Charice Super! Dodgers 11, Giants 1

Of the April 13, 2009, Los Angeles Dodgers home opener, Los Angeles Times sportswriter Dylan Hernandez had this front page account:

“What was the single greatest memory the Dodgers created for the record crowd that witnessed their home opener?

The headfirst slide into third base in the sixth inning that made Orlando Hudson the first Dodger to hit for the cycle in 39 years? The seven dominant innings thrown by Chad Billingsley in his first home opener? The first two home runs of the season for Andre Ethier? The ceremonial first pitch thrown out by Vin Scully and caught by Manager Joe Torre? Teenage singer Charice’s breathtaking rendition of the national anthem?

Monday was one of those days when everything went right for the Dodgers, as they dismantled the San Francisco Giants, 11-1, in front of what the club said was a crowd of 57,099 fans — the greatest single-game attendance for any baseball game played in Dodger Stadium’s 47-year history.”

Los Angeles Times columnist T. J. Simmers mentioned the reaction of the Dodgers’ catcher and manager:

“It was the best national anthem rendition I have ever heard, better than the game,” Russell Martin says later of 16-year-old Charice, “tears in my eyes when she really gets going,” Manager Joe Torre says.

At a major sports event when the locals were passed over in favor of a 16-year-old Filipina to do the honors of leading the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, need we say more?