down the first baseline he stops.

John Smoltz, a Hall of Fame pitcher and color-man for Fox’s broadcast of the ASG, intimated that he believed Arenado looked like he lost track of how many outs there were and when Donaldson fired to second, Smoltz speculated that the Rockies third baseman thought that was the ballgame.

It wasn’t.

And that’s why the “Respect 90” campaign, launched by Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon, wages on.

During spring training, Maddon made a point to players that he wanted them to bust it down the first baseline as a means to putting good ju-ju into the atmosphere.

“It really is the message I want to get out there,” Maddon said. “I believe if we respect that 90 feet every day, a lot of good things are going to happen here.”

Not so coincidentally, it could be Maddon’s Cubs that suffer the consequences of Arenado’s error.

Chicago owns the best record in baseball and stand as a 4/1 favorite to reach the World Series.

But due to one Rockie’s half-hearted effort to climb up the first baseline, the Cubbies, and all other N.L. teams vying for a pennant, will play the majority of their games on the road should they reach the mountaintop.

Plenty of people think the rule is dumb.

“How could you decide something so important within an exhibition game?”

Easy. Remember 2002 in Milwaukee, when the game ended in a tie because neither team had any players left on the bench to continue, and it kinda just … ended?

No, maybe you know it better as the Torii Hunter game? When he robbed Barry Bonds of a home run early on and Bonds lifted Hunter into the air as he ran off the field.

TORII HUNTER ROBS BARRY BONDS OF HR IN 2002 ALL-STAR GAME

Well former Commissioner Bud Selig remembers, and by extension, so does Major League Baseball. And neither of them ever want to look that awkward on camera again.

So Arenado having a brainfart halfway out of the batter’s box carries a little more weight than just “the integrity of the game.”

I am certainly not alone in this critique.

Acclaimed baseball writer Peter King tweeted “Way to run, Nolan Arenado.”

Arenado is a fine player. Maybe even better than that considering the entire sports media world has been calling him “the most underrated” player in the game.

But if you’re a fan of an N.L. team, knowing the team with home-field has won six of the last seven World Series, you would almost rather who is overrated … and runs out ground balls.

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz gave one final pre-game speech before his last Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego Tuesday night.

David Ortiz Inspires AL Teammates With Speech Before MLB All-Star Game

The 10-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion has a .332 batting average and 22 home runs, so it came as no surprise that all eyes and ears were trained on him as he delivered his speech in the American League clubhouse at Petco Park.

“The one thing I can tell you guys about having a great career at this level is the fact that everyday, everyday you got to bring something to the table for your ballclub,” Ortiz said prior to the Midsummer Classic, his final appearance. “It doesn’t matter how you feel — sometimes you’re not gonna feel 100 percent to do it, but the most important thing is the mindset. Those days that your mind tells you, ‘Hey, you can’t go,’ you say, ‘Yes I can.’ That’s what makes the difference.”

Here is the full speech by Ortiz, aka ‘Big Papi.’

“Tonight, let’s go out there and whoop some ass,” Ortiz said at the end of his spiel.

The 40-year-old Dominican, who will retire after the season, recalled seeing legendary players like Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter make pre-game speeches in years past and how it made him emotional.

Ortiz has been known for giving several inspiring speeches himself, including one at Fenway Park just days after the Boston marathon bombings in April 2013.

“It’s extremely hard to get here. You don’t get to the All-Star Game just because you have a good name,” Ortiz said Tuesday. “That’s not how it works. You look at the stats on the board; everybody has pretty good numbers.

“You have to look at your career. It’s a wonderful career but it takes a lot of work.”

He and fellow Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts all contributed to the American League’s 4-2 victory over the National League on Tuesday night, the fourth straight win for the AL.

If the Red Sox advance to the World Series, they’ll benefit by having home-field advantage.

“It was special. It was from the heart. It had a lot of passion,” said Bradley. “I’ve seen him talk like that before. He shared that he wants the game to get better. He wants the torch passed down.”

 Ortiz has been with the Red Sox since 2003. Before that, he spent five years with the Minnesota Twins, with whom he made his Major League debut on September 2, 1997. He won all three of his World Series (2004, 2007, 2013) with Boston, and was also the World Series MVP in 2013.

BOSTON, MA – JULY 06: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during the game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park on July 6, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Kansas City Royals Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez both homered in a three-run second inning to power the American League to a 4-2 victory over the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego.

Royals Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez Lead AL To 4-2 Win Over NL In 2016 All-Star Game

The AL also sent off Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz with a win in his final All-Star Game. Hosmer added an RBI single in the third inning and became the first Royal since Bo Jackson in 1989 to receive MVP honors.

“This whole week, this whole San Diego All-Star Game has been unbelievable,” Hosmer said. “It’s a dream come true, and it kind of felt like my first big league homer right there. It was special.”

It was no surprise the Royals first baseman felt that way. Hosmer’s solo homer to left field off San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto in the bottom of the second came in the first All-Star at-bat of his life. Two batters later, Perez became the first catcher in Royals history to score a homer in an All-Star Game, blasting a high two-run bomb to left field.

Indians right-hander Corey Kluber pitched a perfect second to earn the win for the AL, which has now won four consecutive All-Star Games. Kluber also became the first Cleveland pitcher to win an All-Star Game since now-Mets ace Bartolo Colon in 1998.

Chicago Cub Kris Bryant gave the NL a lead in the first, firing a solo shot off the scoreboard beyond the left-field first deck. Miami’s Marcell Ozuna added an RBI single to center field off Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez in the fourth to plate Buster Posey and cut the deficit to two runs. However, the AL bullpen didn’t falter after that.

In the top of the eighth, Astros right-hander Will Harris punched out Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz with the bases loaded to keep the AL ahead by two. Orioles lefty Zach Britton then worked a smooth ninth to record the save.

“It’s baseball; we face All-Stars all the time,” Harris said. “It’s no different. You just want to do your job, and now the game counts for so much. With home-field advantage, there’s a little bit extra on the line which makes it that much more fun.”

Britton got Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado to ground into a game-ending double play to seal the win for the AL.

Ortiz, a 40-year-old 10-time All-Star, smacked a ball to first base in the top of the first that was deftly picked up by the Cubs’s Anthony Rizzo. This was the only official at-bat of the night for the Dominican Red Sox slugger. He walked in the third and was removed for a pinch-runner to a loud ovation from both fans and players. Ortiz, who is batting .332 and leads the Majors in on-base percentage and slugging, will retire after the season.

“It’s something that I’ll never forget, when you see all your boys,” Ortiz said of being greeted by his teammates as he left the field. “Pretty much everybody in this dugout has been related to me one way or another.”

Angels center fielder Mike Trout lined a single to center off Cueto in the first to raise his All-Star Game hitting streak to five– and he’s recorded a hit in his first at-bat on all five occasions.

“I’m enjoying it more; I know what I’m going to do,” Trout said of his fifth All-Star experience. “The guys in there do a good job keeping me in the right line, where I’m going at the right time, and I just try to enjoy every minute of it. This time it went so fast.”

Fan-favorite Wil Myers of the Padres roped a two-out double in the fifth, making him the first player to record an extra-base hit in a hometown All-Star Game since Mariners outfielder Mike Cameron did so in 2001. One inning earlier, lefty Drew Pomeranz threw a scoreless fourth and left to a standing ovation.

“The fans were just going crazy since we’re here in our home city,” Pomeranz said. “Especially when they announced both of us. It was pretty awesome. It’s pretty special to have your first one anywhere, but even more so here.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXLF4fAzl-c

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 12: Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas City Royals and the American League rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the National League in the 2nd inning of the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler withdrew from Tuesday’s All-Star Game over the weekend, according to several reports.

Dexter Fowler Withdraws From All-Star Game After Hamstring Injury

This would have been Fowler’s first All-Star Game, but he has chosen not to play in order to give himself more time to recover from a strained hamstring, according to MLB.com.

The center fielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 20 with a right hamstring injury. He was injured while running out a grounder to third in the first inning of the Cubs’ 4-3 home victory over the Pirates on June 18.

Fowler, 30, was sitting at a. 290 before his injury.

“The word I got back was he didn’t feel anything other than he couldn’t push it,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said regarding Fowler’s decision to not re-aggravate his injury by participating in the All-Star Game.

He began a rehab assignment Friday at Class A South Bend, according to MLB.com. Although Fowler will not play, he will still travel to Petco Park in San Diego and partake in the All-Star Game festivities along with the six other Cubs also named to the National League team: second baseman Ben Zobrist, third baseman Kris Bryant, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Addison Russell, right-handed pitcher Jake Arrieta, and left-handed pitcher Jon Lester. 

Pirates outfielder Starling Marte and Reds outfielder Jay Bruce have been named to the NL team to replace Fowler and Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. 

Fowler received the most votes among National League outfielders: 2,230,877.

The NL starting lineup also includes Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper, Padres designated hitter Wil Myers, Giants catcher Buster Posey, Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna, Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez and Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto. 

Meanwhile, the American League starting lineup boasts Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Angels center fielder Mike Trout, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, Royals catcher Salvador Perez, Red Sox left fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and White Sox left-hander Chris Sale. 

The All-Star Game will begin at 8 pm on Tuesday night and will air on FOX.

PHOTO: CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 29: Dexter Fowler #24 of the Chicago Cubs smiles as he jogs to first base after taking a walk against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night saw a brilliant final-round matchup at Petco Park in San Diego: Chicago White Sox third baseman and defending champion Todd Frazier and Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Giancarlo Stanton Defeats Todd Frazier In All-Star HR Derby

Stanton, 26, ultimately hit 20 homers in the final round to defeat Frazier, who hit 13.

Over the Derby’s three rounds, the Marlins slugger hit a record 61, shattering the single-night mark of 41 by Bobby Abreu in 2005. Stanton’s impressive shots hit the top level of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner and the top of the batter’s eye in center field. He blasted several balls just below the giant scoreboard high-atop the left-field stands and many others over the bullpens in left-center.

“For sure being on the West Coast and taking the flight out here just for this, you know. I figure it’s a waste if I don’t bring this bad boy home,” Stanton said, hoisting the trophy.

The three-time All-Star is not on the NL roster for Tuesday night’s game at Petco Park after batting .233 with 20 homers and 50 RBIs before the break.

In the final round, 11 of Stanton’s homers surpassed the 440-foot mark. In total, 64 percent (39) of them traveled over 440 feet.

His longest shot was estimated at 497 feet. He hit the eight longest homers of the competition and 20 of the 21 deepest drives.

Stanton led all players last season with an average exit velocity of 98.5 mph– nearly 4 mph ahead of everyone else.

So far in 2016, Stanton is tied for fourth (95.0 mph) and has the six highest single exit velocities recorded.

Although he said he didn’t swing as hard as he generally does during games, there were times when the adrenaline kicked in.

“I’d say I stuck at about 80, 90%,” Stanton said. “When I got a few in a row, I think I kinda bump it up five or 10 percent more when I get ‘em.”

The slugger will have a chance to defend his title at home next year when the Marlins host the All-Star Game.

“That is where I got my childhood memories, watching the Home Run Derby as a kid,” said Stanton, who’s from Los Angeles. “Maybe some kids are watching me. I would like to return that.”

Stanton is baseball’s highest-paid player with a $325 million, 13-year deal. His new hitting coach is home run king Barry Bonds.

Frazier, who is not on this year’s AL All-Star team, was a hometown winner last year with the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded to the White Sox in December.

Stanton, the No. 5 seed in the Derby, hit 24 homers in the first round to eliminate Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (seven) and 17 in the semifinals to knock out Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo (14).

Frazier hit 13 in the first round to beat Carlos Gonzalez (12) of the Colorado Rockies, and 16 in the semifinals to eliminate Adam Duvall (15) of the Cincinnati Reds.

Trumbo, who leads the majors with 28 homers, had two of the most impressive shots of the night, off the scoreboard in left field and onto the top of the Western Metal Building in his semifinal matchup against Stanton.

Full results

First round

No. 1 Mark Trumbo (16 home runs) def. No. 8 Corey Seager (15 HR)

No. 5 Giancarlo Stanton (24 HR) def. No. 4 Robinson Cano (7 HR)

No. 3 Adam Duvall (11 HR) def. No. 6 Wil Myers (10 HR)

No. 2 Todd Frazier (13 HR) def. No. 7 Carlos Gonzalez (12 HR)

Semifinals

Stanton (17 HR) def. Trumbo (14 HR)

Frazier (16 HR) def. Duvall (15 HR)

Final

Stanton (20 HR) def. Frazier (13 HR)

PHOTO: SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 11: Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins competes during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at PETCO Park on July 11, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

With Major League Baseball’s All-Star Weekend just two weeks away, New Era has rolled out some new fitteds to mark the festivities in San Diego.

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Here’s a fresh new look for Mets fans. This 2016 All-Star Edition of New Era’s 39THIRTY line already has the royal blue associated with the Metropolitans franchise. The muted charcoal bill is extremely fashionable and a nice touch to ensure you stay cool during the hot summer months. The mesh cap and flex-fit sizing makes this an easy buy for parents, kids and siblings.  And at $31.99, it is more than affordable. Get It Here!

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Everyone wanted one of those dull-brown and mustard-colored Padres caps from the 70s and 80s when they were recently released by hat stores the world over. Now you can take that magic and slap your team’s name on the front. At $29.99 this custom throwback is destined for your hat rack. Get It Here!

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