Major League Baseball fans have heavily criticized famous Broadway actress Betsy Wolfe for her rendition of the National Anthem before the New York Yankees Opening Day game.
Wolfe has performed the National Anthem previously at New York baseball games, with her voice so acclaimed that she has been nominated for a Tony Award.
Yankees fans saw her appearing to look at her phone for the lyrics to the Star-Spangled Banner, an odd choice for someone capable of remembering the words to an entire Broadway production.
Wolfe’s rendition aired live on YES Network, before the game transferred to ESPN for the showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The ‘& Juliet’ star did not mess up any of the words to the anthem. That was not enough for the tough Bronx crowd.
Here is some of the reaction to Wolfe’s National Anthem from social media.
MLB fans have criticized Broadway actress Betsy Wolfe for her National Anthem performance
Yankees fans saw her appearing to look at her phone for the lyrics to the Star-Spangled Banner
‘Who ever singing the anthem for the Yankees game gotta be embarrassed,’ one baseball fan said on X.
‘The young lady singing the national anthem at the #Yankees game is reading the lyrics off of her phone….YIKES #OpeningDay,’ another MLB fan said on social media.
‘Worst sober national anthem maybe,’ a third said, with a throwback to Ingrid Andress’ National Anthem before the Home Run Derby last season.
‘I hate to be mean but if that anthem wasn’t a bad omen I don’t know what it was? #Yankees,’ a fourth stated.
‘Wow! How Embarrassing Singing of National Anthem for Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. And she also Needed her Cell Phone to Remember the Words. Really! Is this the Best You Could Get/Afford for Opening Day? @Yankees,’ a fifth concluded.
A collection of messages about Betsy Wolfe’s national anthem before the Yankees game
The Yankees’ fortunes were not doomed immediately after Wolfe’s anthem, as the team held the lead over the Brewers through the sixth inning of Thursday’s afternoon tilt.
Wolfe is also famous for starring in ‘Waitress’, ‘The Last Five Years’, ‘Falsettos’, and ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ in New York City.
Wolfe posted about her experience singing the National Anthem on Thursday, showing herself and her daughter getting ready for her time in the spotlight.
Wolfe nor the Yankees have shown any disapproval for the Broadway star’s performance.
