Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez turned a citizenship ceremony into a headline‑making moment, sparking a patriotic celebration from his teammates. His return to the diamond after the oath drew immediate on‑field fireworks.
Patriotic Walk‑Up Song
After Suárez missed two early‑September games to take the United States naturalization test, his teammates changed his walk‑up song to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA (I’m Proud To Be an American).” The move was captured in a September 4 tweet from the Reds and underscored the team’s support for his new citizenship.
Back in the Lineup
Suárez returned for his first at‑bat as a U.S. citizen on September 5 and immediately launched a three‑run home run, putting the Reds ahead. The blast was his second hit after the oath and confirmed his hot streak continued despite the two‑game absence, a fact highlighted by an MLB tweet on September 5.
Season Context
He entered September with a .852 OPS, six homers and 20 RBIs in August, a surge that made his two‑game hiatus a notable break in a sport that thrives on streaks. The timing of his citizenship test was dictated by the testing schedule, not by team convenience.
Media Reaction
On FOX News’s “The Big Weekend Show,” host Tomi Lahren contrasted Suárez with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, accusing media outlets of favoring protests over patriotic performances. She said coverage focused on Kaepernick’s anthem‑kneeling anniversary rather than celebrating Suárez’s citizenship and on‑field contributions.
