Martha Reeves' off-key anthem dominates pro baseball opener

The inaugural game of the Women's Professional Baseball League on Saturday, August 1, 2026, was a historic moment for the sport, but it was the pregame national anthem that captured national attention. A performance by Motown legend Martha Reeves and two other singers at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, quickly went viral for its chaotic and off-key delivery, overshadowing the Los Angeles Queens' 10-8 comeback victory over the New York Heights.

The 85-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, best known for hits like "Dancing in the Street" with Martha and the Vandellas, led the rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Video from the event showed the singers struggling with timing and pitch, appearing out of sync throughout the performance. The reaction from the crowd of more than 4,000 fans and players on the field was one of visible shock and stifled laughter. A social media post by sports reporter Kendall Baker stating, "Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for the national anthem," was viewed millions of times by Sunday, August 2, sparking widespread commentary.

Online, many viewers compared the performance to other famously panned anthem renditions, with...