To celebrate National Anthem Day, let's rank our 10 favorite recent MLB performances

On Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the words that would become "The Star Spangled Banner." On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed the legislation that officially designated the song America's national anthem. And now, during every MLB season, the national anthem is performed 2,430 times -- and that's not counting the postseason.

So yeah, there have been a lot of renditions of "The Star Spangled Banner" over the years. But to celebrate the 84th anniversary of Hoover officially making the national anthem a thing, we're going to narrow it down and rank our recent favorites. The ones that make us feel like picking up a baby and holding our cap over our hearts.

We're sticking to the past few years or so -- definitely this millennium -- but we'd be remiss if we didn't include a few honorable older mentions, such as Meat Loaf's performance at the 1994 All-Star Game:

Or James Earl Jones' a year earlier:

And Mr. Big's at the Japan All-Star Series, because the national anthem is still our national anthem, even if it's performed in a different nation.

And so, by the dawn's early light, here are our 10 favorite national anthem performances in recent history:

10. The Beach Boys (April 11, 2012; Dodger Stadium)

The band that gave us Pet Sounds makes this list purely by default.

9. Metallica (May 3, 2013; AT&T Park)

Patriotism has never been so metal.

8. Kelly Clarkson (Oct. 30, 2010; World Series Game 3)

Kelly Clarkson's great.

7. Members of the Grateful Dead ft. Giants third base coach Tim Flannery (Oct. 14, 2014; 2014 NLCS Game 3)

For checking nearly every box on the "Dad's favorites" list.

6. Carlos Santana (Oct. 25, 2014; World Series Game 4)

Who says you need to sing to deliver a killer rendition?

5. Mary J. Blige (Nov. 4, 2009; World Series Game 6)

The Bronx-born Blige sang the national anthem and roughly three hours later the Yankees clinched the World Series. Probably not a coincidence.

4. Idina Menzel (July 15, 2014; All-Star Game)

Do you hear that note Elsa hits on "rocket's red glare?"

3. John Williams (Oct. 24, 2007; World Series Game 1)

MAESTRO JOHN WILLIAMS.

2. Petrina McCutchen (Oct. 1, 2013; NL Wild Card Game)

In 2013, Petrina's son was named NL MVP. Also in 2013: Petrina sang the national anthem and crushed it. Good year for the McCutchens. 

1. Fenway crowd (April 20, 2013; Fenway Park)

Because that's what America, the national anthem and baseball are all about. 

Well, did we forget any? Do you have a particular favorite rendition?