The national anthem sung by Martha Reeves and two other older ladies at the first-ever Women’s Professional Baseball League game is going viral for all the wrong reasons.
Martha Reeves, a singer known for being part of the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas and hits like “Dancing in the Streets” and “Nowhere to Run,” and her two elderly backup singers, performed one of the most, uh, unique versions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” ever presented.
In fact, the performance was so unique (read: terrible) that various clips of it have been watched tens of millions of times on social media and far overshadowed what was actually a nice debut for the Women’s Professional Baseball League.
It really defied explanation. You really have to hear it to fully understand why.
While the action on the field at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois on Saturday did not disappoint, a 10-8 come-from-behind victory by the Los Angeles Queens and former Little League legend Mo’ne Davis over the New York Heights, it was the national anthem that has been drawing all of the attention.
The Women’s Professional Baseball League national anthem has drawn thousands of comments
“Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for the national anthem at the first Women’s Pro Baseball League tonight,” one comment read.
“Martha Reeves and the backup crew just committed a hate crime against the National Anthem,” another X user wrote. “What should’ve been a proud, powerful moment at a baseball game turned into a strained, off-key mess that made the flag look embarrassed.”
“Fergie genuinely might be dethroned after this. Like when I first tuned I could not believe this was happening. And the cuts to the players and audience trying to keep it together was KILLING me,” someone else wrote.
Martha Reeves is aware of all of the jokes and criticism
“Having just celebrated my 85th birthday, I’ve learned a great deal over more than 60 years of performing live,” Martha Reeves told TMZ, adding, “It was an incredible honor to be invited to perform at the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League event and to help celebrate such a historic moment for women in sports. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
She also said, “The field conditions were wet and windy, and without stage monitors I wasn’t able to hear myself as I normally would. While it wasn’t the performance I had hoped for, I’m grateful to have been there in support of these remarkable athletes and this groundbreaking league.”