My favorite singer and my favorite sports team! A two-track CD! A recording officially licensed by Major League Baseball! Somewhat unusual, no?

Ronan Tynan just released a CD titled The Yankees' Tenor. The two songs are "God Bless America," sung a cappella, and Tynan's favorite recording of "Danny Boy."

I've been a fan of Tynan since his days with the Irish Tenors and became an even bigger fan when he went solo. I've been a fan of the New York Yankees for, well, let's just say six-plus decades.

Tynan's relationship with the Yankees began shortly after 9/11 when he sang "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch. Tynan's heart-rending rendition of this almost-national anthem lent an aura of solemnity to the national pastime resumed so soon after the tragedy. Since then he has performed this song in Yankee Stadium many times.

The recording is especially appropriate now for several reasons. The Yankees unveiled their new stadium this year and went on to compile the best record in baseball.

At the time of this writing, the Yankees are still in the playoffs. If they make it to the World Series (or win it) and Ronan Tynan sings "God Bless America" in the stadium again, this CD will become very special to me. Now, if I could just get Ronan Tynan and Derek Jeter to autograph it, how great would that be?

The Yankees' Tenor is available at ronantynan.net.

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