It was 1968. The assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy had already shaken Americans to the core. 300 American soldiers were being killed each week in Vietnam, and protesters were beaten near the Democratic National Convention. In that wrenching year, the nation needed a timeout. The 1968 World Series would provide that break. More than 53,000 fans jammed Tiger Stadium, hoping their team could rally after trailing the Cardinals three games to one. Before the first pitch of game five, they removed their hats and rose from their seats to hear the most memorable and controversial performance of the national anthem in the history of American sports. MismatchPodcast.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices